OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ryan Mallett is a second-string quarterback making the most of a second chance.Mallett joined the Ravens in December after being cut two months earlier by Houston. Thrust almost immediately into a starting role, he carried Baltimore to a victory over Pittsburgh before throwing for 292 yards in a loss at Cincinnati.Now that Joe Flacco stands atop the depth chart again following offseason knee surgery, Mallett has returned to the role hes held for much of his career: backup.Im still going to prepare like Im the starter every week, Mallett said after Wednesdays practice. Thats the only way Im going to be ready to go if something happens and my number is called.Flacco started 137 straight games before tearing two ligaments in his left knee on Nov. 22. Until that time, being the Ravens backup quarterback pretty much meant tossing your helmet aside on Sunday and watching from the sideline.Because theres no telling if Flaccos knee can take a pounding in game action, Mallett had better be ready to go.Ive definitely spent more time in the offense. Im a lot more comfortable, Mallett said. Its not just a week of preparation. Ive had a spring now and a summer to prepare myself, and these first two weeks of training camp.Mallett has been nothing but professional since arriving in Baltimore. His tenure with the Texans, on the other hand, will be remembered for his misdeeds.He was late for a practice session and late for the team bus. The Texans finally cut him after he missed the team charter flight for a game in Miami.None of that matters to Ravens coach John Harbaugh.Thats the thing about life, football, whatever. It doesnt end at your first mistake, Harbaugh said. You have a chance, hopefully, to do the right things. To bounce back.The 28-year-old Mallett is eager to move on. Short term, hes focused on facing the Carolina Panthers in Baltimores preseason opener.Im here to play football. Im ready for the season to get started, Mallett said. Im ready for Thursday night.Mallett was drafted in the third round in 2011 by the Patriots, who kept him on the bench behind Tom Brady for three straight seasons. He played in three games with Houston in 2014, starting twice, before bouncing from the Texans to Baltimore last year.Big guy, big arm, really sharp, Ravens quarterbacks coach Marty Morningweg said. Hes had an outstanding camp. He can make some tremendous throws down the field.Mallett has the talent to start. For now, he remains in waiting mode.I wouldnt play if I didnt want to be a starter, Mallett said. Thats not the situation right now. I understand my role on this team and Im going to do that to the best of my ability.With Flacco likely to remain on the sideline Thursday, Mallett will get plenty of playing time leading up to the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against Buffalo.Ryan is a heck of a guy. Hes a hard worker. Hes a pro, Harbaugh said. Its going to be fun to watch him play. As far as a player for us, hes 1-1. Hes .500. Its time for him to win some more games, and hell have a chance to do that for us in the preseason.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Real Wood Water Bottle . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Swell Bottle Sale . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. http://www.swellbottlesnz.com/swell-bottle-marble-nz-sale.html . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Discount Swell Bottles .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Swell Wood Bottle Nz . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- A week after losing to Temple on a last-second play, UCF made sure it didnt blow another fourth-quarter lead.The Knights made fourth-down stops on two late UConn drives and held on to beat the Huskies 24-16 on Saturday.We didnt want that sour taste in our mouth again from last week, said UCF linebacker Errol Clarke, who finished with nine tackles and a sack. Thats what I think really pushed us over the top.McKenzie Milton threw for a season-high 317 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 29 of 45 passes and the Knights (4-3, 2-1 American) moved over the .500 mark by scoring 17 unanswered points and holding the Huskies (3-5, 1-4) scoreless in the second half.Arkeel Newsome ran 21 times for 101 yards and Noel Thomas had his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game for UConn, catching nine passes for 165 yards.But Thomas dropped a pass in the end zone on a third down with just over 3 minutes remaining, and quarterback Bryant Shirreffs came up short on a fourth-down scramble.The Huskies got the ball back near midfield with just over 2 minutes left and drove to the 21, before the defense stiffened and forced four-straight incompletions.I think our players have been through a lot after the past week, after how the last game ended, and I cant say enough about their character, said first-year coach Scott Frost.UConn scored the games first 13 points, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from Newsome.But the Knights scored at the end of the first half on 19-yard pass from Milton to freshman Jordan Akins and took the lead on the first drive of the second half, when Milton hit running back Adrian Killins over the middle for a 39-yard touchdoown.dddddddddddd It was the third consecutive drive of more than 70 yards for UCF.That was a big deal, it was a big moment, UConn coach Bob Diaco said ofAkins touchdown. We let the proverbial rope slip out of our hand a little bit there in the final minute-and-a-half of the half.A career-long 50-yard field goal by Matthew Wright early in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to eight points.The Huskies final points came on a 35-yard Bobby Puyol field goal, one of three he kicked in the first half.Puyol missed 31-yard field goal in the third quarter, which bounced off the right upright.THE TAKEAWAYUCF: The Knights have apparently found their quarterback in the freshman Milton, who started again over senior Justin Holman. It was Miltons fourth start this season. His 317 yards passing were the most since Holman threw for 336 yards against Temple in 2014.UConn: The Huskies have two offensive weapons in Newsome and Thomas and need to find a third. Shirreffs was again the teams second leading rusher with 49 yards. Alec Bloom was the teams second-leading receiver. He had two catches for 20 yards.JUST ANOTHER GAMEA trophy, which Diaco created before last years game after dubbing the series the ConnFLiCT, remained on UConns bench after the game, unclaimed by the Knights, who have not recognized the rivalry.It was just another ballgame for us, said Milton. Next week will be another ballgame for us and the week after that.UP NEXTUCF: The Knights visit No. 11 Houston next SaturdayUConn: The Huskies travel south to face East Carolina. ' ' '