• Five billion people tuned into the American Idol finale last night in what turned out to be a showdown of epic proportions. The masterminds behind the show decided the finale should have a boxing theme to it, with the performances classified by "round." I enjoyed the cross between Hollywood and athletics, although Paula Abdul's cliché criticisms wore me down a little - like tires on an unpaved road.

• We'll see what happens tonight - but if my wife's proclamation that "David Archuleta is like the Beatles, all in one" stands up, David Cook doesn't have much of a shot.

• You know who aren't ready for American Idol? The parents of the Ferris State softball players. At the Division II Festival in Houston, the parents got on stage at a karaoke contest and belted out the Johnny Cash favorite "Ring of Fire." They probably didn't know I had the camera on them, but rest assured, the video will never come down.

• Jill Janke must be floating. The Wisconsin-Eau Claire senior ended her career in dramatic fashion yesterday, blasting a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth to propel the Blugolds to a 4-3 victory over Wisconsin-Whitewater and the Division III national championship. Jenny Ross earned the win on the hill, finishing the year with a 27-2 mark.

• Wake up college football junkies - fall is coming! The 2008-09 bowl game schedule has been announced. Check it out here.

• When Salisbury and Cortland State wage war on Saturday in the Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship, the defending champs will be without the services of Zach Krissoff, who was kicked out of school and tossed off the team after vandalizing numerous homes, vehicles and mailboxes in local neighborhoods. To his credit, Krissoff has accepted the consequences of his actions and has written a letter of apology. While I find Krissoff's actions deplorable, I respect the fact that he's taken responsibility. We can't forget that this is a 22-year-old kid and I hope he gets a second chance somewhere.