"The man is an absolute god," said Nick Swisher, who played with Jeter from 2009-12. "The way that he went out will never ever be replicated. That was one of the coolest things that I've seen.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At first, Terry Francona thought Derek Jeter's heroics on Thursday evening weren't surprising. Then, he gave it some more thought.

"When you think back on it, how in the world can it not be?" Francona said. "Twenty years, the guy plays for a team. Gets his last game in his home stadium and how does it work out like that? For him to come through with a hit probably sums up Jeter."

Jeter notched a walk-off single in his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium. The script unfolded in such a surreal manner that any Hollywood director would have found it too cheesy to film. This was real life, though. This was the epitome of what Jeter has meant to baseball.

"The man is an absolute god," said Nick Swisher, who played with Jeter from 2009-12. "The way that he went out will never ever be replicated. That was one of the coolest things that I've seen.

"Everyone that watched that game or got the chance to sit down and enjoy that witnessed something that you're never going to see again."

Some said the hype surrounding Jeter's final home game and final season was over the top. Every home team presented him with gifts upon his final trip to each ballpark. The Indians gave him a guitar.

With one swift, patented inside-out swing of the bat, Jeter capped his 20-year career with a moment deserving of all of the adulation and more.

"He's always ready for the moment," said Francona, who managed against him on a regular basis while in Boston. "If it seems like there are more moments with him, maybe it's because he makes [them]. They are moments that might not be for other people, because he seems to be in a position to allow that to happen at crucial times of games."

Francona's first memory of Jeter came before the shortstop ever reached the majors. He watched Jeter venture to his right and make an impressive stop and throw from his backside while playing in the Arizona Fall League.

"I remember sitting there thinking, 'Damn. That was one hell of a play. I just saw him two years ahead of everybody else,'" Francona said. "I'll never forget that. That was so athletic that it just stopped you for a minute."

The Yankees close out their season at Fenway Park this weekend. Then, Jeter will sail off into the sunset.

"Baseball is going to miss a man like that," Swisher said.

Armed and ready: The Indians entered the weekend with four relievers who have logged 70 or more appearances. Bryan Shaw led the way with 79, tied for the most in a season in franchise history, with Bob Howry in 2005.

"To do that, you have to be good," Francona said. "It's not just luck. You have to bounce back. You have to work at it. You have to find ways to command pitches, because you're facing teams multiple times over and over again, the same hitters. He's been durable and he loves to pitch."

Francona has a card that details which relievers are available for certain situations. In the middle of the season, when Shaw was racking up appearances and was unavailable, Francona would write "down" to indicate he could not be used that night.

"He'd scratch it out and put 'awesome,'" Francona said. "He still wasn't pitching."

Tito's vodka: Francona, Sandy Alomar, Corey Kluber, T.J. House and Zach Walters served as celebrity bartenders at an event on Thursday night to benefit VeloSano, a cycling-based cause that raises money for cancer research.

"They tell you to count to three when you're pouring [liquor]," Francona said. "People seemed to be coming back. They probably got a little over-served."

"Sometimes, to me, when I watch Braxton, his athleticism is his downfall at times," Smith said. "He's so athletic, he's so fast, he's so strong, I think he takes away, sometimes, from being that guy that can just understand and maintain that the pocket is your savior."

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The plan for Braxton Miller is to be Ohio State's quarterback next year, to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season after recovering from his second shoulder surgery. 

When he comes back, the good old Braxton Miller makes Ohio State a national title contender. But Miller has the chance to be more. 

Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith – who made one of the most drastic quarterback transformations in college football in recent memory – wants to see Braxton Miller the quarterback. 

"With this spread offense, I think hopefully he gets a chance to understand what he really needs to do as a quarterback to still be a quarterback," Smith said Friday before formally being inducted into Ohio State's Hall of Fame. "I don't want him to be a glorified Denard Robinson. I want to see him be a quarterback. I know he loves to be a quarterback, regardless if when he runs the football he looks like a superhero. I think he loves to throw the football, but that takes time." 

Before Miller was lost for the season during a routine throw in training camp that tore his labrum, Ohio State's coaching staff raved about his progression mentally. 

View full sizeQuarterback Braxton Miller is a gifted runner. Former Buckeyes QB Troy Smith thinks he can transform into the ultimate quarterback. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer 

Miller missed spring football with his first shoulder surgery he suffered in the Orange Bowl. But while he was out, the coaches said he made the most of his mental reps, that he understood the offense on a whole new level. 

Part of Smith's progression was embracing what it meant to be a quarterback, then he stopped being an athlete who just got the ball first on every play. Smith sat in the pocket, ran rarely, and passed the football around as efficiently, if not more, than any other quarterback in college football the last 20 years. Then he won a Heisman and led Ohio State to the national title game in 2006. 

Smith thinks that Miller has that kind of progression in him, even if his athleticism makes him a more gifted ball carrier. 

"Sometimes, to me, when I watch Braxton, his athleticism is his downfall at times," Smith said. "He's so athletic, he's so fast, he's so strong, I think he takes away, sometimes, from being that guy that can just understand and maintain that the pocket is your savior. 

"I didn't get the whole gist of what happened with Braxton and his shoulder, but to me, it's a product of the hits over the years, possibly. I truly believe in his ability to throw the football, his decision making and I know he's the guy to lead us to a national championship." 

Troy Smith did not seem to be Heisman Trophy material when he got the last scholarship to Ohio State before the 2002 football season. But one coach made all the difference -- and it is not the one most Buckeyes fans would think of. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Before Troy Smith won the 2006 Heisman Trophy, before he was inducted into the Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night, before he almost became Ohio State's hands-down greatest quarterback, he never looked the part.

Smith was in trouble in high school. He left St. Edward because of a forearm to the head of an unsuspecting Toledo St. John's player in a basketball game, in what Smith said in a disputed charge was a racially tinged incident.

After landing at Glenville, he was the last player to get an Ohio State scholarship in his recruiting year, taken not as a quarterback but, as his information sheet said, an "athlete." No one knew what to do with him or how he would handle it when discipline did come his way.

He was expected to sit behind the much more heralded Justin Zwick of Massillon. After winning the job when Zwick got hurt Smith had to win it again after being suspended for the 2004 Alamo Bowl for taking money from a booster here.

Smith, the Michigan killer, was the man who put the blue in Michigan fans' heart after The Game three straight times. But he was a spare part in his first Michigan game because of a campus fight days before it .

Friday, asked the name of the man who made the difference in his career, Smith spoke of a mentor who gave him the map for the trip, who made him a pocket quarterback, who believed in him as a leader, who became, as Smith said, "Everything to me."

He was not primarily Jim Tressel, Smith's head coach at Ohio State, or Ted Ginn Sr., his high school coach, or Jim Bollman, his offensive coordinator.

He was Joe Daniels, the quarterbacks coach on Tressel's staff from 2001-09, who died of kidney cancer in 2011.

"It's always the ones behind the scenes. Joe Daniels was definitely my father figure," Smith said. "As one of his pupils, as far as trying learn the quarterback position, I don't think I've had a guy who was better than the way he taught it -- without being 'extra' about it, without added emphasis on crazy speeches or trying to be clichéd.

"That wasn't coach Daniels. It was objective. One hundred percent black and white, either you did it or you didn't. He treated us all the same way. That's why I respected him."

Through his mentor, Smith found a way out from under the chip on his shoulder around authority figures and a path away from his bitterness when he wasn't playing.

"Joe Daniels had coached Dan Marino in (college at) Pittsburgh. Dan Marino is is my favorite quarterback," Smith said. "I wanted him to tell me everything he told Dan. I wanted him to give me same love he gave Dan. In five  years he never raised his voice at me, not once, but he got his point across.

"I was miles away from home and his wife Kathy and their two kids opened their home to me on multiple occasions, maybe for a meal, maybe for a place to lay my head, whatever it was. He gave me everything. "

Smith never forgot the day Daniels told him, "I think you can lead this team."

Smith had the magnetic personality of a leader. He never had to take leadership classes, as shy, injured senior Braxton Miller has done under Urban Meyer. Smith also, despite his troubles, bonded with his teammates. He was never the divisive player Terrelle Pryor was.

Under Daniels, Smith, now playing in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes, learned the angels are in the details in football. He finds himself thinking about "A&I", "Adjust and Improvise," a favorite Daniels expression, and hears himself saying those words to his daughter, Taniya, 6, and son, Troy Jr., 2.

In his redshirt freshman year  of 2002, he was "taking that blue electrical tape and putting wings on my hat with the scout team and pretending to be one of their (Michigan's) players, with the shots you took because you learned from the older players then that this week is something special, this is not to be played around with," he said.

He ran wild in 2004 against the already Big Ten champion Wolverines in 2004.

In a flaming comeback win in Ann Arbor in 2005 and in a shootout victory between the nation's top two teams in 2006, he morphed into the pocket passer Daniels and Tressel wanted.

Smith, who got his degree at Ohio State, in part because of his supportive coaches, shows why college football can still be important, despite the cynicism  and the concussions and the commercialism.

It also shows how the best coaches really are teachers. Many lost players find in a coach a father figure.

Once found, they are seldom forgotten. Even from the grave, they can inspire us.

LeBron James' return made the Cavs more attractive to veteran players, but it was Kevin Love's signing that made players believe a championship is really possible.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Friday's media day session was all business for the Cavaliers. LeBron James set the tone from the offset. He didn't smile much. Slumped in his seat on the podium, his body language looked as if all he wanted to do was fast-forward to the first day of practice, which is Saturday.

King James was home and the media wanted to get his reaction to being back, but he wanted no part. To him, it's old news. As the leader of this team, it's his job to make sure the team has the proper mindset heading into what most anticipate will be a special season.

A championship special season is the goal, and now James returns knowing exactly what it takes.

"The challenge is every day we have to understand we can't waste that day," James said. "We have to prepare each and every day to get better. Each and every day to each and every week, to month. If we don't shortcut the process, we're going to give ourselves a good chance of competing at the end of the year."

James' presence obviously changes the landscape of this franchise in so many ways. General manager David Griffin said Friday afternoon that you couldn't find a better recruiter in James. With the best player in the world electing to return to where it all started, the organization was infused with hope, something that was absent prior.

However, the deal to acquire Kevin Love from Minnesota took the organization to an extraordinary height when it comes to expectations. What it did was confirm that Cleveland was indeed the new capital of the NBA. And that's what sold members of this team.

James, as he does, set the tone by bringing hope. Love brought belief.

"Honestly, LeBron coming here wasn't enough," said forward Shawn Marion, who came to the Cavs over the summer. "I think it was more so finalizing a deal with Kevin Love. I think that sealed it for me. It made it more realistically like, 'We do have a shot to win a championship this year.'

"That's why I waited as long as I could...It was more so being in a position where I felt like I had another chance to win a championship."

Guard Kyrie Irving was quite busy this summer with Team USA when he got concrete word that Love was coming. He told Northeast Ohio Media Group on Friday that the addition of Love put them in the conversation of championship-caliber teams.

"He (Love) definitely did it for me, too," Irving told NEOMG. "All three of us together, it's kind of like a video game now. But, it's real life and we have a lot to accomplish in the next few months in order to put ourselves in position to win a championship. I feel like we had a great chance when LeBron came back, but having three guys of our caliber on one team, it's definitely going to be tough for teams."

When Love got word of what his teammates had to say about him, he said he had no clue they felt he was the missing link. He called it an "extreme compliment," but he made sure he added that there's work to be done to make it a reality.

"If I was the missing link, it's a great thing to be said about me, but I'm going to have to go out there and prove it," Love told NEOMG. "It's fun to think about what we'll be able to accomplish with this team. I know it's not just going to be me; it's going to be a number of different players that's going to be able to help us. It's going to be fun."

James set the tone by recommitting to Cleveland. People took notice. Cleveland started to look intriguing. Griffin then slickly maneuvered Love into the mix, and the rest is history.

All that was needed was a little bit of Love. The belief is there, now it's about putting action to it.

"I like what we have," Love said. "It's going to be about putting it all together, but we definitely have what it takes to compete for a championship."

Irving got away from the facility and the frustration that funneled through the organization. The two-time All-Star went to play for Team USA, helping lead a roster of stars to a gold medal while being named Team MVP.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving left for the summer, he didn't know what would be waiting for him upon his return.

The Cavs had just finished a disappointing 33-49 season that led to Chris Grant, the general manager who drafted Irving with the first pick in 2011, being fired. And there was speculation that head coach Mike Brown would be the next to go.

For Irving, it was another losing season, his third straight. Only this time the blame was placed directly on his sometimes-fragile shoulders.

He pouts too much. He doesn't play defense. He's not a team player. He only plays well in All-Star games where there is no structure. He doesn't deserve max money. Those were the highlighted criticisms. All the while, the losing and chemistry issues that led to bickering were taking their toll on the 22-year-old.

"The past three years dealing with a big burden and a lot of expectations, a lot of it I thought I was ready for at the moment, but you never know how hard it is until you actually get to it," Irving said Friday afternoon during Cavaliers Media Day.

So Irving got away from the facility and the frustration that funneled through the organization. The two-time All-Star went to play for Team USA, helping lead a roster of stars to a gold medal while being named Team MVP.

It turned out to be the best decision of his career.

"This past summer was such a big summer for me in terms of learning the nuances of the game and regaining a love for it," Irving said. "Playing on a team that had so many great players, I felt like I belonged in that environment. That's something that I was truly appreciative of every day. That was probably the best experience of my life so far, just basketball and personally." 

Sometimes it's easy to forget how young Irving is. He's now the youngest player on the roster despite it being his fourth season. He came into the NBA as a teenager in 2011, one year after James reduced the organization to rubble after leaving in free agency. When Irving arrived, lofty expectations followed him. Pressure always exists for the top pick in the draft, but Cleveland was different. The franchise was looking for a face; the fan base was looking for a new savior and a reason to believe again. By his own admission, Irving just wasn't ready.

Even now he doesn't have all the answers, and will likely have more missteps during a journey expected to end in an NBA championship as soon as this year. He's only entering his fourth year in the league, but after speaking in front of a throng of reporters that piled into the Cavs' practice facility, Irving seems more mature. It looks as if the player who skipped out on Fan Appreciation Night two years ago is gone. Most importantly, Irving seems eager for basketball again.

"It's an exciting opportunity for all of us," Irving said. "More or less personally just learning from all these great players coming to our team now. They are a true testament of winners in our league. I'm truly appreciative of what management did this summer and all the pieces added because it's just going to make my job that much easier."

He no longer has to be the leading scorer, something asked of him during his first three years. His role now is to become a complete point guard, getting his teammates more involved, which is similar to what he did for Team USA.

Irving has dished out 1058 assists in his three-year career. But his biggest assist came away from the court when he helped the organization lure LeBron James back. Irving agreed to a maximum extension the first day of free agency and having that commitment gave a basketball edge to the Cavs to go along with the sentimental reasons tugging at James.

"I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn't know they could go," James wrote in his essay months ago. "I see myself as a mentor now and I'm excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league."

But what happens when James, known for dominating the ball, initiates offense, forcing Irving's role to change?

"I'll be ready to shoot every single time," Irving said with a laugh. "If I'm off the ball I'll be ready to shoot. Whatever it takes to win. He's the greatest player in the game now. If he's on the ball I will be ready to shoot."

For Irving, the burden has been lifted. He will now shared it with James and Kevin Love.  

"It's a surreal experience because all these guys that are on the team I've watched them for a long time, whether it's studying film or countless hours of what they do well," Irving said about the new-look roster. "Now I'm happy I'm on the other side and we're playing with one another."

Happy. That's a word Irving probably wouldn't have been able to use at the beginning of the off-season. The last five months have transformed him into a different player, and most importantly, a different person. 

Watch as Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor look back at the Cavaliers Media Day. Also watch videos from LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Watch video

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers beat writers Chris Haynes, Chris Fedor and Joe Vardon look back at what happened during Media Day 2014 at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence. 

Topics include:

• LeBron James was all business as he returned to Cleveland Clinics Courts.
• James looking forward to leading the team.
• New head coach David Blatt being challenged not having NBA experience.
• New forward Shaun Marion impresses.
• Kyrie Irving joking about once again being the youngest player on the team.
• Cavaliers training camp begins tomorrow as the players hit the court. 

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

Facebook page: CLEvideos

Madison remains undefeated this season.

Madison remains undefeated this season.

The Blue Devils improve to 5-0 on the season with the win over Copley.

The Blue Devils improve to 5-0 on the season with the win over Copley.

Take a look at how the cleveland.com Top 25 high school football teams fared on Friday in Week 5.

Take a look at how the cleveland.com Top 25 high school football teams fared on Friday in Week 5.

See individual and team highlights from Paul Primeau Invitational at Gilmour.

See individual and team highlights from Paul Primeau Invitational at Gilmour.

The Eagles had won 23 straight regular season games before Friday.

The Eagles had won 23 straight regular season games before Friday.

Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor were live in Independence for Cavs Media Day. They recapped the day, gave their takeaways and talked about the moments that stood out.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- ESPN packed up its stuff and left with the rest of the many satellite trucks that once lined up outside Cleveland Clinic Courts on Friday. Media Day is done, and now the journey begins.

When the throng of reporters finally left the facility, the Cavs had to get the practice court ready for the first day of training camp on Saturday. 

LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the players talked about the increased expectations and trying to stay patient, knowing tough times could be ahead even with a loaded roster equipped to make a title run. Some talked for nearly 10 minutes. Others just for a few. Some got a stage. Others a table. 

This is the time of year when optimism surrounds NBA teams, but there is plenty of reason for it in Cleveland, which has become the center of the league. 

Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor were there for the wild event. They recapped the day, gave their takeaways and talked about the moments that stood out. 

Tallmadge improves to 5-0 this season after grabbing the win.

Tallmadge improves to 5-0 this season after grabbing the win.

Indians righty Corey Kluber struck out 11 in eight shutout innings Friday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians took the field Friday night with ultra-high stakes for team and individual.

The individual took care of the team.

Right-hander Corey Kluber allowed five hits and struck out 11 in eight innings as the hanging-by-a-thread Indians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 1-0, at Progressive Field. Paid attendance: 23,131.

Cy Young Award hunter Kluber outdueled Rays righty Chris Archer, who gave up three hits and the run in 7 2/3 innings.

Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez homered in the first inning.

Tribe left fielder Michael Brantley went 0-for-3 to remain at 199 hits for the season.

What it means

The Indians improved to 84-76; the Rays slipped to 76-84.

In order to stave off elimination, the Indians needed to win and the Rangers needed to defeat the Athletics in Texas. The Athletics-Rangers game began an hour after Rays-Indians. At the conclusion in Cleveland, the Athletics led, 4-1, with runners on in the fifth.    

The previous time the Indians and Rays played in Cleveland, Oct. 2, 2013, Tampa Bay won, 4-0, in the wildcard game. This season, the Indians won two of three in a series at Tampa Bay in early May.

Klubotic

Klubot (18-9, 2.44 ERA) won his fifth consecutive decision. In his previous two, he struck out 14 apiece.

Kluber made a Cy Young statement in the first inning. He struck out Ben Zobrist looking (seven pitches), David DeJesus (seven) swinging and Evan Longoria (four). The crowd roared.

James Loney, one of six lefties in Rays manager Joe Maddon's lineup, hit a first-pitch single to center to lead off the second. Nick Franklin chopped the first pitch toward the hole at second, where Mike Aviles triggered a 4-6-3 double play. Aviles made his part of the play appear easier than it was, and shortstop Jose Ramirez had a quality turn.

During Matt Joyce's at-bat, plate umpire Brian O'Nora needed something removed from his eye. The delay took Kluber out of his rhythm; Joyce walked on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. Kluber struck out Brandon Guyer looking in three pitches, the third a curve that Guyer thought was high and inside.

Kluber opened the third by striking out Kevin Kiermaier looking and Ryan Hanigan swinging. Kluber caught a break against Kiermaier; the breaking pitch was outside. The strikeout of Hanigan gave Kluber 264 this season, moving him ahead of Detroit lefty David Price for the major-league lead.

Zobrist ended the half with a grounder near the first-base line. Credit Carlos Santana with a good recovery and flip to Kluber.

Kluber worked around a two-out single by Loney in the fourth. Franklin grounded to first.

Matt Joyce led off the fifth by watching a fastball zip back over the inside corner for strike three. Kluber moved into sixth on the franchise's single-season strikeout list with 265.

Guyer flailed at a Bugs Bunny slurve for the second out. Kluber moved into a tie for third in franchise history with his 21st game of eight-plus strikeouts.

Kiermaier fell behind, 0-2, prompting the crowd to create plenty of noise. But Kiermaier spoiled the party by lining a 1-2 fastball to center for a triple. Kluber bowed his neck and got Hanigan to pop foul to Santana, who collided with Aviles but held on.

Through five innings, Kluber threw 50 of 67 pitches for strikes.

Zobrist led off the sixth with a routine grounder to second. DeJesus grounded sharply into the hole at second, where Aviles dived, grabbed and fired to Santana for the four-star play. Even Longoria singled to left, bringing up 2-for-2 Loney.

Kluber got ahead, 0-2. After a ball and foul, Loney flied to center fielder Michael Bourn in left-center.

With one out in the seventh, Joyce singled. He advanced to second on a grounder to third. Kluber pitched around lefty Kiermaier, walking him in four pitches, to get to righty Hanigan.

Kluber went to 2-0 on Hanigan, prompting catcher Yan Gomes to visit the mound. Kluber challenged with a fastball; Hanigan fouled. After a another foul, numerous fans stood and clapped. Then came a roar as Kluber froze Hanigan with a nasty  slurve.

Through seven innings, Kluber threw 65 of 92 pitches for strikes.

Kluber closed a 1-2-3 eighth with strikeouts of DeJesus (swinging) and Longoria (looking). Kluber's punchout of DeJesus gave him 11 double-digit strikeout games and enabled the Tribe staff to set the MLB record with 1,429 strikeouts.

Tribe closer Cody Allen began the ninth. Kluber finished with 74 of 106 pitches for strikes.

Allen retired the side in order for his 24th save.

Unexpected thunder

In his first-inning at-bat, Ramirez fell behind, 0-2. After a ball and three fouls, Ramirez turned on an inside pitch and drove it just over the right-field wall. Ramirez's homer was his second in 227 at-bats.

Five questions with Indians rookie left-hander T.J. House.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In a year filled with good pitching news for the Indians, rookie left-hander T.J. House did his part. House, who started the year at Class AAA Columbus, went into Sunday's start in the season finale at 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 18 games, including 17 starts. The Indians drafted House in the 16^th round in 2008 out of Picayune (Miss.) High School.

Q. In your first season in the big leagues is there one thing that made the biggest impression?

A. "For me, it's being around guys like Corey Kluber, Jason Giambi and Michael Bourn. You see how to go about your business in a day-to-day manner as a professional and how you prepare yourself to be successful every time you step between those white lines.

"To me that's the biggest thing. Those are things you can't learn from just talking to someone. You have to watch and observe from afar."

Q. What's your best moment baseball wise from this season?

A. "One of the coolest moments for me personally was pitching at Fenway Park just because of the history behind it. "

Q. What about from a team aspect?

A. "That would have to be watching Kluber pitch. How many chances are you going to get to see a season like this from a guy on your squad? The thing that impresses me the most is how dominating he's is against everyone. Especially when it comes to seeing teams over and over.

"They just can't hit his stuff. It's that good. He's in the strike zone so much. He's got 235 2/3 innings and he's walked only 51 batters. That's unbelievable. To have almost 300 strikeouts (269) to 51 walks. . .it's great to witness that."

Q. What will you do this winter?

A. "This is going to be the most important winter of my career. Most of it is going to be dedicated to getting ready for next year. I want to make sure I'm ready to rock-n-roll when I come to spring training. It's not going to be one of those progression things. I've got to be firing on all cylinders.

"I'll enjoy family and friends. I'm going to Las Vegas for a weekend. I'll to Florida for a week, Europe for a week. Besides that I'm going to be back home and try not to get fat from all the good southern cooking."

Q. I can see how watching and talking to Corey Kluber could help you, but how does that work with a position player like Jason Giambi?

A. "Being around Big G has been a huge influence on me. I have a conversation with him every day. For me, it's learning the ins and outs of how to handle yourself. When I got sent down he told me, "Kid, you're going to be back here in no time. Just get down there, work on your stuff and don't worry about.' I might have faced a team where I struggled and he'll talk to me about what I did good and what I did wrong. What did he see? It's been very good for me. I'm glad he's here."

The Akron Zips get their running game untracked and get rewarded with a 21-10 upset over the Pitt Panthers.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania -- Just like that, Wham! The Akron Zips upset the Pitt Panthers, 21-10, beating the Panthers at their own game, pounding the football inside of Heinz Field.

A running game that had not generated 100 yards in any contest this season for Akron (3-2) outgained Pitt, 169-129, led by junior tailback Conor Hundley (19 carries, 148 yards). That countered Pitt's leading rusher in the nation, James Conner, who only had 92 yards, well under the 174.8 he averaged entering the game.

But the key back for the Zips was actually nose guard Cody Grice, who used his 5-11, 284-pound frame to good advantage scoring twice on runs of one and two years. That aided Akron's red zone offense that had equally sputtered in tough short-yardage situations prior to Saturday.

"That's our Wham Package,'' Akron head coach Terry Bowden said, noting it's a goal line offense he has employed for over 30 years of coaching.

Grice said he has politicked long and hard for the opportunity, but was surprised to get so many.

"I did not expect to get it three times,'' Grice said.

In the end, Akron had more total offensive yards than Pitt, 382-349, and was an impressive 7-of-16 on third-down conversions, even after starting the game 0-for-5. Much of that was due to Hundley, who missed Akron's last game vs. Marshall with a shoulder injury, but showed up big against the Panthers.

"He looked like 'The Juggernaut,'" Grice said of a character froc the "X-Men" comic book series. "He looked like a true tailback. The (offensive) line came ready to play, and Hundley came ready to run."

Perhaps lost in the shine of Akron's offensivee showing was the play of a very stout defense. Pitt's Conner was not only held to 3.7 yards per carry, his longest run in the game was only 12 yards. Grice credited the defensive performance to better game preparation.

Pitt coach Paul Chryst seemed to echo that.

"Offensively, we were stagnant,'' he said. "You have to give Akron credit for that. They came to play."

After a slow start, the Zips offense began to look like the team many expected. After Pitt took a 7-0 lead and Akron's first unit ended an eight-quarter touchdown drought with a three-play scoring drive. A 52-yard catch and run from Mykel Traylor-Bennett tied the score, 7-7, going into the half.

The Zips opened the third quarter with the ball, and immediately went on a nine-play, 75-yard drive, ending with a one-yard Grice plunge for a 14-7 lead.

Pitt looked on the verge of matching that TD drive, but a third-and-goal TD pass was nullified by a holding penalty. After moving the Panthers back, a sure Pitt TD pass was dropped in the end zone, forcing the Panthers to settle for a 34-yard field goal that kept Akron in the lead, 14-10 going into the fourth quarter.

The Zips then put the Panthers on the ropes with 12:20 to play with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with another short blast from Grice.

"They came in here expecting to win the football game,'' Bowden said of his team. "Offensively we came through in the red zone. Today, it's about Akron."

Baker was roaming the sidelines before the game wearing an Ohio State hat, and we spotted him getting some extra attention from Buckeyes athletic director Gene Smith and player personnel director Mark Pantoni.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Benedictine linebacker Jerome Baker was in Columbus on Friday night for a high school game, so he decided to stick around for an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Saturday. 

You would never know he's committed to Florida by looking at him. 

Baker was roaming the sidelines before the game wearing an Ohio State hat, and we spotted him getting some extra attention from Buckeyes athletic director Gene Smith and player personnel director Mark Pantoni. 

Above is a photo gallery of the recruits on the sidelines before the game, including five-star quarterback Torrance Gibson of Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage. 

Here's a complete list of visitors. 

Get stats, reaction and key plays from No. 8 Stow football's win against Shaker Heights.

Get stats, reaction and key plays from No. 8 Stow football's win against Shaker Heights.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley singled in the fourth inning Saturday for hit No. 200.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians left fielder Michael Brantley notched his 200th hit of the season Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field.

Brantley singled to center with one out in the fourth inning against Rays right-hander Alex Colome. Brantley received a standing ovation.

Brantley is the 18th player in franchise history with 200 hits, the first since Kenny Lofton had 210 in 1996.

Brantley's teammate, righty Corey Kluber, struck out 269 in 34 starts. Kluber and Brantley are the first 250K/200H duo in franchise history, the first in the majors since lefty Randy Johnson (364K) and Luis Gonzalez (206H) with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999.

Brantley entered the final weekend of the regular season batting .329 with 20 homers, 45 doubles, 97 RBI, 94 runs and 23 steals. He was the only MLB player with a .300 average and 20+ homers, 40+ doubles, 90+ RBI, 90+ runs and 20+ steals.

Brantley is the only player in franchise history with 200+ hits, 20+ homers, 40+ doubles and 20+ steals. He is the 11th in MLB history with that line. 

Brantley is the ninth player in franchise history with 20+ homers and 20+ steals -- the first since Shin-Soo Choo (2009-2010).

Brantley opened the series against Tampa Bay on Friday at 0-for-3, snapping his hitting streak at 15 games.

In his first at-bat against Colome, Brantley lined to center in the first.

Five things we learned during Saturday afternoon's college football action.

Five things we learned during Saturday afternoon's college football action:

1. Jameis Winston can hide flaws: Florida State's dominant defense is something you associate with last season, not this one.

And that great offensive line? Maybe it's a thing of the past.

But as long as you have a Jameis Winston, you have a chance.

The Seminoles outgunned North Carolina State, 56-41 Saturday, perhaps bringing Winston back to the Heisman Trophy conversation after he was suspended for last week's Clemson win for disciplinary reasons.

And, more importantly, the top-ranked Seminoles remain a national championship frontrunner.

Winston completed 26 of 38 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions to help the Seminoles rally from deficits of 24-7 in the second quarter and 38-28 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

That offensive explosiveness is what was missing in the Seminoles' 23-17 overtime win over Clemson last week, and it was much-needed this time around. The headlines about FSU's woes have centered around Winston's issues, but they run much deeper. Jimbo Fisher's team does not appear to play with the same urgency as a year ago, nor does it seem to be as overwhelmingly talented as it was on either side of the ball.

But Winston's presence is one way the Seminoles can overcome the flaws, and it could be one way Winston overcomes his off-field issues to return to the Heisman race. Moreso than last season, FSU may need his enormous talents if the Seminoles are to continue their 20-game win streak.

Which is the bottom line. For as much as we discuss what's wrong with FSU, it's still 4-0.

Texas A&M wide receiver Edward Pope, left, celebrates with Ricky Seals-Jones (9) and Kenny Hill (7) after Pope grabbed a pass from Hill for a touchdown against Arkansas in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)Tony Gutierrez 

2. Nothing is easy in the SEC West: Every team in the SEC West had a real reason to be optimistic this season, except Arkansas.

The Razorbacks went winless in SEC play last season and looked to be overwhelmed again this year.

But for the second time against two SEC West powers, Arkansas pushed a top-10 team to the limit. On Saturday, the Razorbacks lost a heart-breaking 35-28 overtime game to No. 6 Texas A&M, following the season-opening 45-21 loss at Auburn where the Razorbacks were in the game late.

Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill padded his Heisman Trophy resume by throwing for 386 yards and four touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter or overtime to help the Aggies rally from a 28-14 deficit.

His 25-yard overtime touchdown pass to Malcome Kennedy gave the Aggies their first lead since going ahead 7-0, and the A&M defense was subsequently able to do something it hadn't done much all day, stop the Razorbacks rushing attack.

Arkansas' Alex Collins, who finished with 132 yards on 21 carries, was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the A&M 16. It was a rare stop of an Arkansas running attack that piled up 286 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry behind the biggest offensive line in college football.

Not many others have stopped Arkansas' running game either. The Hogs entered the day averaging 324.5 yards per game, eighth-best in the country. Which begs the question, if this Arkansas team, with its huge offensive line and prolific running game, is the weakest team in the West, can anybody come out of that division without a loss?

Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) hurdles Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph as he runs for a first down during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/The Augusta Chronicle, Jon-Michael Sullivan)Jon-Michael Sullivan 

3. Georgia needs a passing game: Todd Gurley put on his superhero cape, rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, and the Georgia Bulldogs escaped Tennessee with a 35-32 win.

That's the big talk, and deservedly so as Gurley re-entered the top tier of the list of Heisman Trophy candidates.

But my takeaway from Georgia's wins is this: The defense is limited because of a shaky secondary, so if the Bulldogs are to make a run at winning out and capturing the SEC East, they need quarterback Hutson Mason to make plays with his arm.

In the Tennessee game, it did not appear the Bulldogs were capable of making plays downfield as Mason went 16-for-25 for just 147 yards and two interceptions. In his defense, he still lacks top targets Justin Scott-Wesley and Malcolm Mitchell, two dangerous receivers due to rejoin the team from injury Monday.

If the passing game comes together, even with a shaky secondary, Georgia should be the favorite in every game until Auburn visits Nov. 15. But there will eventually be a game where handing the ball to Gurley won't be enough.

4. Worley could be this year's Mettenberger: Sure, Georgia's secondary is not very good. But there is still no denying that Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley looks so much better than a season ago.

Against Georgia, he was 23-for-35 for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps the time his talents were most apparent was when he was temporarily out of the game with an elbow injury and backup Nathan Peterman struggled.

Worley had a reputation for having a strong arm coming into this season, but he entered the year without the production (11 career touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions) to match.

He now has 985 yards passing, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on the season. In the process, he's showing arm strength to make all the throws NFL scouts want to see.

It's a story reminiscent of former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who went from throwing just 12 touchdowns as a junior to 22 and over 3,000 yards as a senior.

5. Hackenberg's stock is falling: Christian Hackenberg looked like he might be having a break-out year when he led Penn State to a comeback win over Central Florida to start the season, then kept putting up big numbers in a 4-0 Nittany Lions' start.

But in Northwestern's 29-6 upset of PSU Saturday, Hackenberg was pressured and looked not quite ready for prime time.

He completed just 22 of 45 passes for 216 yards, missed on an open touchdown pass at a key moment and threw a pick-six, a 49-yard return for a touchdown by Anthony Walker that gave the Wildcats a 20-6 fourth-quarter lead, snuffing the life out of the Lions.

Hackenberg may emerge as a big-time award-winner next year. But he doesn't quite seem ready for that stage yet.