Sports briefs

Compiled from Deseret News wire services

Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:36 p.m. MDT

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Hundreds flock to mourn fallen coach

PARKERSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of people have waited for hours in lines that stretched for blocks to attend the visitation for a slain Iowa high school football coach.

A funeral is planned today for Ed Thomas, following the visitation Sunday. Thomas' sons, Todd and Aaron Thomas, say they mourned their father privately at the football fields where he held practice.

The sons said they stood at the fields near Aplington-Parkersburg High School and cried when no one was around.

Thomas was fatally shot Wednesday during a team workout. Authorities have charged 24-year-old Mark Becker, who had played for Thomas, with first-degree murder.

Thomas coached for 34 years in the community about 80 miles northeast of Des Moines and had guided several players to the NFL.

Roper leaves Oregon to play in Big Sky

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Former Oregon quarterback Justin Roper has confirmed that he will transfer to the University of Montana.

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Roper started for Oregon last season until he injured his knee in Week 3.

He confirmed his decision to play for Montana on Saturday in an interview with The Missoulian.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly said last month that the 6-6, 204-pound Georgia native made the decision to leave that program after emerging from spring drills behind Ducks starter Jeremiah Masoli.

By transferring from a major college program to one in a lower tier of Division I, Roper is eligible to play this season.

Owner not too enthusiastic about Canada

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. (AP) — Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is in no hurry to have his team play more than one regular-season game in Toronto.

Wilson told The Associated Press on Sunday he'd prefer waiting "two or three years" to determine whether the northern experiment is a success before he'd consider reworking the contract reached last year with Toronto-based Rogers Communications. Under the agreement, which runs through 2012, the Bills will play one regular-season and three preseason games in Toronto.

Rogers officials have expressed interest in adding at least one regular-season game.

Wilson says he doesn't know whether there will be another game there or not.

Track and field champions crowned