LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Brandt Snedeker was making so many birdies that even an 18-foot putt looked like a mere tap-in. When he finished his amazing run in the first round of the BMW Championship, he had seven straight birdies on his card and an 8-under 63 at blustery Conway Farms.

That gave him a one-shot lead over Zach Johnson in the third FedEx Cup playoff event. Tiger Woods sounded disgusted with his round of 66, mainly because he had a pair of three-putt bogeys and missed a 4-foot birdie putt over his last five holes.

Steve Stricker, Charl Schwartzel and Kevin Streelman also were at 66. Phil Mickelson had a 70.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Butch Jones says defensive lineman Maurice Couch has been ruled ineligible for Saturday's game against No. 2 Oregon while the university investigates allegations he was one of five Southeastern Conference players to receive improper benefits.Jones told the Associated Press via text message that it was Tennessee's compliance department that ruled the 6-foot-2, 304-pound Couch ineligible.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach John Fox came to Von Miller's defense 24 hours after publicly expressing frustration in his suspended star over multiple traffic transgressions.Fox said the team is helping Miller stay out of trouble any way it can, and he pointed out that the All-Pro linebacker's infractions were nothing more serious than traffic citations.Miller was arrested when he tried to purchase a weapon last month and a routine background check revealed an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on traffic charges from last year. He also was pulled over near his suburban Denver home last week and cited for speeding and driving with a suspended license.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Frank Tripucka was the first quarterback for the Broncos and the original No. 18 in Denver.His number was retired until 2012 when he gladly and graciously allowed Peyton Manning to wear it.Tripucka died at his home in Woodland Park, N.J., at age 85. His son, Kelly Tripucka, a former NBA star, said his father died of congestive heart failure.A former standout at Notre Dame, Frank Tripucka played for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cardinals and Dallas Texans. He was brought in as a coach before the 1960 season.Tripucka threw for 3,038 yards and 24 touchdowns that season. He's also credited with tossing the first touchdown pass in AFLhistory, a 59-yard connection to Al Carmichael.