Sports briefs

SOCCERPrognosticating octopus dies

Paul the Octopus, the tentacled tipster who fascinated soccer fans by predicting results at the World Cup, has died. Paul had reached the octopus old age of 21/2 years and died in his tank Tuesday morning at the Sea Life aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, spokeswoman Ariane Vieregge said. Paul correctly predicted the outcome of all seven of Germany's games, including its loss to Spain in the final. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.

NFL

Bengals put 'Pacman' on IR

Adam "Pacman" Jones' comeback season with the Cincinnati Bengals has been cut short by a neck injury. The Bengals said that they put Jones on the injured reserve list because of a herniated disk in his neck suffered in Sunday's 39-32 loss at Atlanta.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Boise cruises

Kellen Moore threw two touchdown passes and caught another on a trick play, helping host Boise State (7-0), ranked No. 3 in the BCS, beat Louisiana Tech, 49-20, for its 21st victory in a row.

TENNIS

Wozniacki on verge of holding No. 1

Caroline Wozniacki eased past Elena Dementieva, 6-1, 6-1, in the group stage of the WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar, putting her one win away from ensuring she will remain the top-ranked player for 2010. No. 2 Vera Zvonareva defeated Jelena Jankovic, 6-3, 6-0.

Fed Cup team selected

With Serena and Venus Williams sidelines by injuries, teenager Coco Vandeweghe is joining Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and doubles specialist Liezel Huber on the U.S. team that will face Italy in the Fed Cup final Nov. 6-7.

Muster, 43, mounts a comeback

His passion for tennis renewed, 43-year-old Thomas Muster plans to resume his comeback next season. Muster, once ranked No. 1, lost in his first match on the ATP Tour after 11 years away. He was beaten by 23-year-old Andreas Haider-Maurer, 6-2, 7-6 (5), in the first round in Vienna. - AP