Sports in Brief: Flutie: Auburn's Davis created lasting memory

Chris Davis ran into the end zone and etched his name in college football lore.

Doug Flutie welcomes him to the club.

No. 3 Auburn's Davis turned in one of the most memorable plays of college football history with his 109-yard, last-play return of a missed field goal to beat No. 4 Alabama on Saturday. That comes with being long identified for a single play, like Hail Flutie.

"There's no doubt that he'll always be remembered," said Flutie, the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner who went on to play in the CFL and NFL. "I think the majority of the country are going to remember the great return in the Iron Bowl. I think people in Alabama are going to remember Chris Davis the rest of their lives."

Flutie knows. Nearly three decades later, he's still best remembered by millions of fans for his Hail Mary pass to Gerard Phelan to lift No. 8 Boston College over No. 12 Miami on Nov. 23, 1984.

SKIING The U.S. Ski Team says Lindsey Vonn has been cleared to begin World Cup downhill training.

Vonn is expected to start in Wednesday's first official training session at Lake Louise, Alberta, where she has won 14 races, including three each of the last two years.

SOCCER The new ball for next year's World Cup - called the "Brazuca," in honor of Brazil, of course - was unveiled at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

"Brazuca" has a double meaning, used as a term for Brazilians living abroad, but also as slang to describe national pride.

Manufacturer Adidas says the ball offers "breakthrough innovation" featuring what it calls a "revolutionary six-panel design."

The United States could wind up in a group with powers Brazil, Italy and the Netherlands after FIFA tinkered with its format for Friday's World Cup draw.

- Inquirer wire services