NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing NFL on-field officials criticized the league Thursday for inconsistencies in grading calls, including two high-profile penalties from recent games. In a release, the NFL Referees Association says the NFL has “caused confusion for NFL officials as to what the league does and doesn’t want called.”

The union referred to penalties on Washington’s Chris Baker for a hit on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on Sept. 21, and to Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah last Monday night for going to his knees to celebrate an interception return for a touchdown. Abdullah actually had gone to his knees to pray — an act exempted from celebration penalties.

The union says both calls were graded as correct even after NFL executives announced that they were incorrect. Baker got a 15-yard penalty and was ejected from the game at Philadelphia. Abdullah also received a 15-yard penalty.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers met the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs, Clayton Kershaw had a terrible outing and the Dodgers were bounced out of the postseason. A year later and a round earlier, Kershaw has a chance to erase those memories in Friday’s NL Division Series opener against Adam Wainwright.

Kershaw was 10-2 with a 1.70 ERA at Dodger Stadium during the regular season. Wainwright hasn’t been nearly as successful at Chavez Ravine. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in seven games, including six starts. Kershaw says losing 9-0 to the Cardinals in Game 6 of last year’s NLCS stuck with him for much of the winter.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says Kershaw uses every setback as extra incentive to fuel him.

**********

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adam Wainwright already is setting off alarms at Dodger Stadium. The Cardinals ace had barely answered his first question from the media on Thursday’s workout day when a fire alarm began screeching in the interview room. “I have this effect on people,” Wainwright joked. The alarm continued wailing and a female voice announced that an emergency was occurring.

“There is smoke in the hallway,” Wainwright said, smiling. The alarm finally quieted, and Wainwright finished his session. Wainwright will start Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Friday (Today) against Kershaw.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — With Hallie Christofferson gone, the Iowa State women’s basketball is looking for a new leader. Seniors Brynn Williamson and Nikki Moody say they’re ready to take on that responsibility. Both have been regulars for the past three seasons and will lead a team that should have excellent guard play and almost no experience in the post.

Christofferson is the only one missing from what essentially was a six-player rotation last season. But all of those coming back play on the perimeter. Coach Bill Fennelly hopes freshmen Bryanna Fernstrom and Claire Ricketts can give the team a presence inside.

But Fennelly says it’s likely the Cyclones will play five guards at times.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa sophomore Peter Jok has enough talent to become the face of the program someday. But first, he’ll look to rebuild his reputation following a pair of offseason arrests. Jok was arrested on his moped twice since the end of last season — once for drunk driving, once for driving it with a revoked license. He pleaded guilty to both charges. He also served a four-day jail sentence last month.

There’s little doubt that the 6-foot-6 Jok has a chance to develop into an All-Big Ten player for the Hawkeyes. But another slip-up could put Jok’s future with the Hawkeyes in jeopardy. Jok was suspended by coach Fran McCaffery in July and reinstated six weeks later. He and the Hawkeyes (20-13, 9-9 Big Ten in 2013-14) open the season on November 14th against Hampton.