RIO DE JANEIRO -- Monica Puig isnt the first Puerto Rican womens tennis player to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Shes just the first to win one for Puerto Rico.And Gigi Fernandez was thrilled to see it happen.Fernandez, a Puerto Rican who won Olympic gold in doubles in 1992 and 1996 but did so while representing the United States, has dealt with plenty of social-media criticism in recent days as the wounds caused by her decision from a generation ago were reopened, in part from her own Twitter commentary. But after watching Puigs historic win on television from her Connecticut home on Saturday, Fernandez said her only regret was not being in Rio de Janeiro to watch it live.Nothing about Monica winning has bothered me at all, Fernandez, a 17-time Grand Slam doubles winner who now coaches and is a mom to 7-year-old twins, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. What bothered me was some of the things people were saying to me. For some reason people thought I wouldnt be happy for her. Im wildly ecstatic. I cannot believe how well she played.Puig, who was unseeded, knocked off second-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. Afterward, Puig wrapped herself in a Puerto Rican flag and wiped away plenty of joyous tears.After Puigs win, there was a note awaiting her from Fernandez as well.I know her and she wrote to me, congratulating me, so thats very nice, Puig said. She played in the doubles, and I know that she won the gold medal. ... For me, its inspiring, really.Her win instantly became big news in Puerto Rico, where fans flocked into restaurants and bars to watch her final match on television.Best sport moment I have ever witnessed, former major league baseball player Alex Cora said after watching Puigs win in Puerto Rico.Yet not all the reaction was joyful, especially what was directed toward Fernandez. Tweets sent her way ranged from a handful of those coming to her defense to some being downright profane.For her part, Fernandez didnt often engage back.Im trying not to fuel the fire and let Monica have her stage, Fernandez said.But during the opening ceremony of the Rio Games, Fernandez started this new round of old debate with a tweet .Puerto Ricos flagbearer for the opening was Jaime Espinal, a wrestler born in the Dominican Republic. Fernandez tweeted a photo of the Puerto Rican team walking into Maracana Stadium with words in Spanish that translated to asking if Espinal is Dominican or Puerto Rican.Double standard, she wrote.That opened the floodgates, re-opening the issue that started when she decided to play doubles for the U.S. at the 1992 Barcelona Games and four years later in Atlanta. Its a decision that Fernandez insists wasnt easy, but was made simply because she wasnt even sure Puerto Rico could qualify for doubles -- her specialty -- and get into those Olympics. So when a chance to play for the U.S. and partner with Mary Joe Fernandez came, Gigi Fernandez felt she was making the smartest move.If I was destined to win a medal, it would have been in doubles and Puerto Rico did not have another player that I could have played with, she said. I struggled with the decision. But now its behind us.She was the first Puerto Rican professional athlete, part of a group -- Mary Joe Fernandez and Gabriela Sabatini also included -- that, as Puig said Saturday night, all played a role in inspiring her to pick up the game.Puig knocked off the worlds second-ranked player in Kerber in the final, and also beat No. 4 Garbine Muguruza earlier in the tournament.I cannot believe how well she played, Fernandez said. To take out two of the top five players and win gold is just remarkable. I dont know what possessed her -- but she needs to carry it for the rest of her life.And when Puig goes back to Puerto Rico, Fernandez knows what awaits.A heroes welcome, probably a parade and they might rename the capital of Puerto Rico to Monica, Fernandez said. She definitely deserves everything shes going to get. Salomon Baratas España .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. Salomon Baratas Chinas Online . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. http://www.baratassalomon.es/ . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Zapatillas Salomon España . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Zapatillas Salomon Baratas España . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. (STATS) -- It was a combination of frustration and desperation when Eastern Washington inserted a third-string redshirt freshman for his first significant playing time at quarterback in the second half of a blowout loss at rival Montana last November.It wasnt until spring practices earlier this year that many people perked up to Gage Gubruds ability.Could an unknown sophomore supplant the two returning quarterbacks ahead of him, including one who threw for over 3,000 yards last season?Not only did Gubrud provide the answer in his first career start in early September, but he, Cooper Kupp and Eastern Washington have a chance to finish as one of the greatest passing offenses in FCS history.The No. 3-ranked Eagles have soared behind an air attack that produces 445.6 passing yards per game. Its an average that at the end of the season would rank second in FCS history.Mississippi Valley States 496.8-yard average in 1984 behind quarterback Willie Totten and wide receiver Jerry Rice may never be topped, but the Eagles are ahead of the next-best passing offenses, Steve McNair and Alcorn State in 1994 (442.3 ypg) and Neil Lomax and Portland State in 1980 (434.9).Six teams have averaged over 400 passing yards in FCS history.As Eastern Washington (6-1, 4-0) gets sets to host No. 16 Montana (5-2, 2-2) in the Big Sky Conference on Saturday, Gubrud is getting better. In last years matchup, he only entered the game behind Reilly Hennessey and Jordan West when, at 50-9, the outcome was no longer in doubt.This season, Gubrud helped lead Eastern Washington to a 45-42 upset at Washington State in the season opener -- passing for 474 yards and setting a school record with 551 yards of total offense -- and theres been no looking back.I like to break the season down to thirds, to get a feel for how someone is playing early in the season, in the middle of the season and late in the season -- especially when you are talking about young quarterbacks, EWU coach Beau Baldwin said.The thing I love about Gage compared to his first three games is that hes playing incredibly patient and disciplined. Hes continuing to take what a defense gives him, and teams can sometimes frustrate you when they force you to continually take everything underneath. Hes handling that really well, and regardless of the statistics and yards, hes taking care of the football a ton better than he did at the beginning of the year. Those are the steps hes taken that Ive been most impressed with, and how hes growing as a quarterbackGubrud has completed 212 of 299 passes (70.9 percent) for 2,886 yards and 27 touchdowns with six interceptions (all before the Big Sky season began). His 520 passing yards at Montana State last Saturday set the Eagles single-game record, and he raised the teams run of consecutive passes without an interception to 169 (140 by Gubrud).The offense also features Kupp, the greatest receiver in FCS history (most receiving yards and touchdown receptions, and soon-to-be most receptions). But when the 2015 STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year missed 1? games with a shoulder injury last month, the production was seamless.The Eagles have the Big Skys three leaders in receiving yards -- Kupp, 866; Kendrick Bourne, 696; and Shaq Hill, 669. In their careers, the trio has combined for 694 receptions for 10,580 yards and 111 touchdowns in their career.Its all come together for the Eagles -- in a historical way.---=FCS CO-GAME OF THE WEEK=The Matchup: No. 16 Montana (5-2, 2-2 Big Sky) at No. 3 Eastern Washington (6-1, 4-0)Kickoff: 3:35 p.m. ET at Roos Field (8,600) in Cheney, WashingtonTelevision: ROOT SportsSeries: Montana leads 27-15-1 (most recent meeting: UM won 57-16 on Nov. 14, 2015 in Missoula)The Skinny: Bitter rivals meet with Eastern Washington leading the Big Sky Conference in total offense (571.7 ypg) and Montana top-ranked in total defense (318.1 ypg). UM kicker Tim Semenza (62 points) and leading rushing Jeremy Calhoun (60) rank 1-2 in the conference in scoring. QB Brady Gustafson (2,195 yards, 22 TDs) will be even more dangerous if and when leading receiver Jerry Louie-McGee returns from injury. While the Griz employ a 4-3 defense, they might have to keep LB Josh Buss (14.5 tackles for loss) back in pass coverage with DE Caleb Kidder (4.5 sacks) supplying the pressure on EWU QB Gage Gubrud. EWU is one of the three unbeaten teams in Big Sky games (4-0 Weber State plays at 5-0 North Dakota on Saturday). The Eagles have trailed at halftime in five of their seven games, then outscored opponents 207-78 in the second half. On an often-maligned defense, seniors Samson Ebukam (DE), Miquiyah Zamora (LB) and Zach Bruce (S) form a strong trio.Prediction: The stakes would be higher if Montana hadnt lost at Northern Arizona last weekend. A rainy day could slow down the Eagles. Eastern Washington, 34-30.---=FCS CO-GAME OF THE WEEK=The Matchup: No. 4 North Dakota State (6-1, 3-1 Missouri Valley) at Northern Iowa (3-4, 2-2)Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET at the UNI-Dome (16,324) in Cedar Falls, IowaTelevision: ESPN3 (KVLY, NBC North Dakota network, Panther Sports Network)Series: Northern Iowa leads 26-23 (most recent meeting: North Dakota State won 23-13 in the FCS quarterfinals on Dec. 12, 2015 in Fargo)The Skinny: The Missouri Valley Conference rivalry, in its 50th meeting, is usually one of the highlights of the FCS season, although UNI has been disappointing, losing four times by a combined 17 points. Its a bit of a revenge game for five-time defending FCS champ NDSU, whose gaudy 77-6 record since the start of the 2011 season includes only one loss by more than threee points -- 23-3 at the UNI-Dome two years ago, which ended the Bisons FCS-record 33-game winning streak.dddddddddddd NDSU ranks eighth in the FCS in total defense (239.4 ypg). The Bison will try to rely on the ball-control rushing of RBs King Frazier and Lance Dunn as well as QB Easton Stick on draws. The Panthers are 16-6 at the UNI-Dome against NDSU. QB Eli Dunne, replacing Aaron Bailey, threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start last Saturday against Missouri State. The defense has forced 17 turnovers, returning four pick-sixes. DE Karter Schult has been exceptional with 15 tackles for loss and an FCS-high 9.5 sacks.Prediction: North Dakota State usually wins the line of scrimmage in a decisive way, but Northern Iowa is formidable, too. Expect a grind-it-out battle. NDSU, 20-17.---=STATS FCS TOP 25 SCHEDULE=Saturday, Oct. 24All Times ETX-Predicted WinnerBucknell (3-4) at X-No. 9 Charleston Southern (4-2), 11:45 a.m. -- With his team stepping out of conference one last time, CSU coach Jamey Chadwell will serve his one-game NCAA suspension for an assistants recruiting violation on social media.No. 22 Stony Brook (5-2, 4-0 CAA) at X-New Hampshire (5-3, 4-1), noon -- Without a win here, UNH will be hard-pressed to make the FCS playoffs for a 13th straight year. None of the Wildcats wins are against a team with a winning record.Florida A&M (3-5, 3-2 MEAC) at X-No. 12 North Carolina A&T (6-1, 4-0), 1 p.m. -- Bethune-Cookman coach Terry Sims says its time to stop calling A&Ts Tarik Cohen, the MEACs all-time leading rusher, the best running back in black college football and count him among the best in college football.X-No. 24 Harvard (5-1, 3-0 Ivy) at Dartmouth (3-3, 0-3), 1:30 p.m. -- The Crimson are a different team when quarterback Joe Viviano is in the lineup.East Tennessee State (3-4, 1-4 Southern) at X-No. 5 The Citadel (7-0, 5-0), 2 p.m. -- The Bulldogs have tied their program record for consecutive wins in a single season. Theyll set a new mark here as ETSU hasnt scored more than seven points in their last four SoCon games.Weber State (5-2, 4-0 Big Sky) at X-No. 17 North Dakota (6-2, 5-0), 2 p.m. -- The ability to stop the run isnt a strength of Webers, so thats an advantage to Brady Oliveira, John Santiago and the Fighting Hawks, who have rushed for over 200 yards in six straight wins.X-No. 18 Coastal Carolina (5-2) at Presbyterian (2-5), 2 p.m. -- After linebacker Alex Searces two touchdowns last week, the Chanticleers have scored 44 non-offensive points this season.Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-6, 1-4 SWAC) at X-No. 21 Grambling State (5-1, 4-0), 3 p.m. -- Gramblings two opponents out of a three-week layoff have a combined one win. Just how did UAPB beat two-time defending SWAC champ Alcorn State last month?X-No. 7 South Dakota State (5-2, 4-0 Missouri Valley) at Illinois State (3-5, 1-4), 3 p.m. -- The surging Jackrabbits are trying for a five-game sweep in October, which would include all three MVFC schools from Illinois for the first time since they joined the conference in 2008.No. 23 Eastern Illinois (5-3, 3-2 OVC) at X-No. 2 Jacksonville State (6-1, 3-0), 3:30 p.m. -- The last time the Gamecocks lost in the regular season to an FCS opponent was against EIU, 52-14 on Nov. 16, 2013. Its been 27 wins in a row since then, including 20 straight in the Ohio Valley Conference.X-No. 13 Western Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Missouri Valley) at South Dakota (4-3, 3-1), 3 p.m. -- WIU senior Lance Lenoirs next reception will tie him for the MVFC all-time record (250, Illinois States Tyrone Walker from 2009-12).Rhode Island (1-7, 0-5 CAA) at X-No. 8 James Madison (6-1, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. -- If its 4th-and-36, URI should go for it because JMU is averaging 37.4 yards per punt return. At least run a BYU fake.No. 20 Samford (6-1) at X-Mississippi State (2-5), 3:30 p.m. -- Stay out of the SEC. Samford is 2-75-3 all-time against members of the SEC, but one of the wins is against Mississippi State (6-0 in 1909).X-No. 19 Central Arkansas (6-1, 5-0 Southland) at Southeastern Louisiana (4-3, 4-1), 3:30 p.m. -- On a strong Bears defense, senior cornerback Tyler Williams is tied for the FCS high in passes defended with 13 (one interception and 12 breakups).X-No. 10 Chattanooga (7-1, 5-1 Southern) at Western Carolina (1-6, 0-5), 3:30 p.m. -- In the last three meetings, the Mocs have outscored Western Carolina 94-6 in the first half.No. 25 Tennessee State (5-2, 2-1 OVC) at X-Murray State (2-5, 2-2), 4 p.m. -- A Murray State upset last week has Eastern Illinois playing for its playoff lives. The Racers, behind quarterback KD Humphries, will try to put Tennessee State in the same situation.Indiana State (4-4, 2/3 Missouri Valley) at X-No. 15 Youngstown State (5-2, 3-1), 4 p.m. -- A season after Zak Kennedy was the FCS freshman leader in field goals (19), the Penguins have the freshman leader in punting average, Mark Schuler at 41.8 yards.Texas Southern (3-4) at X-No. 1 Sam Houston State (7-0), 7 p.m. -- This game came about after FBS member New Mexico canceled a matchup with Sam Houston. The top-ranked Bearkats must be rooting for McNeese (4-4) this week because none of their wins are against a team currently with a winning record.X-No. 14 Cal Poly (5-2, 3-1 Big Sky) at Sacramento State (1-7, 1-4), 9 p.m. -- Although Cal Poly has the No. 2 rushing attack in the FCS, quarterback Dano Graves has a 207.9 pass efficiency rating.Idle: No. 6 Richmond (7-1, 4-1 CAA) and No. 11 Villanova (6-2, 4-1 CAA) ' ' '