BOSTON (AP) – The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester called home its New England Patriots beat writer from the Super Bowl in Jacksonville after he allegedly plagiarized parts of his Sunday column from a Sports Illustrated writer.

The newspaper published a correction Wednesday, saying “Substantial portions of a column originally written by Peter King and published Jan. 24 on the Sports Illustrated Web site were printed Jan. 30 in the Sunday Telegram under the byline of Ken Powers.”

The newspaper also said that it was conducting a full investigation into the matter.

“We apologize to our readers and to Sports Illustrated,” the newspaper said.

Questions arose about the column after a reader tipped off the paper to similarities between Powers’ and King’s columns. Both columns were about the success of the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, who play in Sunday’s Super Bowl, after both lost their first games of the 2003 season.

Among the questionable passages:

In the second paragraph of his column, Powers wrote, “Each team was 0-1, and each had fallen to 0-1 in rather humiliating fashion. The Patriots had been shut out in Buffalo, 31-0, just four days after releasing very popular defensive captain Lawyer Milloy because he refused to take a substantial pay cut.”

King wrote: “Each team was 0-1, and each had fallen to 0-1 in rather humiliating fashion. The Patriots got shut out in Buffalo 31-0, just four days after whacking very popular defensive captain Lawyer Milloy because he wouldn’t take a major pay cut.”

Another passage in Powers’ column referring to ESPN analyst Tom Jackson’s comment that Patriots players hated head coach Bill Belichick read: “Whatever has been said since that day about Patriots players just shrugging their shoulders over Jackson’s statement is a bunch of bull. Many in the organization were surprised, and Belichick was stunned.”

King’s column read: Whatever has been said in the intervening time about the New England players just shrugging their shoulders over Jackson’s statement is a bunch of bunk. Many in the organization were stunned, and Belichick was really surprised.

Near the end of the column, Powers wrote: “The Patriots will try to pound Corey Dillon. McNabb will move Brian Westbrook everywhere and try to get him to make plays in the open field. But the New England defense is as disciplined as a unit can be. Philly’s defense is second in that category.

King wrote: “The Patriots will try to pound Corey Dillon. McNabb will move Brian Westbrook everywhere and try to get him to make plays in the open field. But the New England defense is as disciplined as a unit can be. Philly’s defense is second in that category.

A message left at a Millbury listing for Ken Powers with a man who identified himself as Powers’ father was not immediately returned.

A request for comment to his work e-mail was not immediately returned. A Worcester listing for Kenneth Powers was disconnected.

Kathy Shaw, the Worcester unit chair for Local 31041 of The Newspaper Guild, said the union is representing Powers. She declined further comment.

Efforts to reach King in Jacksonville were unsuccessful. Allison Keane, a Sports Illustrated spokeswoman, said the magazine would not comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Harry T. Whitin, editor of the Telegram & Gazette, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

AP-ES-02-02-05 1754EST