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HOUSTON -- In recent years, Houston has been a stepping stone, a quick stop for up-and-coming coaches on their way to jobs seen as bigger and better.Art Briles was at Houston before leaving for Baylor. Kevin Sumlin started with the Cougars before moving on to Texas A&M, and last month Tom Herman left for Texas after just two seasons with the Cougars.On Monday, Houston introduced Major Applewhite as its latest hire and the 38-year-old first-time head coach insisted hes different than those who simply used the job as a springboard.I want to be here long-term, Applewhite said. I want to be here for the guys. I want to be here for the city and for the university ... I think at this point in time in the history of this football program I think it is important to develop continuity.The introduction of Applewhite was less a news conference than it was a pep rally. There were cheerleaders waving white and red pom poms, a band and scores of fans and dignitaries, which included Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and state lawmaker Sheila Jackson Lee. But the pomp and circumstance of the day couldnt hide the fact that the Cougars werent expecting to be introducing another new coach so soon.Seems like we just did this ... the players look a lot happier this time though, board of regents chairman Tilman Fertitta said with a laugh.Applewhite spent the last two seasons as Hermans offensive coordinator and takes over a program that went 22-4 in that time. The Cougars (9-3) wrap up the season on Saturday when they meet San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl.Houston got wins over Oklahoma and Louisville this season, but took a step back by losing to SMU, Navy and Memphis, and failing to qualify for the American Athletic Conference title game a year after winning the league championship. Applewhite said he expects better than winning nine games and hell work to get the team back to where it was last season when the Cougars finished 13-1.Nobody in this room will set a higher expectation for this football team than me. That is the facts, he said. Ive always been a winner, I will always be a winner and I will always set those expectations for our football team.He directed his first practice as head coach on Monday morning and though hes waited for the opportunity to be in charge of a program for years, he downplayed the significance of the moment.It really hasnt sunk in, he said. Its very similar to when I was playing and I was in a backup role and then I was put in the game. Its just: Go do your job.Quarterback Greg Ward was chosen to introduce Applewhite to the group and it seemed to catch him a bit off guard.I appreciate that, Applewhite said. That was pretty solid.Ward, who worked closely with Applewhite over the past two seasons, raved about his coach.Regardless of any circumstance, hes going to be honest with you, Ward said. Hes also going to be more competitive than you if you let him and hes going to bring his `A game every single day.Under Applewhites direction, the Cougars gained more than 500 yards 11 times and passed the 600-yard mark four times. The offense piled up 40 points 12 times and scored at least 50 points five other occasions in the past two seasons.Applewhite spent seven seasons as an assistant at Texas before joining Hermans staff. He was the co-offensive coordinator in his last four seasons with the Longhorns after working as assistant head coach for the first three seasons. In his time with the Longhorns he focused on working with quarterbacks and running backs.Before joining the Longhorns, Applewhite spent the 2007 season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama, a season where he was the youngest coordinator in the FBS. It was there that he found his most important mentor among many who have influenced him as a coach.Working a year with Nick Saban. I just think hes in the major leagues and a lot of people are playing farm-A ball, he said. He is ahead of the game. Just his organization, that hand he has in everything, the way he distributes roles and gives everybody a sense of purpose and a sense of motivation when they walk in the office.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Authentic NFL Jerseys China . 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Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. NEW YORK -- Her lead slipping away, her Achilles tendon hurting, Roberta Vinci reminded herself of all the times she celebrated victories at the U.S. Open.It helps me in delicate moments, the 2015 runner-up said Friday after another win at Flushing Meadows.In the end, the head does a lot, she added. If you think negatively, its hard to get out of tense moments. So I try to think about what I did last year, what Ive done in other years.For another past U.S. Open finalist, this tournament is also a rush of positive thoughts. Caroline Wozniacki, a former top-ranked player, had failed to win any matches at the majors this year when she arrived at Flushing Meadows.Now shes into the round of 16 -- the first time since January shes posted three victories at the same event.It feels like my back garden and everything feels so familiar, said Wozniacki, whose ranking is down to No. 74 after a string of injuries.For both women, the U.S. Open has been by far the most successful of the majors. Wozniacki has reached the final twice to go along with two other semifinal appearances; shes been to the semis only once at the other three Grand Slams combined.This is the fourth time Vinci has made the round of 16 at the U.S. Open -- shes done it just three times total at the other majors. And last year, she stunned Serena Williams in the semis, thwarting the Americans Grand Slam bid and sending Vinci to her first major final at age 32. Vinci also won a U.S. Open doubles title in 2012 with Sara Errani -- on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where she played Friday.The seventh-seeded Vinci didnt drop a game in the first set, failed to serve out the match in the second, then hung on in the third, needing nearly two hours to top 102nd-ranked Carina Witthoeft 6-0, 5-7, 6-3.Wozniacki had an easier time in the third rounnd against the tricky slice forehand of 58th-ranked Monica Niculescu, winning 6-3, 6-1.dddddddddddd She believes the combination of the Wilson balls used at the U.S. Open and the speed of the courts is perfect for her game.The ball goes through the air very quickly, but the court kind of slows it down a little bit, she said. So it fits my game well. I can run a lot of balls down. But at the same time, I can get a lot out of my shots, as well.And she enjoys the buzz that ripples through Arthur Ashe Stadium, a sound that can distract other players. Wozniacki won on Ashe on Friday and almost certainly will be back there Sunday against American Madison Keys.The eighth-seeded Keys leaned on the urging of the home crowd on Ashe on Friday when she rallied from down two breaks in the third set for another great escape. Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka twice served for the match, but Keys got the break both times and went on to win in a third-set tiebreaker 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (3).Keys was also two points from defeat in the first round against 60th-ranked Alison Riske. Asked on court if Fridays win was the best comeback of her career, Keys said: For sure. Hands down.Keys is well aware that Denmarks Wozniacki, who has an apartment in Manhattan, is a fan favorite at the U.S. Open who will draw plenty of cheers Sunday. Vinci, too, has been wildly popular ever since she charmed the crowd in her on-court interview after last years win over Williams.Vinci was wearing a U.S. Olympic team T-shirt after Fridays victory. She bought it recently because she thought it looked cool, and the fans in Flushing Meadows would probably agree they consider the Italian a member of the home team. ' ' '