FOOTBALL: Gators are No. 1 in coaches’ poll

Defending national champion Florida tops the USA Today preseason football coaches’ poll, receiving 53 of 59 first-place votes. Texas was second, followed by Oklahoma, Southern California, Alabama, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Penn State, LSU and Mississippi.

* As top draft pick receiver Michael Crabtree remained absent from camp, the Niners’ receiving corps lost Brandon Jones for eight weeks because of a right shoulder fracture.

* The Broncos agreed to terms with top pick running back Knowshon Moreno and the Chiefs signed top pick defensive end Tyson Jackson.

* The lawyer for a woman suing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for alleged sexual assault has given the two-time Super Bowl winner until Aug. 21 to respond to the lawsuit.

HOOPS: Liberty snap 5-game losing streak

In Sacramento, Calif., Janel McCarville scored 18 points and the Liberty beat the Monarchs 84-66 to snap a five-game losing streak and give interim coach Anne Donovan her first win. Tiffany Jackson and Ashley Battle added 11 points each for the Liberty (7-13).

* Ben Wallace will receive a one-year, $1.3 million deal to return to the Pistons, said a person with knowledge of the deal. The four-time defensive player of the year helped the Pistons win the 2004 NBA title.

* The Hawks re-signed forward Marvin Williams to a five-year contract worth as much as $43 million with incentives, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . . . The Celtics signed free agent center/forward Shelden Williams.

AUTO: Johnson qualifies 1st for Watkins Glen

Jimmie Johnson turned a lap at 123.633 mph in 71.34 seconds to earn the first road course pole of his career in a qualifying effort, edging Kurt Busch ahead of tomorrow’s race at Watkins Glen International. Four-time Glen winner Jeff Gordon will go off 31st, the worst qualifying result of his career at The Glen.

* FIA president Max Mosley settled a lawsuit with the publisher of Germany’s largest newspaper over reports that he played sex games involving a Nazi theme with prostitutes.

SOCCER: Beckham pondering MLS ownership

Galaxy star David Beckham says he is thinking about buying an MLS franchise when his current contract is up in two years. Asked what he would do next, Beckham said he was “definitely interested” in becoming an MLS owner.

* Seventeen players from the team that defeated No. 1-ranked Spain in June in the Confederations Cup were named to the United States roster for its key World Cup qualifier at Mexico on Aug. 12. Notably absent are defender Frankie Hejduk and midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.

TENNIS: Roddick advances at Legg Mason

In Washington, Andy Roddick defeated big-hitting Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic and will face countryman John Isner in the semifinals. Fernando Gonzalez and Juan Martin del Potro square off in the other semi.