Leading Off

Samardzija, So Good
In a 41--17 victory over No. 19 Penn State in South Bend last Saturday, Notre Dame's senior All-America wide receiver, Jeff Samardzija, snagged a seven-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn to put the fourth-ranked Irish up 13--0. Samardzija finished with six catches for 56 yards.

Bat out of Hell
A bat that slipped out of the hands of Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach terrorized the crowd at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 3. The fan who was struck by the bat (in green T-shirt) suffered a broken rib.

Study Hall
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) did some last-minute play-cramming before taking on the Chiefs on Sunday in Kansas City. The study paid off: In his first game after reconstructive left knee surgery, Palmer connected on 13 of 19 passes for 127 yards in a 23--10 Cincinnati win (page 44).

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