OXFORD, Miss. - Ed Orgeron's recruiting success at Southern California helped him land the job as Mississippi's football coach.

The Rebels hope the 43-year-old Louisiana native can use his ties to the Deep South to lure talented recruits to Oxford and reinvigorate the Ole Miss program with the tough, punishing defense that became a Southern Cal staple.

Orgeron was USC's defensive line coach, an assistant head coach for two years and the closest thing the school had to a defensive coordinator - head coach Pete Carroll is in charge of the Trojans' defense.

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress will sit out Saturday's game against the Giants, the fourth consecutive game he will miss because of a sore hamstring.Burress, Pittsburgh's most reliable downfield receiver, ran pass patterns in practice earlier this week and was optimistic about playing. But he was downgraded from questionable to out Thursday after talking with trainer John Norwig."It's just a couple of things," Burress said. "When I'm running full speed and make a little move, I still feel it a little bit. So he said to me it would probably be best for me to sit out the game."Burress thinks missing one more game should allow him to play Dec. 26 against the Ravens.The Steelers (12-1), trying for a club record 12th consecutive victory, also may be without running back Duce Staley (hamstring), who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. He is listed as doubtful, meaning there is only a 25 percent chance he will play.The same injury sidelined Staley for four games. He returned to start the last two games, but gained only 51 yards in each game after having four 100-yard games in a five-game stretch before he was hurt.

Brittany Anderson tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds, but the Butler County Community College women's basketball team dropped an 81-63 decision to Mercyhurst-North East Thursday night.Stephanie Devore added 11 points and Julie Wills scored 10 and added eight assists for the Pioneers (2-7).

The Buffalo Valley Sportsmen's Association elected its officers for 2005.Bruce Williamson is president, William Hodak vice president, Mark Hodak treasurer, Jason Hodak assistant treasurer, Bob Schoenecker secretary and Larry Clark assistant secretary.Commissioners are John Bargerstock (game), Larry Hartman (fish), John Beers (archery) and Scott Bryan (muzzleloader). Bob Hodak, Eric Bowser and Chuck Hodak comprise the board of directors.