National

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Cain has endured years of little or no run support. He has been San Francisco's second star pitcher behind Tim Lincecum. Cain blew it earlier this month against San Diego when the Giants took their first shot at clinching the NL West.

So, what a day for the outing of his life, and his first career victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in six tries.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kerry Collins has been a starter and a backup, on the field and on the sideline, in the huddle and on the headset.

At 37 years old, he knows his role these days.

"I'm a short-term fill-in," Collins said.

A good one, nonetheless.

The first BCS standings are out and Boise State is already chasing a couple of teams from the power conferences.

Oklahoma was first and Oregon was second Sunday, with Boise State in third place and in need of plenty of help to become the first team from a conference without an automatic Bowl Championship Series bid to play for the BCS title.

Jerry Palm, who analyzes the BCS standings at collegebcs.com, said despite a better early season showing in the polls than ever before, Boise State is a long shot to play for the national championship.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Over 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Brett Favre has taken plenty of hits on the field.

Now his reputation is taking a hit, too.

The NFL is investigating the Deadspin website report that he allegedly sent below-the-waist naked photos of himself to a woman who worked for the New York Jets when he played for the team two years ago.