Illinois State changes date of 2012 opener

NCAA Football Betting Lines

01/27/2012 - Normal, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Illinois State football team's 2012 season opener against Dayton has been changed from Thursday, Aug. 30 to Saturday, Sept. 1 due to the construction on the new renovations to Hancock Stadium,

Kickoff will be 2 p.m. ET.

The game was changed from a Thursday night opener because construction at Hancock Stadium will affect the stadium's lighting for night games.

The Redbirds, who finished 7-4 this past season, also will play home games against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 15), Southern Illinois on Homecoming (Oct. 6), Youngstown State (Oct. 13), Missouri State (Oct. 20) and 2011 FCS national champion North Dakota State (Nov. 17).

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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