Right now, the most impressive part of the Akron football program is the Zips' InfoCision Stadium, but the school's goal is to eventually put a perennial winner on the field. Coaches and administrators say it is a realistic goal despite Akron's 17-31 record the past three seasons.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerAkron's year-old InfoCision Stadium is an impressive facility. The team that plays its home games there has been less than impressive in recent years but hopes the stadium can help forge a turnaround.

AKRON, Ohio — "We have the best football facilities in the Mid-American Conference."

University of Akron Athletic Director Tom Wistrcill says that in the same matter-of-fact tone as he would mention that his Zips play host to Syracuse at 6 p.m. today at sparkling InfoCision Stadium.

The Zips also have a terrific fieldhouse. The campus has exploded in terms of growth and beautiful buildings. There are new dorms, new classrooms and an entirely new look. It has turned this once yawner of an urban commuter college into a true urban university that has helped bring downtown Akron alive. The transformation is remarkable.

The football team is not. The Zips are coming off a 3-9 season (2-6 in the Mid-American Conference) in which there were some minor NCAA violations and the coaching staff was fired. The football team's goal is to be worthy of its stadium.

Watching the team practice in its new stadium under rookie coach Ron Ianello, it's not hard to imagine there coming a time when the Zips consistently win more than they lose, when they duel for a bowl bid each season.

"The campus, the stadium, the fieldhouse -- all of it says commitment," said Ianello, a former Notre Dame assistant. "It's a great place to play for anyone."

Former Athletic Director Mack Rhoades did his part, bringing the Indiana Hoosiers to Akron, drawing 18,340. This year, Syracuse comes to town -- a payback for the Zips playing the past two seasons at the home of the Orange.

It's called a 2-for-1. A non-Bowl Championship Series league school such as Akron plays two road games in exchange for one home game against a name opponent such as Syracuse. New MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher has been pushing his schools to find ways to upgrade their home football schedules.

It's common for MAC schools to play nationally ranked teams on the road -- in 2011, the Zips play at Ohio State and Cincinnati. They opened the 2009 season at Penn State. That's why it's significant that Syracuse is coming to Akron.

Mike Cardew / Akron Beacon JournalNew coach Rob Ianello, left, will try to succeed where his precedessors have failed as he tries to turn the Akron Zips into a winning football program.

"Even with a 2-for-1, it still takes a nice facility to convince a BCS team to come to your place," Wistrcill said. "Even then, it's hard. The big schools want at least seven [games], and some prefer eight, at home. They'll pay you $750,000 to $1 million to come to their place -- but they won't play you at home."

In their first season at InfoCision, the Zips averaged 18,886 in their 30,000-seat facility, second in the MAC. Wistrcill is hoping to average 20,000 this season -- but that seems optimistic. They don't have Kent State at home (20,802 in 2009), and everyone in the Zips' program knows it will take Ianello a few years to build a winner.

In 2005, the Zips were 7-6 overall, won the MAC East and played in the Motor City Bowl -- the Zips' only postseason appearance in their Division I-A era.

But they are 17-31 since -- 11-21 in the MAC.

Ianello might play as many as nine true freshmen this season. Several veteran players transferred or quit the team, which is common after a coaching change. The talent level is thin, no surprise for a team that has had four consecutive losing seasons and added a new coach.

After Thursday's practice, Ianello had the team kick a long field goal -- an imaginary game-winner. Then the players rushed to midfield, a practice celebration. There have not been many victories the past few seasons, and he wanted to reward them for a good practice.

He brought the players together and said: "On Saturday, remember that you can't do everything. But everyone can do something. You know what you are supposed to do, then do it. Don't worry about anything else. Ask yourself what is your job . . . then do it. Dial in on what you need to do, that's all I expect."

Ianello is trying to build team unity. He brought the players together Dec. 10, the day he was hired, and insisted, "You are my guys!"

He has had players at his home. Each assistant has a sign reading: They won't care what you say until they know you care. He is stressing the personal touch, along with accountability.

The rules are basic: "Do what you are supposed to do . . . when you are supposed to do it . . . Be early for everything . . . Communicate."

"If you are late for a class or a team meeting, you get up at 5 in the morning and meet the strength coach," Ianello said. "But if you are late for a job, you get fired. We want our guys to learn that."

So what is the future for the Zips?

"Akron has had a few good seasons here and there, but never really sustained it," Wistrcill said. "We want to change it. We want to compete for the MAC East title each season and be in position for a bowl game. We know that there will be some growing pains, but those are realistic goals given our facilities and what has happened on this campus over the last 10 years."

Manager Manny Acta says Jensen Lewis needs to pick up some big innings for his tired bullpen.

 UPDATED: 11:45 p.m.

SEATTLE, Wash. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Mariners tonight in the second game of a four-game series at Safeco Field.

 Safeco Field's dimensions: Left field line 331 feet, left center 390, center field 405, right center 387 and right field line 326. Outfield fence, 8 feet high.

In-game notes:

Score: Mariners 1, Indians 0 after 6 1/2 innings.

No no-no: Luke French took his no-hitter into the seventh by retiring Asdrubal Cabrera on a fly ball to left. Shin-Soo Choo walked and Shelley Duncan, down in the count 1-2, singled through the middle for the Tribe's first hit.

With runners on first and second, Jayson Nix lined out to left and Choo was caught off second for an inning-ending double play.

Early lead: Franklin Gutierrez singled home Ichiro Suzuki for a 1-0 lead in the first as Fausto Carmona pitched himself into a mess. After Gutierrez's single, Carmona walked Russell Branyan to load the bases.

With a big inning percolating, Carmona struck out Jose Lopez and induced a 4-6-3 double play grounder from the bat of Casey Kotchman to limit the damage.

Nothing doing: French held the Indians hitless through the first six innings. He walked Lou Marson in the third and Shin-Soo Choo in the fourth 

 Pre-game notes:

 Game 135: September is going to be a big month for the Jensen Lewis regarding his future with the Indians.

 Lewis was recalled for the fifth time this season on Sept. 1 and manager Manny Acta made it clear when he wants from Lewis.

 "We need him to pick up some good innings out of the bullpen," said Acta. "These guys have worked very hard up here. We need him to pick up some important innings. He's a veteran guy. We need to trust him in some of those situations.

 "We're in a little bind in the bullpen. We had a very stressful homestand with the pen. . .This month is very important for him. He spent the whole season going up and down. He needs to re-establish himself as one of the guys or this organization will probably go in another direction."

 Lewis, 26, has pitched in parts of four seasons for the Indians. He'll be out of options at the end of the year.

 He's 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 26 appearances for the Tribe this year. He's struck out 18, walked 17 and allowed 25 hits in 26 2/3 innings. After giving up 13 homers last year, he's allowed one this year.

 Opposing batters are hitting .253 against him.

 Quick hits:

 -Class AAA Columbus clinched at least a wild card spot for the International League playoffs. The playoffs start Wednesday.

 That means any additional call ups for the Indians won't be coming in the immediate future.

 -The Indians had 10 strikeouts and didn't allow a walk in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Seattle. It was only the ninth time in 134 games that Indians pitchers have not walked a batter this season.

 It was the first time the Indians have had 10 or more strikeouts with no walks
in a game since Sept. 19, 2008 in a 6-4 victory over Detroit.

 Fausto Carmona, Eddie Mujica, Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez struck out 10 that day.

 -The Indians entered Friday's game with six straight victories at Safeco Field. They have not lost a series at Safeco since 2003.

 -A scoring change from Aug. 22 has resulted in Detroit's Austin Jackson losing a hit, Tribe third baseman Jayson Nix getting charged with an error and rookie starter Jeanmar Gomez getting charged with only five earned runs instead of seven.

 The Indians appealed the official scorer's decision to MLB and it was upheld. Nix has eight errors in 20 games at third base for the Tribe.

 -Start time for Saturday's game has been moved from 7:10 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

 Lineups:

 Indians (54-80): CF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 3B Jayson Nix (R), DH Matt LaPorta (R), 1B Andy Marte (R), 2B Jason Donald (R), C Lou Marson (R) and RHP Fausto Carmona (11-13, 4.19).

 Mariners (52-82): RF Ichiro Suzuki (L), 2B Chone Figgins (S), CF Franklin Gutierrez (R), DH Russell Branyan (L), 3B Jose Lopez (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), C Adam Moore (R), LF Michael Saunders (L), SS Josh Wilson (R) and LHP Luke French (3-4, 4.13).

 Umpires: H Hunter Wendelstedt, 1B Brian Runge, 2B Jerry Layne, 3B Mike Winter. Layne, crew chief.

 Quote of the day: "I take my vote as a salute to the little guy, the one who doesn't hit five-hundred home runs. I was one of the guys that did all they could to win. I'm proud of my stats, but I don't think I ever got on for Joe Morgan. If I stole a base, it was to help us win a game, and I like to think that's what made me special." Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, from his induction speech into Cooperstown.

 Next: RHP Mitch Talbot (8-11, 4.61) vs. RHP David Pauley (2-6, 4.26) Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Michael Brantley didn't do much his first two times in Cleveland this year. He's been much better the third time around. Who knows, he might be here to stay.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerOutfielder Michael Brantley didn't hit much in his first two trips to the big leagues this year, but in his third stint with the Tribe in 2010 Brantley is hitting .287 going into Friday's game.

SEATTLE, Wash. — Michael Brantley hit .156 (5-for-32) in his first tour with the Indians this season. The second time around, he hit .157 (11-for-70). Say this for Brantley, he was consistent.

Brantley's third chance came Aug. 6.

Funny thing about third chances. Sometimes it can make all the difference. Sometimes it's just another chance to slam your fingers in the door.

Brantley's fingers, so far, are doing just fine. He's hitting .287 (25-for-87) with two homers and 11 RBI in 21 games since joining the Indians from Class AAA Columbus.

The numbers still aren't pretty when Brantley checks out the scoreboard during his at-bats -- .217 (48-for-189) with 27 runs, four doubles, one triple, three homers and 18 RBI -- but he's getting past that.

"The first two times I was trying to do too much too fast," said Brantley. "I wanted to make a great impression right off the bat and I didn't really need to."

Every time Brantley went back down to Columbus he hit well. His final stat line with the Clippers reads: .319 (87-for-273) with 54 runs, 13 doubles, two triples, four homers and 29 RBI in 67 games.

"Before the last time I got called up, I had a long talk with my father," said Brantley. "He just kept talking about trying to relax. I was able to do that and the results are coming out."

Brantley's father, Mickey, played and coached in the big leagues.

"We're very happy with the way Brantley has played since he was last called up," said manager Manny Acta. "He's made some adjustments with his swing and is setting the table very well for us.

"He's played solid defense in center field. We believe this guy is going to be a good player. We feel he can figure things out up here."

If Grady Sizemore is fully recovered from microfracture surgery on his left knee in time for next season, it will be interesting see who plays center field.

"We need to wait until Grady comes back from that surgery and is 100 percent," said Acta. "Then we'll do what's best for the team."

Stand and deliver: September could be a big month for right-hander Jensen Lewis.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerSeptember will be an important month for Tribe reliever Jensen Lewis. Manager Manny Acta says the right-hander needs to prove the team can rely on him in late-inning situations or Lewis likely will be with a different team next year.

Lewis was recalled for the fifth time this season Sept. 1. Acta made it clear what he wants from Lewis.

"We need him to pick up some good innings out of the bullpen," he said. "These guys have worked very hard up here. We need him to pick up some important innings. He's a veteran guy. We need to trust him in some of those situations.

"We're in a little bind in the bullpen. We had a very stressful homestand with the pen. This month is very important for him. He spent the whole season going up and down. He needs to re-establish himself as one of the guys or this organization will probably go in another direction."

Lewis is 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 26 appearances for the Tribe this year.

Correction: In Thursday's Indians briefing on cleveland.com it was reported that Acta has entered September in last place in each of his three full years of managing. That is not the case.

In 2007, Acta's first year managing in the big leagues, he had the Nationals in fourth place in the NL East on Sept. 1. They finished the year in fourth place at 73-89.

He's back: Matt LaPorta started Friday's game at DH. It was his first time in the starting lineup since Sunday when he strained a muscle in his left hip. If he gets through Friday's game, he could be back at first base Saturday.

On hold: Class AAA Columbus clinched at least a wild card spot for the International League playoffs. The playoffs start Wednesday.

The Indians will wait until Columbus' playoff push runs its course before adding any players.

In control: The Indians had 10 strikeouts and no walks in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Seattle. It was the ninth time in 134 games that Indians pitchers have not walked a batter this season.

It was the first time the Indians have had 10 or more strikeouts with no walks in a game since Sept. 19, 2008, a 6-4 victory over Detroit. Fausto Carmona, Eddie Mujica, Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez combined to strike out 10 that day.

UPDATED: The Indians flirt with being no-hit again Friday night. It doesn't happen, but they do lose, 1-0, to Luke French and Seattle.

View full sizeKevin P. Casey / Associated PressThe Indians' Lou Marson is caught in a rundown between first and second by the Mariners' Josh Wilson in the third inning Friday in Seattle. Marson was tagged out.

SEATTLE, Wash. -- When a team has a chronic problem hitting and scoring runs, this kind of thing is going to keep happening.

Yes, the Indians danced the dance of the no-hitter again Friday night at Safeco Field. No, Detroit's Armando Galarraga wasn't traded to the Mariners, but the left-hander who did it to them had Tigers roots.

Luke French held the Indians hitless through six innings before Duncan singled in the seventh to end his no-hitter. Still, French pitched the Mariners to a 1-0 victory over the Indians on a combined three-hitter with relievers Brandon League and David Aardsma.

French (4-4, 3.64) allowed one hit, struck out four and walked three in seven innings. He threw 99 pitches, 64 for strikes.

"I didn't have the feeling we were going to get no-hit," Duncan said. "The later the game went, the more we were getting on him."

In a game featuring offensively challenged last-place teams, the Indians came out second best. Seattle has the lowest batting average and has scored the fewest runs in the American League, but they were one run better than the Indians on Friday night.

The Indians tried to rally in the ninth against Aardsma. Pinch-hitter Trevor Crowe drew a leadoff walk, but was thrown out on a hit-and-run play with Michael Brantley missing a tough pitch down and away. It proved to be big play because Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera followed with singles. Shin-Soo Choo fouled out to left, but Brantley and Cabrera advanced on a wild pitch with Duncan at the plate.

Aardsma struck out Duncan on a 3-2 pitch after a long at-bat for his 27th save. Duncan chased a high pitch.

"I should have lowered my strike zone," Duncan said. "But in a situation like that, sometimes you get caught chasing pitches. It's something to learn from."

French started the seventh by retiring Cabrera, but walked Choo. Duncan, down in the count, 1-2, singled through the middle to end the drama. The inning ended when Jayson Nix lined out to left and Choo was caught off second base by Michael Saunders for an inning-ending double play.

View full sizeAPIndians starter Fausto Carmona gave up just one run on four hits in eight innings, but it still wasn't enough.

"He was throwing only 83 mph to 84 mph, but it looked a lot harder than that," said first baseman Andy Marte.

Fausto Carmona (11-14, 4.05) was the hard-luck loser. He allowed one run in the first and that was enough to hand him his sixth loss in as many starts. Carmona allowed four hits in his third complete game of the season. He struck out six and walked five.

"Fausto kept us in the game after giving up the run in the first," said manager Manny Acta.

After scoring six runs on 12 hits Thursday, the Indians were held hitless through the first six innings.

French walked Lou Marson with two out in the third. Then he caught Marson attempting to steal second to end the inning.

Choo, who drove in five runs in Thursday's 6-3 victory, walked with two out in the fourth. French retired Duncan on a fly ball to left.

The Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the first.

Ichiro Suzuki opened the game with an infield single. He took second on Chone Figgins walk. Franklin Gutierrez singled for a 1-0 lead.

After Gutierrez's single, Carmona walked Russell Branyan to load the bases.

With a big inning percolating, Carmona struck out Jose Lopez and induced a 4-6-3 double play grounder from the bat of Casey Kotchman to limit the damage.

Carmona leads the AL with 26 double plays.

This is French's third tour with the Mariners this year. The former Detroit Tiger went 11-3 with a 2.94 ERAS in 17 starts at Class AAA Tacoma between trips to Seattle.

The Mariners acquired French on July 31, 2009 from the Tigers in exchange for Jarrod Washburn. They also received lefty Mauricio Robles.

The Indians have flirted with being no-hit this season. On June 2 Galarraga was denied a no-hitter and a perfect game when first base umpire Jim Joyce made a bad call on what should have been the 27th and final out of the game at Comerica Park.

Joyce called Jason Donald safe at first when replays showed he was out. Galarraga settled for a one-hit shutout in Detroit's 3-0 victory.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

A scoring change from an Aug. 22 game results in Detroit's Austin Jackson losing a hit and Nix getting charged with an error.

View full sizeDuane Burleson / Associated PressJayson Nix makes a great play on the ball during this game last month, but he's been having plenty of trouble in the field during the past few weeks.

Clubhouse confidential: Jayson Nix didn't need a scoring change to add another error to his resume at third base. He's doing a good enough job all by himself.

A scoring change from an Aug. 22 game resulted in Detroit's Austin Jackson losing a hit, Nix getting charged with an error and rookie starter Jeanmar Gomez getting charged with only five earned runs instead of seven.

The Indians appealed the official scorer's decision to MLB, and it was upheld. Nix has eight errors in 20 games at third.

"[That day] is over," said Nix, when told of the scoring change before Friday's game. "I've got a job to do today."

Chemistry: Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo have some chemistry between them when it comes to hitting second and third in the lineup. In Thursday's 6-3 victory over Seattle, Cabrera singled to load the bases in the sixth. Choo doubled to unload them. In the ninth, Cabrera singled with two outs and scored on Choo's homer.

"The pitchers keep throwing me fastballs because they don't want to face Choo with a runner on base," said Cabrera. "That's good for me and I really feel comfortable with him hitting behind me. It makes me have good at-bats, too."

Stat of the day: Lou Marson's .191 (39-for-204) batting average ranks 38th among American League catchers. His 23 runs are tied for 11th.

-- Paul Hoynes

It's a bad day for the Cleveland Indians ... the big club loses in Seattle, and all of its minor league clubs lose as well.

View full sizePDIndians prospect Wes Hodges, currently playing in Class AAA Columbus.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Mud Hens 5, Clippers 3 Wes Hodges clubbed his 14th home run for Columbus, but the Clippers lost an International League game at home to Toledo. Zach McAllister (9-12) pitched six innings, giving up five runs -- all earned -- on nine hits and three walks.

Notes: Coupled with Louisville's victory over Indianapolis, the Clippers lead over the Bats in the International League West Division fell to a half game. The Clippers have at least clinched the wild-card spot.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 10, Aeros 5 Erie, Pa., scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh and doubled the score on Akron in an Eastern League game.

Notes: The loss eliminated Akron from the playoffs. The defending Eastern League champs will miss the postseason for the first time since 2004.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Keys 10, Indians 5 Kinston, N.C., starter T.J. House (6-10) gave up five runs (three earned) in six innings as host Frederick, Md., rolled to a victory.

A Lake County Captains

Loons 5, Captains 3 Lake County's Owen Dew (1-2) gave up two runs, both earned, in three innings of middle relief, and the Captains lost a Midwest League game to Great Lakes in Midland, Mich.

Notes: Starting Captains pitcher Brett Brach picked a runner off base in the first inning.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Jammers 6, Scrappers 3 Jamestown, N.Y., scored three in the first and never trailed in a New York-Penn League victory over Mahoning Valley in Niles, Ohio. Cole Cook (0-3) gave up four runs in 41/3 innings.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 1, Kings 0 Lake Erie recorded its third walk-off victory in four nights, with a win over visiting Kalamazoo, Mich., in the Frontier League. Joel Collins knocked in the run with a bases-loaded infield hit.

A rundown of today's Top 25 and local college football games.

View full sizeMike Cardew / Akron Beacon JournalAkron coach Rob Ianello makes his debut tonight with the Zips.

Today's Top 25 games

No. 1 Alabama vs. San Jose State, 7 p.m.

No. 5 Texas at Rice, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

No. 6 TCU vs. Oregon State at Arlington, Texas, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

No. 7 Oklahoma vs. Utah State, 7 p.m.

No. 8 Nebraska vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Oregon vs. New Mexico, 3:30 p.m.

No. 16 Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina State, 1 p.m.

No. 17 Arkansas vs. Tennessee Tech, 7 p.m.

No. 18 North Carolina vs. No. 21 LSU at Atlanta, 8 p.m., WEWS Channel 5

No. 20 Florida State vs. Samford, noon, ESPNU

No. 22 Auburn vs. Arkansas State, 7 p.m.

No. 23 Georgia vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 12:20 p.m.

No. 25 W. Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina, 3:30 p.m.

MONDAY

No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 10 Virginia Tech at Landover, Md., 8 p.m.

Today's Big Ten games

No. 9 Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois, noon, Big Ten Network: Iowa hopes to avoid a repeat of last season's opener, when it needed blocked field-goal attempts on the final two plays of the game to hold off Northern Iowa. Hawkeyes QB and Lake Catholic grad Ricky Stanzi (2,417 yards and 17 TDs last season) is looking for a breakout season.

No. 12 Wisconsin at UNLV, 11 p.m., Versus: The Badgers look to extend their nonconference regular-season winning streak to 25.

No. 19 Penn State vs. Youngstown State, noon, BTN: YSU, from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), hasn't won a road opener since 1993. Also, YSU hasn't scored a TD against a Football Bowl Subdivision school since a game against Kent State in 2003.

Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports Ohio: This is the sixth and final time these teams will meet in St. Louis, which is probably good for Illinois. Mizzou has won the past five games.

Michigan vs. Connecticut, 3:30 p.m., WEWS Channel 5: Today is the rededication game for renovated Michigan Stadium, now the nation's largest stadium with a capacity of 109,901. Wolverines hope it means a rebirth under Rich Rodriguez, who has been 5-7 and 3-9 in his first two seasons.

Michigan State vs. Western Michigan, noon, ESPN2: MSU returns 15 starters, including All-American and 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones at linebacker.

Northwestern at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m.: NU returns eight of 16 starters on the offensive side of the ball, but will be breaking in a new starting QB in Dan Persa.

Purdue at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., WKYC Channel 3: The Brian Kelly era begins for Notre Dame. New QBs for both teams: Purdue's Robert Marve, a transfer from Miami (Fla.); and Dayne Crist for the Irish. Crist struggled with a knee injury last season, and, Kelly said, "will see his first tackle and first hit against Purdue."

Today's MAC games

Akron vs. Syracuse, 6 p.m.: Akron debuts under first-year coach Rob Ianello. Look for freshman FB Austin Bailey to be an integral part of the offense, running and receiving.

Bowling Green at Troy, 7 p.m.: BG is rebuilding after a 7-6 season in 2009. Only eight starters return.

Eastern Michigan vs. Army, 7 p.m.: Eagles return 44 letter winners and 12 starters from an 0-12 team. EMU DB Marty Cardwell ranked second on last season's team with 105 tackles.

Miami (Ohio) at No. 4 Florida, noon, ESPN: RedHawks have 20 starters back from last year's 1-11 team. Gators turn to QB Josh Brantley after departure of All-American Tim Tebow.

Ohio vs. Wofford, 7 p.m.: OU, the defending MAC East Division champion, will use up to three quarterbacks to keep Wofford guessing.

Today's NAIA, Division III games

NAIA

Notre Dame College at Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m., Blue Raider Stadium, Columbia, Ky.

Radio: WKNR2 AM/1540.

Notable: Notre Dame (0-1) and Lindsey Wilson (0-0) are two of 93 football programs in the NAIA. NDC, located in South Euclid, lost to Mercyhurst in its opener last week at Brush High. NDC is playing its first year of varsity football and has applied for membership in NCAA Division II, a process that will take a few years. The Falcons are playing a mix of NAIA and Division II competition this season.

DIVISION III

Case Western Reserve vs. John Carroll

Kickoff: 7 p.m., Case Field.

TV: SportsTime Ohio (tape delay, 3 p.m. Monday.

Notable: The Spartans enter the contest with a 31-game regular season winning streak and have won three consecutive University Athletic Association championships. Case was 10-1 last season ago and qualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs for a third consecutive season. Spartan head coach Greg Debeljak (44-20 in six seasons) is a 1988 John Carroll graduate and served on JCU head coach Regis Scafe's staff for 12 years. Scafe is a 1971 graduate of Case and was the Spartans' head coach for four seasons. For the first time in four years, Case has a new face under center. Senior Joey Baum will look to follow in the footsteps of graduated All-American Dan Whalen (Willoughby South).

Hiram vs. Westminster (Pa.)

Kickoff: 1 p.m., Charles A. Henry Field, Hiram.

Notable: This nonconference game is both teams' opener. Westminster returns 12 starters from last season's team that went 4-6. Hiram returns 15 starters from last season's 0-10 team. Sophomore QB Brendan Rehor is back after throwing for 991 yards, five touchdowns, and 15 interceptions as a freshman last year.

Oberlin at Kenyon

Kickoff: 2 p.m., McBride Field, Gambier, Ohio.

Radio: WOBL AM/1320.

Notable: Game marks the 81st meeting between the schools, dating back to 1892, Oberlin's second year as a program. The Yeomen, under coach John W. Heisman (yes, that Heisman), defeated the Lords, 38-0. The Yeomen come into the 2010 season with a new-look backfield, including freshman Moses Richardson.

-- From staff and wire reports

Wittenberg, coming off a 10-0 season in 2009, remains the team to beat.

Coaches' predicted order of finish: 1. Wittenberg; 2. Wabash; 3. Allegheny; 4. Wooster; 5. Ohio Wesleyan; 6. Denison; 7. Kenyon; 8. Oberlin; 9. Hiram.

Wittenberg went 10-0 last season and won two playoff games before losing to eventual champion Wisconsin-Whitewater. Wabash most recently won the NCAC title in 2008. Wittenberg is led by returning NCAC and NCAA Division III Defensive Player of the year Eddie Vallery, a senior defensive end. He led the nation in sacks as a junior with 161/2.

Hiram

Coach: Randy Moore, first year.

Last season: 0-10, 0-7 NCAC (10th).

Key players: QB Brendan Rehor (Bay), RB Rodney Jacobs; RB Chris Austin (Glenville); RB Luke Lewis; WR/QB Glenn Campbell (Buchtel); LB Jon Hull.

Notable: Hiram has a new coach in Randy Moore and an almost entirely new coaching staff. Fifteen starters are back, including senior Glenn Campbell, who was all-conference last year. Campbell had 900 yards of the team's 2,298 yards of total offense in 2009. He saw playing time at WR and QB, and led the team in kickoff returns with 290 yards. Two-time All-NCAC LB Jon Hull, a junior, also returns. Hull led the Terriers in tackles for the second straight season with 77 (21 solo, 56 assists). He also tallied 2.5 tackles for loss of 7 yards, one interception, a fumble recovery and a team-high three pass breakups.

Schedule: Today, Westminster (Pa.), 1; Sept. 11 at Kenyon, 1; Sept. 18, Denison, 1; Sept. 25, Oberlin, 1; Oct. 2 at Carnegie Mellon, 1; Oct. 9 at Wittenberg, 1; Oct. 16, Case Western Reserve, 1; Oct. 30 at Wooster, 1; Nov. 6, Allegheny, 1; Nov. 13 at Ohio Wesleyan. 1.

Oberlin

Coach: Jeff Ramsey, first year at Oberlin.

Last season: 2-8, 2-5 (tied for eighth).

Key players: RB Adam Lowther; RB Sean Curtis; WR Ryan Harvey; C Chris Pottmeyer; DL Cody Wiewandt, DL Adam Wigren.

Notable: Injuries in 2009 forced the Yeomen to go with third-stringer David Kalgren at QB in his first college season. This year, Josh Mandel takes over. Ten starters are back on offense, and 10 on defense. Standout recruit Moses Richardson will look to add depth and speed to the Yeomen backfield. The entire starting OL is back. Pottmeyer was a 2009 NCAC honorable mention selection. Defensively, Oberlin is led by all-conference performers Solomon Turner and Cody Wiewandt, both of whom earned honorable mention All-NCAC honors in 2009.

Schedule: Today at Kenyon, 2; Sept. 18 at Wooster, 1; Sept. 25 at Hiram; Oct. 2, Wittenberg, 1; Oct. 9, Case Western Reserve, 1; Oct. 16 at Wabash, 1; Oct. 23 at Washington University (St. Louis), 1; Oct. 30, Denison, 1; Nov. 6, Ohio Wesleyan, 1; Nov. 13, Allegheny, 1.

University Athletic Association overview

Case Western Reserve

Coach: Greg Debeljak, seventh season at Case Western Reserve (44-20).

Last season: 10-1, 3-0 UAA (first).

Key players: Zach Homyk, Sr, WR (69 rec., 1032 yards, 12 TD); Sam Coffey, Sr, PK (9-of-16 FG, 57-of-62 PAT); Shaun Nicely, Sr, WR (45 rec., 459 yards, 7 TD); Dale English, Jr, DT (52 tackles, 6 sacks, 15.0 tackles for loss); Billy Deitmen, Sr, RB (253 yards, 2 TD); Derek Bush, Sr, RB (207 yards, 2 TD); Richard Doolin, Jr, DE (45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss).

Notable: Case is picked to win its fourth consecutive UAA title. The Spartans return 27 letter winners and eight starters but will be without graduated All-America QB Dan Whalen (Willoughby South) for the first time in four seasons. Senior QB Joey Baum (Walsh Jesuit) will rely on the protection of veteran offensive linemen Marcus Kluczynski, Tony Opperman, Michael Allen and Matt Yanosko (St. Ignatius). Two of the UAA's top WRs return in Homyk and Nicely (Willoughby South). English (Holy Name) was an all-UAA selection at defensive end.

Schedule: Today, John Carroll, 7; Sept. 11 at Rochester, 7; Sept. 25 Denison, 7; Oct. 2 Allegheny, 1; Oct. 9 at Oberlin, 1; Oct. 16 at Hiram, 1; Oct. 23, Wooster, 1; Oct. 30 at Chicago, 1; Nov. 6, Washington University (St. Louis), noon; Nov. 13, Carnegie Mellon, 2.

-- Information from the respective schools' college

sports information departments was used in this report.

After she recovered her stolen minivan, Katie Spotz -- who rowed solo across the Atlatic Ocean this year -- said "It looks like I used up all of my luck on the row."

David I Anderson / The Plain DealerKatie Spotz, shown here in a photograph from last year, rows in Mentor Harbor.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Katie Spotz, who has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, biked across the United States and swam the Allegheny River, endured a new experience Friday -- driving her minivan home on Friday with a screwdriver in the ignition.

It was a bothersome experience for the 23-year-old Mentor resident, whose 2000 Dodge minivan was stolen overnight Sunday while at a friend's home on Larchmere Boulevard in Cleveland.

Spotz said she parked the beige van in a lot with 10 other cars. When she awoke Monday to leave for work, her vehicle was gone.

But that wasn't all. Spotz, who in March became the youngest person and the first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, lost the oars she used on that journey from Dakar, Senegal, to Georgetown, Guyana. They are valued at $2,000.

Thieves also stole her road bike, a Giant OCR 2, with a 54-inch frame, which she said was worth $3,700, plus her bike gear, which she valued at $5,000. It's the same bike she used on a 3,300-mile trek across the United States in 2006.

Also taken were photos of her Atlantic crossing coming-home event in Mentor. She had them enlarged to 3 feet by 2 feet to use at speaking events.

Nancy Dominik, a Cleveland police spokeswoman, said Spotz's minivan was recovered Monday at East 127th Street and Dove Avenue. It was towed to a police impound lot, where Spotz finally reclaimed it Friday evening.

"Everything I had of value is gone, even some of the seats," Spotz said.

She said thieves left three things -- two compact discs -- one titled "Go Hard or Drive Home," the other "Trap or Die 2" -- and a fake gold ring.

"What I can't understand is what these people are doing with my custom oars," she said. "They don't serve people any kind of purpose."

Spotz told police she had locked her minivan, whose book value is $5,000. Police told her that model is one of the most stolen vehicles in Ohio.

Driving home Friday was no fun.

"The engine doesn't sound too good," Spotz said. "Police say they ran the engine hard, and it almost sounds like it's burned out. It looks like I used up all of my luck on the row."

Spotz, who last year also became the first person to swim the entire 325-mile length of the Allegheny River, said her bad luck carried over to Tuesday.

Her friend stopped at a lottery store, where he said, "Let's change your luck right now."

Spotz said that as she put the dollar he gave her on the counter, the clerk said the store was sold out of lottery tickets.

"Can you believe that?" she said. "What store runs out of lottery tickets? The only good thing I guess I can say happened this week was I saved a dollar."

The fourth-year cornerback is among the Browns' cuts, he says.

The three-year run of Brandon McDonald at cornerback has come to an end, he says in a Tweet.

CLEVELAND -- Brandon McDonald has been cut by the Browns, the cornerback announced on his Twitter account.

 McDonald started 27 of 48 games the past three seasons. He lost his job on a few occasions, due to breakdowns in coverage and the running game, but kept regaining it. He co-led the Browns in 2008 with five interceptions.

 McDonald got into hot water this summer when he made offensive remarks in a Tweet regarding the Bengals' acquisition of receiver Terrell Owens.

McDonald was a fifth-round pick in 2007.

 The Browns say they won't announce their cutdown to 53 players until 6 p.m.

Woods, 5-under after two rounds, boosts chances to stay in FedEx Cup play and to make Ryder Cup team. Mickelson, 8-under, moves into contention with players still on the course, and boosts chances to pass Woods as first-ranked golfer.

Associated PressTiger Woods during today's second round at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson both shot 6-under par 65's during second-round play at the Deutsche Bank Championship today on the TPC Boston course in Norton, Mass. - both rounds significant for numerous reasons.

The tournament is the second in four events of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Woods began the Deutsche Bank tourney No. 65 in the playoff standings. Woods is 5-under par for the tournament. Today's round insures that he will make the cut for Sunday's third and Monday's fourth rounds, keeping Woods' hopes alive for advancing to the third playoff tournament next week in Lemont, Ill.

The top 70 players in the standings after the Deutsche Bank Championship advance to the BMW Championship that begins on Thursday. Woods' 65 also helps his chances to be named to the United States' Ryder Cup team by captain Corey Pavin.

Mickelson's round puts him at 8-under par for the tournament and in solid contention behind scoreboard leaders such as Brandt Snedeker, who fired a 7-under 64 today and currently stands first at 12-under for his two rounds.

Also, several combination of finishes for Mickelson and Woods in the tournament would enable Mickelson to surpass Woods as the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world.

Several tournament contenders are in the midst of their second rounds. Next to Snedeker among players who have completed play today is Luke Donald at 10-under.

Houshmandzadeh, 32, has reportedly been released by Seattle. He has 586 career receptions, including 79 last season.

Associated PressT.J. Houshmandzadeh (84) after catching a pass for the Seattle Seahawks last season.

The Seattle Seahawks have cut wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, according to an ESPN.com source.

ESPN.com, with help from the Associated Press, reports:

The Seahawks signed Houshmandzadeh to a five-year, $40 million contract last offseason, and Seattle will wind up having paid him $15 million for his one season with the Seahawks.

The 32-year-old Houshmandzadeh caught 79 passes (for 911 yards -- 11.5 yards per catch -- and three touchdowns) last season and will be a bargain for another team this season.

Playing most of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Houshmandzadeh has career totals of 586 receptions for 6,693 yards and 40 touchdowns. The Browns do not have an established "go-to" receiver who is anywhere near the prime of his career. Could Houshmandzadeh be that player, if only for a couple years or so? Should the Browns be among several teams that will try to sign him?

Thome, 40, has clouted two homers in today's Twins game. He's the Indians' all-time home run leader with 334. He's slugged 250 more since leaving Cleveland as a free agent after 2002 season.

Associated PressJim Thome responds to a curtain call from Twins fans after slugging his 584th career home run.

Minneapolis, Minn. -- Jim Thome has passed Mark McGwire for ninth place on baseball's all-time home run list, hitting a pair of homers for Minnesota to reach 584 for his career.

Thome sent a pitch from Texas starter Colby Lewis soaring into the second deck above right field leading off the third inning of Saturday's game. The team estimated the distance at 449 feet.

Then in the fourth, with two on and two out, Thome hit a drive to left-center that landed in the bullpen and made it 9-0, finishing Lewis.

This was Thome's 46th career multi-homer game. He has 20 homers in just 237 at-bats this season, reaching that milestone for the 16th time in his career.

Next up on the homer list is Frank Robinson with 586.

From Baseball-Reference.com, baseball's all-time home run leaders, prior to today's two-homer game by Thome.

The Indians' all-time home run leaders (home runs, followed by plate appearances):

It might be impossible, but Browns owner Randy Lerner must try to patch up the rift with Jim Brown. For his football career alone, Brown is still a revered figure in town.

JOHN KUNTZ / THE PLAIN DEALERBrowns owner Randy Lerner, here talking to Jim Brown in 2006, needs to speak to the Browns' all-time leading rusher in an effort to heal the rift that has developed between Brown and the organization.

It never seemed right that Johnny Unitas finished his career with the San Diego Chargers, not the Baltimore Colts, or that Joe Namath ended as a Ram, not a Jet. Certain players should stay where they first earned the admiration of their fans, first occupied a place in their hearts, and first captured the imagination of a whole city.

No one likes to see such great players estranged from the franchises that were the touchstones of their careers, but it is sadly understandable if they want to prolong their careers.

It is harder to understand if the player is not only the franchise's all-time best, but the best anywhere. Such players should be basking in the applause and appreciation of the fans. They should be revivifying great memories. They should not be using words the way they lowered their shoulders or stiffened their arms to send opponents reeling. They have no opponents now, except those they wish to create.

Jim Brown's bitter, angry letter to the Browns, announcing his intention to skip the inaugural Ring of Honor ceremonies on Sept. 19, has estranged the team's iconic running back from the fans and from the custodians of the franchise today. Maybe it is simply "Jim being Jim," the way strange behavior was seen as "Manny being Manny" with the Indians. Only with racial slurs in Brown's case.

Brown fought for every inch on the field of play, so it is natural to assume he would fight for every scrap of influence he had accrued under Randy Lerner's stewardship of the franchise. Still, one wonders how much power any 74-year-old ex-player, even the game's greatest one, who had been out of the game since 1965, would have held with any owner except the reclusive Lerner.

So accustomed are fans to Brown's intemperate outbursts that even his latest race-baiting would be tolerated if he would consent to come back to the family. He is the eternal agitator, unassimilated, perhaps unassimilable. His refusal to budge an inch is part of his stubborn appeal. So many athletes recently have stood for the national anthem and not much else.

Brown's desire is to remain relevant, to rage against the dying of light. He will consent neither to being a "greeter" or a "mascot," which are the sulfurous terms he used for the downsized role new team President Mike Holmgren has given him.

Brown, sensitive soul that he claims to be, says he has been disrespected because his advice carries no weight now. Unfortunately, he feels free to trash others' reputations without qualm, using racial smears based on flimsy evidence. He put words in Holmgren's mouth, then criticized him for them. It is a nice trick, if you can pull it off before an inattentive audience.

He says Lerner reneged on the terms of their agreement for his consulting position. Given the popularity and credibility of Holmgren, this would be read as entitlement in many cities. It certainly is by me.

Only Lerner can fix this, and maybe even his efforts would be impossible, given Brown's apparent intransigence. But he must try.

Because Brown had the greatest career anyone ever had, and all of it was here. Because Lerner must prove he is the bigger man, with the more generous impulse to reconciliation. Because he has the greater charge to heal the breach.

In "Ball Four," pitcher Jim Bouton wrote movingly that he had "spent a good piece of (his) life gripping a baseball, only to find it was the other way around all the time."

The man on the street wants to see the implacable old football hero in Cleveland Browns Stadium in two weeks. Even if Brown cannot get a grip on his emotions, his hold on so many here endures.

From the top of the organization on down, the Browns have a lot of work to do to quiet their national critics.

John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer Browns owner Randy Lerner (left) and team president Mike Holmgren talk during a practice in Berea.

The Cleveland Browns are not getting any respect in the various power rankings (USAToday.com, ESPN.com, FoxSports.com) as the NFL season approaches.

Nor are Browns' individuals now held in much esteem nationally.

Beginning at the top.

Michael Silver and Yahoo! Sports ranks the owners of the league's 32 teams. At No. 29, from the Cleveland Browns:

Randy Lerner: I hope Lerner sent a thank-you card to LeBron James this summer; only “The Decision” could make Cleveland fans forget the debacle of this checked-out boss’s stewardship. Since the recast Browns rejoined the league in ’99, only the Lions have a worse record, and Lerner’s disinterested management style and impulsive directional shifts are a big reason why. The low point came last November when Lerner, in an effort to show the increasingly riled-up fan base he truly cares about the Browns, hosted a meeting in his office with the fat guy who wears the giant dog bone on his head on Sundays and another disgruntled fan. Lerner, according to Dawgpound Mike, “listened to everything we had to say” and “asked our opinions on a number of things.”

Once a team takes the field, there isn't much an owner can do. Quarterback is the most critical position between the sidelines. John Clayton ranks the league's signal-callers for ESPN.com. There are 32 teams. Starting at quarterback for the Browns, at No. 33:

Jake Delhomme, Cleveland Browns

Analysis: Interceptions in the playoff loss to Arizona in 2008 led to a downward spiral for a quarterback who won a lot of games for John Fox and the Panthers. At 35, Delhomme has no chance of being a starter anywhere else if he doesn't cut it in Cleveland.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent 

And, of course, the ultimate indignity: disdain from the fantasy leaguers. On ESPN.com, scroll all the way down to No. 60 to find the highest-ranking Brown among the NFL's offensive "skill position" players.

The Browns certainly won't be lacking for motivation when they open the season next Sunday at Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.

Browns watch

Plain Dealer Browns coverage includes beat writer Tony Grossi's report that cornerback Brandon McDonald "tweeted" he was among today's roster cuts; a Bill Livingston column regarding the Jim Brown/Ring of Honor ceremony controversy; beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report that rookie running back Montario Hardesty will miss the season with a knee injury; Cabot's Cleveland Browns Insider; a Starting Blocks fans poll.

Look out

FoxSports.com previews this season's Browns. After some nice things written about quarterback Jake Delhomme, a mention of the Browns' pass defense in the preseason games:

Quarterback is set, but the Browns have some major concerns on defense. While Delhomme was tearing up opponents, starting quarterbacks were shredding the Browns secondary. Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Feeley and Matt Stafford combined to complete 30 of 36 passes.

Opponents threw 96 passes. The Browns produced one sack. A sack isn't the only statistic that matters, but the Browns did not get much pressure on the quarterbacks.

The Browns traded Kamerion Wimbley, their 2009 sack leader, to the Raiders in the offseason for a third-round draft pick. But it wasn't like they traded Lawrence Taylor. Wimbley had a pedestrian 6.5 sacks last season.

Run to daylight

A look at the Browns' AFC North Division by Pete Prisco for CBSSports.com.

Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald questions the Browns' drafting of Montario Hardesty.

James Walker of ESPN.com answers some readers' questions about the Browns and the AFC North.