Vick could face more charges in Virginia

Michael Vick’s legal troubles from dogfighting could get even worse.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback faces possible prosecution in Virginia court, where punishment might exceed the maximum five years in prison that could await him in his federal case.

Surry County prosecutor Gerald Poindexter has said he probably will pursue charges against Vick. Poindexter says the case could go before a county grand jury Sept. 25.

Among the state laws Vick could be charged with violating are those against dogfighting and animal cruelty. Both are felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.

“The real question is how much overlap there would be between anything the local prosecutor would charge and what the federal prosecutors charged,” said Linda Malone, a criminal procedure expert and Marshall-Wythe Foundation professor of law at the College of William and Mary. “There are some limitations on duplication.”

Vick, 27, willl enter his federal plea agreement Monday. A government official told the Associated Press that prosecutors will recommend a sentence of one year to 18 months.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hurricanes to end

play at Orange Bowl

Miami will play at Dolphin Stadium starting next year, leaving the historic but decaying Orange Bowl.

University trustees voted to make the move despite the offer of $206 million by city officials to renovate the Orange Bowl.

The Orange Bowl will no longer have a primary tenant -- putting its future in doubt. It has been mentioned as a possible home for the Florida Marlins, who want a facility used only for baseball.

Miami agreed to a 25-year lease and could collect more than $2 million in extra revenue annually by moving to Dolphin Stadium, which will carry a corporate-sponsored name by 2010.

Miami first played at the Orange Bowl in 1937. The Hurricanes won three national championship games there and had an NCAA-record 58-game home winning streak from 1985 through 1994. The stadium also played host to a dozen college national championship games and five Super Bowls.

West Virginia suspended cornerback Ellis Lankster and linebacker J.T. Thomas, two days after they were arrested on suspicion of transferring and receiving a stolen laptop computer.

Michigan tight end Carson Butler was reinstated after being cleared in July of attacking a student on St. Patrick’s Day.

A judge in Bellefonte, Pa., dismissed five of seven charges against Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto for an April off-campus fight. A felony count of criminal trespass and a harassment charge remain. Trial is scheduled for October.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Bradford was chosen to start in Oklahoma’s opener against North Texas, beating out junior Joey Halzle and freshman Keith Nichol.

MISCELLANY

Former NBA player

Griffin killed in collision

Former NBA forward Eddie Griffin died Friday when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in Houston, the Harris County (Texas) medical examiner’s office said.

Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, whose body was badly burned and without identification.

Griffin, the seventh pick in the 2001 NBA draft by Houston, battled alcohol problems and played with three teams before being waived by Minnesota in March.

Lindsay Davenport’s return to tennis after giving birth in June was postponed when her doubles match at the Pilot Pen was bumped because of rain at New Haven, Conn. She and doubles partner Lisa Raymond were rescheduled to play this afternoon.

The NBA chose former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz to oversee a review of its policies regarding gambling and its referees after the Tim Donaghy scandal.

Continental Airlines decided to opt out of the deal that has its name on the home of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the arena’s owner said.

Anderson Silva (19-4) will defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title Oct. 20 in Cincinnati against the man he dethroned last year, Rich Franklin (24-2), UFC officials announced.

-- Lance Pugmire

Rain postponed the NHRA Nationals for a third straight day at Reading, Pa.

Lake Oswego, Ore., defeated Hamilton, Ohio, 6-1, to reach the semifinals of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. Tokyo defeated White Rock, Canada, 7-1, and Maracaibo, Venezuela, beat Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 21-2, before rain postponed play.

ESPN reported nearly 38 million viewers tuned into the telecasts of the X Games 13, held in Los Angeles Aug. 2-5. That’s up 7% from last year, and the average of 1.0 was up 19%.

Christina Rivera was hired as assistant athletic director for academic and student services at UCLA. She came from USC.

PASSINGS

Burr Baldwin, UCLA

football All-American

Burr Baldwin, one of eight former UCLA football players to have his number retired, died Monday of cancer at 85. Baldwin was UCLA’s first consensus All-American as a receiver in 1946. He finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting.