Ex-Buckeye Clarett signs with UFL team

Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett signed a one-year contract with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

Clarett met Monday with team officials and UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue, who gave his blessing.

Clarett was expected to be on the practice field Monday night for his first football activity since he was a bust with the Denver Broncos and spent 3 1/2 years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a Columbus, Ohio, bar, in 2006.

"I am humbled by the opportunity the Omaha Nighthawks have given me and will dedicate myself on and off the field to prove that I can be a valuable member of the team and the Omaha community," Clarett said in a statement. "I am committed to working hard to earn the right for a second chance in football and more importantly in life."

Clarett, who is not scheduled to meet with reporters until Wednesday, went through a private workout and physical Sunday.

"The things you can't coach you can see were there -- footwork, hands, those types of things. And he's in really good physical condition," General Manager Rick Mueller said. "Those were the things that jumped out more than anything else. He's done a pretty good job getting himself in condition to play football."

Clarett, 26, needed a judge's permission to leave Ohio to work out for the Nighthawks. He was allowed to be out of state for 30 days. Mueller said he's confident Clarett will be allowed to stay the entire season in Omaha and won't be barred from traveling to road games.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

WAC wants exit fees from schools The Western Athletic Conference is demanding a $5 million exit fee by Oct. 25 from Fresno State and Nevada, which are bolting to the Mountain West Conference.

WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said the league would sue the universities if they don't pay up. He also said the league won't let the schools leave until after the 2011-12 season.

Fresno State and Nevada were informed of the WAC's hardline stance by letter on Friday. The schools announced Aug. 18 they would join the MWC. Because they didn't announce their decisions prior to a June 30 deadline required by WAC bylaws, neither school can leave for two years unless the league agrees to an early exit.

Missouri back charged with sexual assault

Suspended Missouri running back Derrick Washington was charged with sexually assaulting a former tutor in her apartment over the summer. Assistant Boone County prosecutor Andrea Hayes said a single count of felony deviate sexual assault was filed against Washington, a senior from Raymore, Mo., and the Tigers' rushing leader the past two seasons.

A campus detective's probable cause statement filed Monday says Washington entered the woman's closed bedroom while visiting her roommate and allegedly assaulted the woman while she slept.

AROUND THE HORN

Golf: Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., will be the site for the 2017 PGA Championship, a state government official with knowledge of the decision said.

Boxing: Vyacheslav Senchenko retained his welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Charlie Jose Navarro. Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and the other had it 116-113.

NHL: TheRangers agreed to terms with free agent forward Tim Kennedy. The 24-year-old had 10 goals and 16 assists last season with Buffalo in 78 games. ... The Coyotes re-signed right wing Lee Stempniak to a two-year contract.

Soccer: U.S. Soccer announced it had agreed to a four-year extension with Bob Bradley, ending speculation he was seeking a job in Europe.

Football: The Arena Football League will add new teams in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Kansas City and expand its schedule to 18 games next season.

ASSOCIATED PRESS