On the Sidelines

AFC thrashes NFC in ProBowl\nHONOLULU -- Ricky Williams' first trip to the Pro Bowl was worth the wait.\nThe Miami Dolphins' star running back rushed for 56 yards, scored two touchdowns and forced a fumble on special teams to earn the MVP award in the AFC's 45-20 victory over the NFC on Sunday.\nThe AFC had six interceptions while beating the NFC for its sixth victory in the last seven Pro Bowls.\nStarting quarterback Rich Gannon, the MVP of the regular season and the previous two Pro Bowls, went 12-for-18 for 102 yards and two TDs as the NFL wrapped up its season with another high-scoring, entertaining all-star game.\nWilliams, who led the NFL in rushing after three tough seasons in New Orleans, also caught three passes as the AFC jumped to a 28-6 halftime lead and eliminated the tension -- already minor at best -- from this good-natured exhibition.\nSpartans edge Fighting Illini\nEAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State Spartans sent a reminder to anyone who might have forgotten about them.\nPaul Davis scored a career-high 15 points and Alan Anderson also had 15 as the Spartans rallied from a big first-half deficit to beat No. 13 Illinois 68-65 Sunday.\nMichigan State (12-8, 4-4 Big Ten) has won two straight -- both against ranked teams -- after losing six of eight in its worst slump since 1996-97, Tom Izzo's second season as coach.\nAfter beating the 19th-ranked Hoosiers on Tuesday night, Izzo proclaimed, "We ain't dead yet."\nEls wins Classic\nMELBOURNE, Australia -- The third victory of Ernie Els' terrific season was the most dramatic.\nEls rallied for a 10-stroke deficit in the final two rounds to successfully defend his Heineken Classic title Sunday, posting a one-stroke victory over Nick Faldo and Peter Lonard.\nEls secured his 10th worldwide victory in 13 1/2 months when Lonard missed a 9-foot par putt on the difficult final hole at Royal Melbourne.\nThe British Open champion finished last year with a $2 million win in the Nedbank Challenge in his native South Africa. He then opened this season with consecutive PGA Tour victories in Hawaii and was second last week in the Singapore Masters.