Pierce Admits It: Former Iowa Hawkeye Pierre Pierce avoided a jury trial by pleading guilty to sexual abuse, third-degree burglary, criminal mischief and false imprisonment. Amid jury selection for his trial, Pierce decided to plead to charges that do not include a possible 25-year sentence for first-degree burglary. Pierce had been charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend in January. A judge will sentence him Oct. 14, when prosecutors and Pierce’s lawyers will argue about the appropriate punishment for his crimes. [8/22/05]