AIR BOISE

University of Idaho athletics director Rob Spear hit some unexpected turbulence, Nov. 7, but it wasn't due to his flight.

Or maybe it was.

Spear was headed to Boise for a fund raising event, but upon arriving at the Moscow airport, discovered his Horizon Air plane was painted in Boise State's colors, with BSU's logo on the tail. (A week later BSU crushed Idaho in football, 63-25.)

Spear declined to board the plane, instead driving 90 miles to Spokane, where he took another flight.

Can't say that I blame him.

But if it were me, I'd seize any chance I could to catch the same ride Boise has been on for the last 10 years.

EXCHANGE RATE

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco thought it would be a good idea, last week, to pretend to bribe an official by attempting to hand him a $1 bill.

The NFL responded the way it always does — by killing a gnat with a sledge hammer. It fined Ochocinco $20,000.

That's the worst trade-off since the Chargers paid $31 million for Ryan Leaf.

TIME TROUBLE

A post-game press release, following Utah's embarrassing 55-28 football loss at TCU, Saturday, included this item: "It was Utah's longest game of the season (3:35)."

Which raises the inevitable question: Ya think?

NO SHOWS

TCU coach Gary Patterson began his post-game remarks by applauding the record crowd of more than 50,000.

"Let me just say this," he began. "I want to thank everybody that was here."

Which nicely offset the fact the Utes never showed up.

A FAMILY WAY

Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko got his family back, three weeks ago, when his wife returned from Russia with their newly adopted daughter.

The separation, he said, was difficult.

"It's kind of tough to live that life," he said.

True, but if he really wants a tough life, try losing 50 games and being around Jerry Sloan.

TAKING SHOTS

The Liaoshen Evening Post reports that a gym coach in Shenyang, China, has taken a side job hiring himself out as a human punching bag for women.

Great idea, but didn't Ben Wright already do that?

A REAL CATCH

Comedian Alex Kaseberg, on a Florida man who took six years to make a 6 1/2-foot, 4 1/2-ton ball out of rubber bands: "And here's the best part, girls: He's single."

e-mail: rock@desnews.com