New York ? A college football bowl game will be played at Yankee Stadium starting in 2010.

The New York Yankees have scheduled a news conference today to announce the details. The game is expected to match teams from the Big East and Big 12 conferences.

The Yankees already have signed a deal with Army for the service academy to play four games over the next five seasons at the new $1.5 billion dollar stadium, starting next year against Notre Dame.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

USC’s Johnson recovering

Los Angeles — Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson could communicate non-verbally with his family members and teammates on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours after his bench-pressing accident in the Trojans’ weight room. The bar slipped from his right hand and crushed his neck and larynx, which required seven hours of surgery.

NFL

Trotter back with Eagles

Philadelphia — Jeremiah Trotter is back with the Philadelphia Eagles after a year away from the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker signed with the team Tuesday. To make room for him, the Eagles released quarterback Jeff Garcia.

A 10-year veteran, Trotter, 32, last played with Tampa Bay in December 2007. He has credited knee surgery last year with making him feel he could return to the field.

Freeney out 2 to 3 weeks

Indianapolis — Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney could miss two to three weeks with an injured right quadriceps, according to a report on ESPN’s Web site.

Freeney was injured on the last play of the third quarter of Sunday’s victory over Arizona. He walked to the locker room and team president Bill Polian said Monday night that Freeney said “if he could walk, he could play.”

Freeney has four sacks this season, fourth in the NFL and AFC, and is a former league sacks champion.

Rams’ Vobora suspended

St. Louis — The NFL has suspended St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora without pay for the next four games for violating its policy on performance enhancing substances.

The NFL made the announcement Tuesday and said Vobora’s suspension begins immediately. He can return to the active roster Oct. 26.

Vobora was the last overall pick of last year’s draft. He became a starter this year.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the news is disappointing, but the club respects the league’s decision.

BASEBALL

Knoblauch charged

Houston — Former major leaguer Chuck Knoblauch has been charged with assaulting his common-law wife.

A judge set Knoblauch’s bond at $10,000 after he appeared in court Tuesday. According to a criminal complaint, Knoblauch’s wife told police he hit her in the face and then choked her at their Houston home on Friday.

The 41-year-old former infielder is a Houston native and a four-time All-Star who played for the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals from 1991-02.

Knoblauch was one of more than 80 players who were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in the 2007 Mitchell Report on baseball’s steroids era. Knoblauch later acknowledged using performance enhancers.

Beckett ready for start

Boston — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett says he feels a lot better after getting scratched Monday night because of back spasms. Beckett said Tuesday that he’s ready to pitch. His next start is scheduled for Saturday. Beckett is 16-6 and has already pitched a career-high with 2071/3 innings.

Hamilton out for season

Anaheim, Calif. — The Texas Rangers have shut down outfielder Josh Hamilton for the remainder of the season to rest the pinched nerve in his back. Hamilton has missed 21 of the Rangers’ past 23 games with a back problem related to injuries from a crash into an outfield fence. Hamilton was an All-Star last season while leading the AL in RBIs. He hit .268 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs this season.

NBA

Replacement refs planned

New York — The NBA has told teams it is going ahead with replacement referees, days after the league thought a deal had been reached with locked-out officials. The league sent a memo Tuesday informing teams it had “no expectation of concluding a timely labor contract.”

WNBA

Mercury’s Taurasi MVP

Phoenix — Diana Taurasi was the runaway winner for most valuable player in the WNBA, a style of victory fitting for the multitalented leader of the fast-paced Phoenix Mercury. The lanky 6-footer was presented with the award at a news conference Tuesday. It’s the first MVP award for the four-time WNBA all-star, who led the league in scoring at 23.8 points per game in her sixth pro season after being drafted No. 1 out of Connecticut in 2004.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UConn, Calhoun in talks

Storrs, Conn. — Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun is talking to the school about a new multiyear contract.

Kyle Muncy, a spokesman for the UConn basketball program, said Tuesday that the two sides have been in discussions for some time, and that Calhoun has expressed a desire to continue coaching at UConn.

GOLF

Palmer to receive medal

Orlando, Fla. — Arnold Palmer is going back to the White House to meet another president and collect another medal. Palmer said Tuesday that he has been selected to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, an honor that has been around since the American Revolution and recognizes distinguished achievements and contributions.

Rice to play Nationwide

Hayward, Calif. — Hall of Fame-nominated wide receiver Jerry Rice is making his professional golf debut next year as a tournament host and player at a Nationwide Tour event in northern California. The Stonebrae Classic is scheduled for April 15-18 at the TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae.

Heritage loses sponsor

Greenville, S.C. — The Verizon Heritage, one of the PGA Tour’s most popular spring tournaments, is losing its longtime, namesake sponsor after 2010. Verizon Business’ move came less than week after commissioner Tim Finchem discussed the potential loss of PGAs Tour marketing partners and tournaments because of continuing problems with the economy.