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In case you missed it: 5 stories you need to read from the Browns' win over the Titans

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Here's everything you missed from our Browns coverage on Sunday. Watch video

Mary Kay Cabot Podcast Oct. 06, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- 2-2 is way better than 1-3. Fail to come back against the Titans and you know what we're talking about today. Is it time for Johnny Manziel? Who will the Browns draft in May? Will Mike Pettine still be the head coach?

So 2-2 is way, way better than 1-3, even if it takes an historic comeback to accomplish it. (Speaking of which, the Browns comeback was the third-largest in NFL regular season history. The more you know.) As always, we had a ton of coverage of Sunday's game. So much so, that you probably missed some of it. A lot of it. Here are the stories you need to read and the videos you need to watch. Because you just can't get enough of a Browns Victory Monday.

Cleveland Browns' run defense gashed again, but makes the one stop that mattered

"The Browns surrendered 149 yards rushing Sunday, but protected the few inches that most mattered to the Titans in the closing minutes.
"The defense stuffed quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on a fourth-and-1 sneak at the Titans' 42 with 3:09 remaining, a play that gave Brian Hoyer and Browns' offense one last shot at winning the game."

- Tom Reed

Mike Pettine on Browns' 29-28 come-back victory over Titans: 'My heart can't take many more of these'

"Mike Pettine never realized that being a head coach could be so hazardous to his health.
"'I did tell them after the game they have to stop doing it,' he said. 'I have an EKG scheduled for tomorrow because my heart can't take many more of these. It's a heck of a win for us, and we're hopeful it will be a boost coming back home against the Steelers.'"

- Mary Kay Cabot

Ho-hum, Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland Browns' offense fuel another comeback

Dennis Manoloff podcast, October 6, 2014

"Brian Hoyer deserved a game ball from Sunday's Browns' win. So, too, Ken Whisenhunt.
"That only one of them is employed in Berea had to increase owner Jimmy Haslam's satisfaction Sunday in winning a game in his home state that he had every reason to label a lost cause."

- Bud Shaw

Can you believe the Cleveland Browns won this game?

"I don't know how the Browns won this game, do you?
"As I write this, I'm staring at the scoreboard: Cleveland Browns 29, Tennessee Titans 28. Can you believe the Browns were down 28-3 and won this game? Or that this is the biggest come-from-behind victory in team history?"

- Terry Pluto

Tennessee Titans coaching staff does Browns a favor: Who won the Day

"In the end, it was Ken Whisenhunt and his coaching staff that left enough time for the Browns to complete an improbable comeback and escape at .500. At the very least, Whisenhunt and his staff should get a fruit basket or something from Pettine at Christmas. They did, in fact, win the day for losing the game."

- Dan Labbe


Watch: Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe talk Browns

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Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe talk Browns football.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns beat the Titans, 29-28 on Sunday. During our Monday morning show, Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe talked about the win, what it means and where they go from here.

On today's show we talked about:

  • Brian Hoyer
  • The defensive struggles
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Game balls
  • Grades

Watch the show live every Monday morning at 10 a.m.

David Blatt says Cleveland Cavaliers will play zone defense; excited for Brazil trip (video)

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Head coach David Blatt talked about schematic changes the Cavs may make following the first preseason game, how excited he is to make the trip to Brazil and what advice he has gotten from Anderson Varejao about the trip.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers returned to the practice court on Monday.

After the first preseason game, the team continued to work on coming together offensively and defensively, two areas head coach David Blatt felt improved from the scrimmage last Wednesday. An upcoming trip to Brazil will allow the Cavs to continue to work on those things, but Blatt is also hoping to use the trip as an opportunity to bond on and off the court. 

Following practice, he talked about schematic changes the Cavs may make following the first preseason game, how excited he is to make the trip to Brazil, what advice he has gotten from Anderson Varejao and using all the weapons he has on offense. 

Johnny Football without fame and glory -- it's no laughing matter: Bill Livingston

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Johnny Manziel and a rookie season in the shadows.

BEREA, Ohio – George S. Patton, who was known as "Old Blood and Guts," seldom busted one of the latter in laughing. "I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed," said Patton.

But what about a man who was only losing just before halftime and laughed? Would he get the last laugh if his team won, as was the case with "Jolly Johnny" Manziel and the Browns on Sunday?

The whole war analogy in any sport is inappropriate, but how many fans give a hoot in hell about a backup quarterback whose smiling face briefly appeared on the screen as the Browns fell into a 28-3 hole in Nashville?

Just a guess, but probably a lot more would have objected had the Browns lost than is the case now.

Manziel, who is a magnet for social media, and who, indeed, supplied his own Instagrams of the fraternity kegger variety in the off-season, escaped a backlash because starter Brian Hoyer led the greatest comeback in franchise history for a 29-28 victory.

Manziel has been marginalized by Hoyer's good play. The rookie is interesting now, less for the debate about his potential, than for the fact that there will always be people who buy supermarket magazines for the photographs of movie stars caught in public without their makeup.

But, as was noted nationally Monday on the Dan Patrick Show and elsewhere, Manziel is always going to have the cameras on him, and he has to look more involved in the game.

Manziel hasn't really been in a lead role since he left Texas A&M after a sensational two-year career. He recently admitted he missed college life and knew going to the NFL meant it was time to grow up. "That's the path I chose," he said.

It has been a much harder path than many, probably including Manziel himself, expected.

It is one thing for the Wizard of Oz to sneer at doom and chuckle at catastrophe. Backup quarterbacks are supposed to look dogged and determined while itching for their chance.

"I don't know what the context of that is. I think you could term the way we were playing laughable," said Mike Pettine, handling the situation with humor.

The cameras are always going to seek out Manziel. "A lesson to be learned," said Pettine.

When asked Monday if he had been worried about getting the hook from Pettine, Hoyer said, "Not at all. From the start, Coach Pettine has told me, 'Don't worry about getting pulled. I've got your back.'"

"He's been firmly the guy from the beginning. Whether this cements that more is probably fair to say," Pettine said.

Manziel's stock in trade in college was the electricity of the highlight play. Now he doesn't have that opportunity. The depth and breadth of experience and character are still forming in him.

His problem is one of perception, when his Sunday moment of levity is extrapolated onto the persona he has created. At times, he seems like the Hugh Grant character in the movie, "About a Boy."

Grant's Will Freeman was the real "boy" in the movie, not the middle schooler he befriended. Freeman was an idler, living off family money, devoted to hedonism, unused to delayed gratification.

It would nevertheless be intriguing to see Manziel play, not out of any antipathy to Hoyer, but because that's where the bigger story lies, and that's what drives the national media and at least some of us in the local market.

The most publicized player in college football in years, the best player in the SEC, the nation's best conference, the top jersey seller of all NFL players before he ever took a snap – Manziel -- was there on the one hand. A six-year veteran with local ties but only 18 appearances in games – Hoyer – was there on the other.

Located squarely at the busy intersection of celebrity, NFL popularity, social media, and 24/7 cable television, Manziel might indeed turn out to represent style over substance. But the Browns' story would be "blowing up" nationally if Manziel had been at the controls for these four suspenseful, topsy-turvy games.

As for the laughter, certain social conventions are observed by the media around players. A solemn tone is an attitude of respect in questioning players after a loss. It is natural to think the same would apply on the sideline, although one inopportune chuckle is not the worst thing in the world, either.

It was just an odd moment. But so is a season of Johnny Football without the football.

Five things I think about Cleveland Browns the day after their comeback victory over Tennessee Titans: Bill Livingston (slideshow)

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On Brian Hoyer's popularity; kickoffs; the Titans' fourth-and-1; the Steelers; and a guy who could be in for it.

BEREA, Ohio – Thoughts after the Browns met with the media Monday:

1. Here's the money quote that tells you why a lot of people in a city that's coming back root for Brian Hoyer. It's the career of sitting behind bigger-time quarterbacks until now. The injury-shortened triumphal return to his hometown with a torn ACL last season. The supposed role of second banana to Johnny Manziel.

Hard times make Hoyer a figure with whom fans identify.

"With everything I've gone through, I want to go out and enjoy it," Hoyer said of the post-game celebration, rife with dance moves either busted or existing as theoretical concepts after the comeback in Nashville.

"You don't know when it's going to be taken away," said Hoyer, "I don't care how goofy I look."

2. Placekicker Billy Cundiff said the excellence of kickoff coverage Sunday could easily be overlooked. "The farthest they (the Titans) got was the 15. Touchbacks (after which a team starts its drive at the 20) aren't as critical as last season."

Actually, Cundiff gave the Titans a yard the official statisticians didn't. His six kickoffs were: Returned to the 14, touchback, touchback, returned to the 11, touchback, touchback.

3. Analytics studies supported Tennessee coach Ken Whisenhunt's decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 at his own 42, leading 28-22, even with backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst in the game. In any event, Whitehurst looked as though he had not run a quarterback sneak before. He was stuffed, and the Browns had a short field for the winning drive.

"I'd probably have gone for it too," said Browns coach Mike Pettine.

4. Hoyer said there is no excuse for another slow start since this is Steelers week.

Frankly, I think Steelers week has lost a lot of its juice with the Browns' horrendous record ever since the restoration of the franchise and the downturn this season by "That Team Down Southeast."

Pettine said the Browns have shown "moments of brilliance" on defense "and at times we look like a bad college team."

The latter would not be advisable with Ben Roethlisberger behind center instead of Charlie Whitehurst.

5. Cornerback Joe Haden's status for Pittsburgh is "up in the air." This means, despite Haden's frequent no good, terrible, very bad days against Antonio Brown,  struggling rookie Justin Gilbert might have to play a lot. Gilbert played only nine plays Sunday.

For those of you who remember the early days of SNL, cue Mr. Bill's falsetto voice squeaking, "Oh, no, Mr. Hands! Not Benny Sluggo!"

Gallery preview 

Johnny Manziel caught laughing with Cleveland Browns down 28-3, but Mike Pettine says they were 'laughable' right then

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Mike Pettine says Johnny Manziel laughing on the sidelines when the Browns fell behind 28-3 in the second quarter was "no big deal.''

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was captured by the CBS cameras laughing on the sideline after the Browns fell behind 28-3 to the Titans, but coach Mike Pettine said Monday he had no problem with the sight of his rookie yukking it up as such an inopportune time.


"I don't know what the context of that is,'' said Pettine. "Down 28-3, the way we were playing, I think you could term how we were playing laughable. But I don't know the context of it.''

The cameras cut away to Manziel just after backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter over Buster Skrine to give the Titans a 25-point edge with 2:44 left in the second quarter. Manziel, wearing a baseball cap, chatted with practice squad quarterback Connor Shaw, and found something funny.


Of course, Manziel should know by now that everything he says or does will be captured on film.


"That's a lesson to learn, but still, I don't consider it a big deal,'' said Pettine.

Perhaps Manziel was saying to Shaw, "Heh, heh, don't worry, Brian Hoyer will get us right back in this thing.''

Because that's exactly what happened right after Manziel's televised chuckle.

Hoyer took over at his 10-yard line after a holding call on the kickoff, and marched the Browns 90 yards in nine plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jim Dray. Hoyer completed all four of his passes on the drive, including a 21-yarder to Travis Benjamin on the opening play and a 31-yarder to Miles Austin.

The TD drive kicked off a 26-point rally that resulted in the 29-28 victory -- the biggest comeback in Browns history, the largest road comeback in NFL history and the third-biggest comeback in the regular season in NFL annals.


Hoyer played so well during the stretch that Manziel never got in the game.


By the time it was over, everyone was laughing. Manziel just got started a little sooner than everyone else.



Mentor, Hudson top Ohio AP state football poll for week of Oct. 6, 2014

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See latest Ohio AP state football poll, as well as cleveland.com's ballot in all seven divisions.

See latest Ohio AP state football poll, as well as cleveland.com's ballot in all seven divisions.

Browns' Mike Pettine on Chris Kirksey's blow to Jake Locker's head: 'He's not a dirty player'

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Browns coach Mike Pettine acknowledged that Chris Kirksey's forearm blow to Jake Locker's head was a personal foul, but that he had no ill intent.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Mike Pettine said rookie linebacker Chris Kirksey deserves whatever the NFL dishes out for his forearm blow to Jake Locker's head, but stressed that Kirksey is "not a dirty player.''

"It was definitely a personal foul, there's no doubt about that,'' said Pettine. "And I think it was a situation where Chris was coming off a block and maybe didn't know exactly where he was and just instinctively went to attack him. Anybody that knows Chris and Chris' history knows that he's not a dirty player. I thought the flag was well-deserved and whatever action comes from the league, well-deserved.''

Pettine said he didn't lecture the third-round pick out of Iowa after the hit, for which he drew a personal foul that was offset by an unnecessary roughness penalty. It came in the end zone after Locker scored on an 11-yard run to make it 14-0.

"To me, you don't have to (talk to him) that much,'' said Pettine. "He knows. The kid knew right away and felt bad about it. Like I said, if you know the kid and what high character he is, you'd know that there was no intent to harm there.''

Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira, the former NFL VP of officiating, explained in a video on his twitter account Sunday night that Kirksey shouldn't have been ejected, but that "he will feel a lot more room in his pocket because it's going to cost him lots of money for this forearm to the head.''




In 2010, former Browns safety T.J. Ward was fined $15,000 for a hit on Bengals receiver Jordan Shipley. Ward, a rookie at the time, was rattled for a long time after the hit and it seemed to impact his play.

Locker, who later left the game with a thumb injury, was woozy after the hit and accused Kirksey of a cheap shot.

 "I thought I was clearly in the end zone,'' Locker said. "I kind of thought it was a cheap shot. They were under my belt pretty good.''

He was checked on the sidelines for a concussion, but returned on the next drive, only to bang his thumb off Buster Skrine's helmet on an illegal hit by the cornerback. This time, he was out for good.

After the game, Brian Hoyer attributed some of the ongoing chippiness of the game to Kirksey's hit on Locker.


Cleveland Browns' defense needs to quickly find consistency and identity: Tom Reed analysis

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Browns are doing nothing particularly well on defense, which lacks an identity.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Only one thing looked familiar to Browns fans at the end of a stunning 29-28 victory here Sunday: a Ray Horton defense failed to protect a fourth-quarter lead.

Otherwise, it was another unpredictable afternoon as Brian Hoyer led an outrageous 25-point rally against Horton and the Titans at LP Field.

Media members dusted off Kardiac Kids' references. Players celebrated the biggest comeback win in franchise history. Hoyer, Joe Thomas and Jim Leonhard danced like graduate students at a nuclear physics mixer.

These are fun days for a club playing attractive football on the North Coast. Every game is decided on the final drive, each one by three points or less. But unless the Browns develop consistency on defense, the good times won't last.

Coach Mike Pettine and coordinator Jim O'Neil don't know what kind of performance they're getting week to week, half to half, from the unit. They're allowing 25.8 points per game despite the fact the offense has committed only one turnover and rarely left them to defend short fields.

The Browns have surrendered 15 plays of 25 yards or more, according to the Elias Sports Bureau -- three behind the NFL-leading Jaguars -- while playing one fewer game than most other teams.

Last October, when asked about the defensive shortcomings, Horton famously predicted the unit would reach top form by Thanksgiving. Instead, it squandered a series of late leads as the Browns lost their final seven games.

Pettine is smart enough not to set any dates for a turnaround while acknowledging the obvious: The defense needs to get better.

"We're not going to get good until we get those little details cleaned up," he told reporters in Berea on Monday.

At the season's one-quarter mark, the defense ranks as the club's biggest disappointment. It's not for a lack of talent or caring or stretches of good play. They were excellent in the second half against the Steelers and Titans and very good early against the Saints.

That's what makes it all the more maddening.

"We've flashed brilliance at times," the coach told reporters. "At other times we've looked like a bad college team."

Pettine defended O'Neil's calls Sunday after the Titans, who had not scored a first-quarter point, tallied 28 in the first half and converted five of six third downs. He noted the unit requires more game reps and that the season remains relatively young.

But the offense, which also changed schemes and personnel, is humming along. It's already established an identity with a strong run game and efficient pass attack led by a poised quarterback.

The defense, ranked next-to-last overall, does nothing particularly well. Opponents are averaging 152.5 yards rushing. The Browns have registered just eight sacks and forced four turnovers. The 75-yard touchdown pass from Titans backup Charlie Whitehurst to Justin Hunter, beating Buster Skrine, is the latest big play yielded.

Pettine, a former defensive coordinator, isn't just hoping his high-profile youngsters improve. Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo played just 22 snaps against the Titans and wasn't seen often after whiffing on a tackle against starting quarterback Jake Locker. Cornerback Justin Gilbert, the No. 8 overall pick, earned just nine snaps. He saw his place in sub packages taken by undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams, who played well and recorded a big sack on the game's final series.

The coach said he not "giving up" on Gilbert, but expects development. The defensive back might see more time against the Steelers because of Joe Haden's hip injury. Nobody in the secondary, save for safety Tashaun Gipson, is playing at a high level.

Pettine praised the defense's resiliency in blanking the Titans in the second half. Few adjustments were made, he said. Players simply stopped missing tackles and started focusing on the next play. The loss of Locker to a second-quarter hand injury also contributed.

The Titans (1-4) aided in their destruction as bad teams often do. After throwing two touchdowns on his first three passes, Whitehurst played like the career backup he is. The Tennessee play calling ranged from curious to bizarre, taking little time off the clock. The decision to gamble on a fourth-and-1 from the Titans' 42, while nursing a six-point lead, was wrong even as Pettine defended his colleague's choice.

Credit the Browns' defense for making a couple plays at winning time just as it did against the Saints. If the defenders don't reduce the spotty play, however, there aren't going to many locker-room dance parties like the one Sunday.

Maybe Horton can ask Titans fans to give him until Halloween to make his unit right. Pettine realizes he doesn't have that much time.  

Mayfield football coach Larry Pinto chats on Fifth Quarter podcast

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After a big win last week against Solon, Mayfield football coach Larry Pinto joined the Fifth Quarter podcast to talk some football.

After a big win last week against Solon, Mayfield football coach Larry Pinto joined the Fifth Quarter podcast to talk some football.

NLDS: Nationals hold off elimination with 4-1 win over Giants in MLB playoffs

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Doug Fister pitched seven shutout innings and the Washington Nationals took advantage of Madison Bumgarner's one off-target throw.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Doug Fister pitched seven shutout innings and the Washington Nationals took advantage of Madison Bumgarner's one off-target throw, staving off elimination in the NL Division Series with a 4-1 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

Fister dazzled again in San Francisco, helping the Nationals cut their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-five series and ending the Giants 10-game postseason winning streak that started with Game 5 of the 2012 NL Championship Series against St. Louis.

Washington scored two runs on Bumgarner's throwing error in the seventh inning to end the ace's 21-inning scoreless streak. Bryce Harper punctuated the victory with a solo homer in the ninth.

"Really it came down to every pitch," Fister said. "Fortunately a ball bounced our way."

Drew Storen allowed to the first two batters to reach in the bottom of the ninth but shook off his postseason struggles, allowing a run in closing it out as Washington forced a Game 4 on Tuesday night.

Now, the 96-win Nationals will send left-hander Gio Gonzalez up against San Francisco right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

On a day Bumgarner had been nearly untouchable, his 21-inning postseason scoreless streak ended on his own miscue. Now, the Giants must wait another day to try to eliminate the Nationals, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

Bumgarner fielded Wilson Ramos' two-strike sacrifice bunt between the mound and the first-base line and fired to third rather than going for the sure out at first.

Bumgarner's throw sailed wide of Pablo Sandoval's outstretched glove and bounced all the way to the tarp along the left-field wall before rolling over the bullpen mounds where two relievers were warming up.

Sandoval nearly did the splits trying to make the play and stayed down in pain as the two runs scored. Trainers checked on the third baseman and he remained in the game.

Asdrubal Cabrera followed with an RBI single. He spent the final eight innings watching the Giants' 2-1, 18-inning victory Saturday night after his ejection for arguing a called third strike.

Fister outpitched Bumgarner at AT&T Park for the second time in four months after a June gem, leaving behind the frightening memory of his October outing here in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series. Fister took a line drive to the right side of his head that day -- while also opposing Bumgarner -- but stayed in the game and carried a shutout into the seventh before Detroit lost 2-0 and was swept.

Fister hardly needed that Japanese good luck figurine that appeared in the NL East champions' dugout Monday morning courtesy of backup catcher Jose Lobaton. The right-hander, who grew up about two hours away in the Central Valley city of Merced, gave up four hits, struck out three and walked three.

Storen, the beleaguered closer who gave up the tying run in Game 2, allowed Brandon Crawford's sacrifice fly in the ninth before finishing the 2-hour, 47-minute game for his first save. It was a far cry from Game 2, which took a postseason record 6:23.

Five days after pitching a four-hitter in an 8-0 wild-card win at Pittsburgh, Bumgarner was on a roll again, this time for the orange towel-waving sellout home crowd of 43,627.

Ian Desmond singled to start the decisive seventh and Harper walked to bring up Ramos, who began the season as the Nationals' cleanup hitter. Harper slid into home for the second run, hopped up and hollered in triumph.

Bumgarner hadn't given up a postseason run in 21 innings since Carlos Beltran homered in the fourth inning of the Giants' Game 1 loss of the 2012 NLCS in St. Louis.

The pitcher had chances with the bat, too. He came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the second to cheers of "Bum! Bum!" before striking out.

Sandoval extended his postseason hitting streak to 14 games with a leadoff single in the second, the longest streak in Giants postseason history and currently in baseball.

Brandon Belt was caught stealing in the fourth, only the second time anyone tried to steal against Fister all year.

Harper's three postseason homers are the fourth-most before age 22 behind Mickey Mantle, Miguel Cabrera and Andruw Jones all with four.

TRAINING ROOM

Ryan Zimmerman's health didn't factor into Williams' decision not to start him. Instead, some Nationals left-handed hitters had previous success against Bumgarner and the first-year manager wanted to put the best defense behind Fister. Zimmerman, recovering from a torn right hamstring, was 3 for 17 against Bumgarner.

UP NEXT

Buster Posey is 3 for 14 (.214) against Gonzalez, while Sandoval is 1 for 10. The Giants are hitting .250 overall against the left-hander. Vogelsong has allowed the Nationals to hit .280 against him, with a .456 slugging percentage. Bryce Harper is 1 for 8 against the right-hander with four strikeouts. Span is 5 for 13 with two doubles and a triple against Vogelsong.

NLDS: Cardinals take 2-1 playoff series lead with 3-1 win over Dodgers

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Facing elimination in St. Louis for the second consecutive postseason, the Dodgers will turn to ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest Tuesday night in Game 4.

ST. LOUIS  -- Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer to snap a seventh-inning tie, Matt Carpenter went deep for the third straight game and John Lackey lived up to his big-game reputation as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 Monday night to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five NL Division Series.

Facing elimination in St. Louis for the second consecutive postseason, the Dodgers will turn to ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest Tuesday night in Game 4. Shelby Miller makes his first career postseason start for the Cardinals, one win from a fourth straight trip to the NL Championship Series.

The Cardinals finished off Los Angeles in a six-game NLCS last fall, knocking out Kershaw in the fifth inning of a 9-0 blowout in the final game.

Two runners reached against Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth before he earned his second save of the series -- with an assist from the grounds crew on a rainy night.

With two runners on, Rosenthal missed badly on consecutive pitches to Juan Uribe. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and manager Mike Matheny went to the mound, and Matheny motioned toward plate umpire Dale Scott.

The grounds crew was called out to apply a drying agent and rake the mound. Rosenthal threw a pair of practice pitches and found his footing, retiring the next two batters on flies to right for his sixth career postseason save.

Hanley Ramirez had three of the Dodgers' seven hits, including an RBI double in the sixth.

St. Louis hit 105 homers in the regular season, the second-lowest total in the majors, ahead of only Kansas City. Wong's two-run shot off loser Scott Elbert put the Cardinals ahead 3-1.

Carpenter connected in the third. He and Albert Pujols are the only Cardinals players to homer in three consecutive postseason games.

Pujols did it in 2004, the first two in the NL Division Series and the third in the NLCS.

Rating Cleveland Indians 40-man roster from bottom to top: Players 39 to 21

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Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes ranks the Tribe's 40-man roster.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Drum roll, please. Starting from the bottom and working our way to the top, here are how the 39 players on the Indians' 40-man roster rank according to beat writer Paul Hoynes. The first ranking covers players from No.39 to No.21. The second post will rank the players from No. 20 to No.1.

The 40-man roster on all teams will undergo changes during the offseason through trades, free agency and internal movement as teams set their 40-man rosters before the Rule 5 draft in December.

39. DH Jason Giambi: The Indians and Giambi have had a mutually beneficial two-year run. Don't see how it continues in 2015 if Giambi still wants to play. Stat line: .133, 2 HRs, 5 RBI.

38. SS Erik Gonzalez: He's a tall rangy middle infielder. Stat line: .309, 4 HRs, 62 RBI at Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron.

37. OF Carlos Moncrief: Converted pitcher who has shown run production in the minors. Stat line: .271, 12 HRs, 63 RBI at Class AAA Columbus.

36. LHP Nick Maronde: The Indians acquired Maronde from the Angels in July. He spent parts of the last three years with the Angels. Stat line: 0-0, 12.79, 6.1 innings with the Angels.

35. LHP Scott Barnes: Did not appear with the Indians this season. Stat line: 3-2, 3.69 ERA, 31 2/3 innings at Class AAA Columbus.

34. RHP Bryan Price: Struggled in three September appearances with Indians. Stat line: 1-1, 2.48, 36 1/3 innings at Class AA and Class AAA Columbus.

33. OF J.B. Shuck: Indians acquired him from the Angels on Sept. 5 and he went 2-for-26. Stat line: .145, 2 HRs, 9 RBI.

32. Catcher Chris Gimenez: Indians acquired him from Texas for protection at catcher when Yan Gomes had a concussion. Stat line: .241, 0 HRs, 11 RBI.

31. INF Justin Sellers: Good insurance policy for the middle of the infield. Can pick it at short, but played a lot second base at Class AAA Columbus. Stat line: .188, 0 HR, O RBI.

30. RHP Austin Adams: Throws hard, but was hit harder in six appearances with the Tribe. Stat line: 3-2, 2.50, 5 saves at Class AAA Columbus.

29. 1B Jesus Aguilar: He's hit everywhere, but where it matters most – the big leagues. Stat line: .121, 0 HRs, 3 RBI.

28. RHP CC Lee: Manager Terry Francona kept putting Lee into pressure situations down the stretch. Has one option left. Stat line: 1-1, 4.50, 28 innings.

27. OF Tyler Holt: The speedy rookie showed well in 36 games following injuries to Michael Bourn and David Murphy. Stat line: .268, 0 HR, 2 RBI.

26. INF-OF Zach Walters: Showed power and strikeouts after being acquired from Washington for Asdrubal Cabrera. Stat line: .181, 10 HRs, 17 RBI.

25. RHP Zach McAllister: Struggled as a starter, but showed power stuff coming out of the pen down the stretch. He's out of options. Stat line: 4-7, 5.23, 86 innings.

24. OF Ryan Raburn: He went from an excellent bench player to a non-entity in one year. Age and injuries seem to be closing in. Stat line: .200, 4 HR, 22 RBI.

23. LHP Nick Hagadone: The light went on for Hagadone this year. Showed he could get lefties and righties out. Stat line: 1-0, 2.70, 23 1/3 innings.

22. RHP Josh Tomlin: Valuable because he can start and relieve. Tired this year following Tommy John rehab (2013). Stat line: 6-9, 4.76, 104 innings.

21. C Roberto Perez: Rookie receiver proved to be perfect backup catcher. Gives Indians a trade option. Stat line: .271, 1 HR, 4 RBI.

Mike Pettine: Benched CB Justin Gilbert 'might have to play' vs. Steelers with Joe Haden ailing

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Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert has watched his snaps dwindle by the week, from 59 against Pittsburgh to nine in Tennessee.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert, the No. 8 overall pick, was benched against the Titans, but might be pressed into service against the Steelers with Joe Haden ailing with a hip injury.

"With Joe's status potentially up in the air, he might have to play -- but we'll see,'' said coach Mike Pettine.

Gilbert, who's been struggling all season and has watched his playing time dwindle from 59 snaps the first game to nine in Tennessee, lost his job as the third cornerback to undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams out of Pittsburgh against the Titans.

His snap totals have gone like this: Pittsburgh 59 of 71 for 83%; New Orleans 47 of 70 for 67%; Baltimore 14 of 68 for 21%; Tennessee 9 of 68 for 13%.

So what does Gilbert have to do to get back on the field?

 "Practice,'' said Pettine. "Just keep getting after it in practice. In the history of our system – I spoke on this a long time ago – we haven't given up on Justin – but it's something (where) he has some stuff he's just got to work through at practice and get the point where he can trust the coaching and trust his technique. We'll get him back out there."

Gilbert played one series in the second quarter, while Williams started in the nickel and took four times as many reps -- 36 for 53%.

It was the most significant change the Browns made coming out of the bye week. Gilbert, who's been playing outside in the nickel defense with starter Buster Skrine moving inside to cover the slot, was replaced as the third cornerback off the bench by Williams.

The difference is, Williams played inside and Skrine stayed outside.

"I don't like having an outside corner have to slide back and forth,'' said Pettine. "We wanted Buster to stay outside. (We) felt that K'Waun got a lot of quality reps in training camp (and) throughout the spring at the nickel, and he played extremely well.''

At first, it looked like the move might backfire. Williams missed a tackle on Kendall Wright on a flat pass and the receiver skated easily into the end zone for an 11-yard TD that opened the scoring.

But Williams rewarded Pettine for the switch late in the game when he sacked Charlie Whitehurst and made the final tackle on third-down tackle to preserve the 29-28 victory.

"K'Waun made a mistake on the first touchdown, but then bounced back and played really well the rest of the way,'' said Pettine.

 And now, it seems that Williams has the edge over Gilbert -- the first-round pick out of Oklahoma State -- as long as Haden is healthy.

He suffered the hip injury in Tennessee, but went to the locker room when the offense was on the field and played all 68 snaps.  His status will be updated Wednesday.

Other quick-hitters from Pettine:

* On if he got his blood pressure under control after the game: "I checked out fine medically this morning. So, I'm all ready to win another close game."

* On if the defensive woes have anything to do with first-time Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil: "No. I don't see it as a factor. As I've explained before, a lot of the game is called on Thursday, on Friday and on Saturday when he and I get together one-on-one, go over the plan, watch the tape and get the situation set. I don't think there have been many situations where there's been an inappropriate call.''

* On if Browns QB Brian Hoyer reached a new level after Sunday's win: "I don't know if I would say that. He's been firmly the guy from the beginning. Whether that cements this a little bit more, that's probably fair to say. I just think, as I said yesterday, his poise, his demeanor, the way he handled himself – it's easy for the guys to rally around him."

* On longsnapper Christian Yount rallying:  "I thought that Christian showed the type of character that he has. I think he had one of his best games snapping that he's had in a long time. I think you have to take every case differently.''

* On Travis Benjamin's 21-yard catch on the Browns' first TD drive: "I think the play of the game that a lot of people maybe don't realize is the first play of the two-minute drive before the half where (Browns FB Ray) Agnew falls down. We don't block the defensive end. (Brian) Hoyer feels it, makes a heck of a throw before he's ready to make it and Travis snaps his head around, comes out of the break and makes an unbelievable catch on the sideline.

 "That really got that drive going. If Brian holds that a click longer that might be a safety or a touchdown the other way. We were thrilled with how Travis responded and we'll keep working with him in practice to try to get him right (on punt returns)."

* On Phil Taylor's knee injury: "I'll have that information for you on Wednesday."

* On game balls: "First of all, the entire offensive line got one. (We) rushed for 176 yards, protected the quarterback well. Those guys played...I mean, there was a toughness to them, and edge to them. They were finishing blocks. That was refreshing to see. (Ben) Tate, Hoyer,  (Benjamin) on offense. Defensively it was  Armonty (Bryant) – made some really, really good hustle plays. K'Waun Williams...'Rube'  (Ahtyba Rubin). Then on special teams it was  Tank (Carder), and it wasn't just for the block. Tank had a real nice tackle on a kickoff, blocked really well. He had one of his best games as a core-teamer for us."

* On if this was a breakout game for Rubin: "This was his best game so far. There had been some inconsistency, but he had been pretty steady. This was one where he...he definitely elevated his play this game."

* Pettine says he probably would've gone for it on fourth and 1 like Ken Whisenhunt did. "I can see why he did it,'' he said.

Benjamin on punt returns: Benjamin said he still has confidence in himself as a punt returner despite the muff yesterday and the one that flew over his head against the Ravens.

"Every day, until I get better at it, I'm going to practice and catch punts, at least 100 punts a day,'' he said. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's still the beginning of the season, and it's 16 games. I know that at the end of the season, I will score a punt return touchdown.''

Recruiting roundup: The differing approaches to roster building at Ole Miss, Mississippi State

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Ole Miss and Mississippi State both landed commitments during their big, coming-out weekends.

A big day for the state of Mississippi on the college gridiron Saturday also yielded some wins on the recruiting front as both Ole Miss and Mississippi State landed commitments this weekend.

Ole Miss received a commitment from Denzel Mitchell, a 4-star 2016 prospect rated the No. 3 running back in his class, the day after the Rebels' breakthrough, 23-17 win over Alabama. MSU got a game-day commitment from 2015 defensive end Anfernee Mullins before the Bulldogs' 48-31 rout of Texas A&M.

The two commitments are a good snapshot of how the Mississippi schools went from SEC afterthoughts to contenders this season.

In the case of Mitchell, it's a representation of how Ole Miss has become more of a player for top recruits.

The Rebels' big breakthrough was a talented 2013 recruiting class ranked among the nation's 10 best that featured 5-star studs like defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, safety Tony Conner, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. All four contributed immediately and have panned out to be major contributors as sophomores this season.

One can argue Mitchell is in that same mold. While not a 5-star pick, Mitchell is the No. 50 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings of 2016 prospects, making him an elite pick. The Rebels beat out Tennessee, Arkansas and others for his pledge, and Alabama and Auburn were just starting to ramp up their interest.

The Rebels landed back-to-back top-15 classes in 2013 and 2014, and landing more players like Mitchell would bring the Rebels in the direction of a third straight such class.

While Ole Miss has landed more top recruits, Mississippi State is winning with more developmental prospects. Mullins fits this mold.

An unrated prospect previously committed to South Alabama, he's more typical of players Dan Mullen has used to build his program. The current Bulldogs roster has just one former 5-star recruit, and MSU's classes are full of players like Mullins who come from small high schools and need work before they are ready to make an impact.

Rumors that Mullins was committed to MSU actually surfaced this summer and the talk was that he would go to Starkville with the goal of adding 30 pounds, which would allow him to physically compete in the SEC. He plays at Aliceville High, a Class 2A school in Alabama.

Mullen's quote in a recent ESPN.com article seems to describe Mullins perfectly.

"For a lot of these kids at small 1A schools, their weight room may consist of one bench and a rack," Mullen told ESPN.com's Chris Low. "We try to do a great job of figuring out not where they are right now but where they're going to be when they get put in a program two or three years down the road."

Junior rush: Mitchell isn't the only 2016 prospect making an early decision.

UCLA landed a commitment from defensive end Breland Brandt, ranked the No. 24 player in the country in the 247Sports composite; Notre Dame got a pledge from Tommy Kraemer, the No. 18 player in the class, per the 247Sports composite; and Texas landed a commitment from Reggie Hemphill-Mapps, the No. 120 player in the class.

Their pledges increase the number of committed Top 50 players in the 2016 class to 15.


Varsity Timeout: Compilation of profiles with area athletes for week of Oct. 7, 2014

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See Q&A profiles with high school newsmakers across Northeast Ohio.

See Q&A profiles with high school newsmakers across Northeast Ohio.

Division I girls golf district tournament: Highland, Kent Roosevelt's strong days; Medina surprises; Avon Lake's Schroeder in top form (video)

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Four area teams and three area individual golfers advanced to the state tournament in a competitive district tournament.

Four area teams and three area individual golfers advanced to the state tournament in a competitive district tournament.

Brandon Wimbush, Ohio State's former top QB target, flips from Penn State to Notre Dame: Buckeyes recruiting

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Four-star quarterback Brandon Wimbush flipped from Penn State to Notre Dame after officially visiting the Irish over the weekend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – There was always a chance that Brandon Wimbush, a four-star prospect and Ohio State's former top quarterback target in the 2015 recruiting class, would flip from his commitment to Penn State. 

But it wasn't the Buckeyes who flipped him. 

It was Notre Dame. 

After taking an official visit to South Bend over the weekend, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep announced on his public Twitter account Tuesday afternoon that he was officially joining the Irish's class. 

Rated by 247Sports the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the class, Wimbush racked up an impressive scholarship offer list that included Alabama, Miami (Fla.) Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Stanford, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and others. 

Wimbush was really high on the Buckeyes early in the process, especially because Urban Meyer gave him his first offer from a major program. 

But if the Buckeyes aren't going to get him, it's probably better for them to see him leave the conference. 

Penn State's James Franklin has been on a roll on the recruiting trail, and landing Wimbush despite having a young Christian Hackenberg on the roster was considered an impressive feat. 

Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao to do something he thought impossible: Play an NBA game in his Brazil homeland

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"They're going to go a little crazy because it's new for all of them," Varejao said of the attention the game will get in Brazil.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Anderson Varejao couldn't help but smile following Tuesday evening's practice. In a couple hours he would be hopping on a plane with his Cavaliers teammates, heading back to Brazil, his home.

"I'm excited," Varejao said. "It's going to be a good trip. It's one of those things that I'm going to remember forever in my career that I went to Brazil to play with my NBA team. It is a great thing for me. It's a big deal for my family and friends and for everybody expecting to watch a very good basketball game down there."

The Cavs are one of five teams that will take part in the NBA Global Games, joining San Antonio, Sacramento, Brooklyn and Miami in an effort to expand the league's popularity around the world.

There will be five preseason games and then two more in the regular season. The opener is Wednesday in Berlin. There are games in Europe and China, but the Cavs will play in Rio de Janeiro, where Varejao's wife is from, on Saturday night against the Heat. It's a game that has been circled since LeBron James returned home in July. But this contest has more meaning than just James and his new team playing against his old squad.

"They're going to go a little crazy because it's new for all of them," Varejao said of the attention the game will get in Brazil. "I believe it's going to be a great experience for all of them because right now people from Brazil, when they come to America, going to an NBA game is part of their schedule, something they have to do. Going to Brazil and having a game there is something huge."

Varejao admitted following practice that soccer is still the sport of choice for a county which hosted the World Cup in July. In Cleveland, Varejao stands out in a crowd. At 6-11 with floppy hair, he's the guy throwing his body around with reckless abandon. "Wild Thing," as he is now affectionately called, has become a fan favorite. It's different in Brazil where names such as Pele, Ronaldo and Neymar dominate the headlines.

"People know of me there but not as much as here in Cleveland," Varejao said. "I think this week they are going to know who I am. I'm coming with the Cavaliers."

When the Cavs arrive, they will be on a mission to build on the improvements already made during training camp. Not wasting a day is a message that James has sent to his teammates since arriving. But it's also a unique opportunity for a group of new players to spend some time bonding away from the court.

Prior to the 2007-08 season, a new-look roster in Boston led by a Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce jettisoned to London and Rome, and it turned out to be a special experience. The coach, Doc Rivers, talked about the importance of it, even mentioning its impact on Boston winning a 17th NBA title.

The Cavs, like those Celtics, are expected to compete for a championship in their first year together. They are hoping to forge a similar bond.

"We're probably going to have a little party for everybody so we can relax a little bit too and not just think about basketball," Varejao said. "We're going to go to dinners together, have lunch together, probably breakfast. This is good to get to know everybody better."

Varejao was hoping to have his mom cook some meals for him during his brief stay, but that won't be happening. Still, he anticipates indulging in the cuisine.

"When you go to Brazil you have to go to a Brazilian steakhouse," he said.

That will serve as Varejao's appetizer. The main course: a chance to play an NBA game at home.

"It's something that 10 years ago when I got to Cleveland I could never imagine," Varejao said. "I couldn't think about it. It was impossible. Now I'm going back to Brazil to play with them. I can't wait to get there."

NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals chase Clayton Kershaw again, beat Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to win series

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The St. Louis Cardinals tagged Clayton Kershaw in the seventh inning for the second straight time, riding Matt Adams' go-ahead, three-run homer to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday and a fourth straight trip to the NL Championship Series.

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Adams could barely contain his enthusiasm -- and he didn't really try, either. He thrust both arms in the air while still in the batter's box and added a couple of big hops to his home run trot as he approached first base.

A stunned Clayton Kershaw, bent over at the waist with his hands on his knees, watched from the mound as the long drive off Big City's bat propelled St. Louis to a fourth straight NL Championship Series.

"Some people are calling it the Big City Leap," Adams said. "I was just super-excited, I didn't know what I was doing ... I knew I was jumping for joy."

The Cardinals tagged Kershaw in the seventh inning for the second straight time, riding Adams' go-ahead, three-run homer to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday for a 3-1 win in the best-of-five Division Series.

"I don't think I touched the ground the whole way around the bases," Adams said. "Definitely the highlight of my career. ... I will never, ever forget this."

Neither will Kershaw.

The Cardinals sent the Dodgers home for the second postseason in a row with a win over Kershaw. Last year it was in Game 6 of the NLCS.

"The season ended and I was a big part of the reason why," Kershaw said. "I can't really put it into words, Just bad deja vu all over again."

The Cardinals await San Francisco or Washington with their rotation well-rested for the NLCS, which starts Saturday. They would open at home against the Giants or at the Nationals.

Trevor Rosenthal allowed two runners in the ninth before getting Carl Crawford on a grounder for a game-ending forceout for his third save of the series. At AT&T Park in San Francisco, fans cheered when the rival Dodgers were eliminated.

"It was awesome, everything we did throughout that game," starter Shelby Miller said. "It was a heck of a game and a lot of fun, I know that."

An overwhelming favorite to win his third NL Cy Young Award in four years, Kershaw's October resume is a wreck.

Kershaw dropped to 1-5 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 postseason games, including three relief appearances early in his career. He has lost four straight starts to St. Louis over the past two postseasons.

"I've had success against them, too," Kershaw said. "It just seems like one inning gets me every time. And obviously that's not success."

While the steady Cardinals advanced to their ninth NLCS in 15 years, the defeat was a huge disappointment for the NL West champion Dodgers, who finished the regular season with a $256 million payroll that was $40 million higher than any other team.

Los Angeles remains without a pennant since winning the 1988 World Series.

"It's awful," catcher A.J. Ellis said. "It's devastating. It just kind of rehashes those old memories."

Manager Don Mattingly wasn't about to second-guess leaving Kershaw in the game, especially with a bullpen that's foundered. He wanted the lefty to get three more outs.

"It goes back to the same question: Is there anybody better, even on short rest, and even where he was at that point?" Mattingly said.

Kershaw started on three days' rest for the second time in his postseason career. He was dominant into the seventh, as he was in Game 1, but again started the inning with three straight hits.

The third hit Tuesday came when Adams, the burly bopper know as Big City, drove a curveball on Kershaw's 102nd pitch into the right-center bullpen to put St. Louis up 3-2.

"I had a pretty good idea that it was gone," Adams said.

The red-clad crowd roared and twirled white towels as Kershaw made a slow slog back to the Dodgers' dugout.

Kershaw allowed one homer to left-handed batters while going 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA in the regular season. He gave up two to the Cardinals, with Matt Carpenter connecting in the opener. The left-handed ace is 0-3 with a 9.72 ERA in his last three postseason appearances.

Reliever Marco Gonzales earned his second victory of the series, after getting treated for a nosebleed. The rookie lefty got Adrian Gonzalez on a groundout to end the seventh and strand two runners.

Pat Neshek worked a perfect eighth for the second straight game and Rosenthal pitched the ninth for a second straight day, receiving two visits to the mound from catcher Yadier Molina and one from the pitching coach after a shaky start to the inning.

Kershaw had yielded only one hit through six innings and struck out nine, including three in a row in the sixth.

But Matt Holliday opened the seventh with a sharp single up the middle off second baseman Dee Gordon's glove, and Jhonny Peralta lined another single before Adams homered off a left-hander for the first time since July 7.

The Cardinals had an NL-low 105 homers this season and left-hander batters had only eight homers against lefty pitching. But lefties hit five off Dodgers southpaws in four playoff games.

Miller matched Kershaw into the sixth, when the Dodgers started the inning with two hits. They scored a run on Matt Kemp's double-play grounder and added another on Juan Uribe's RBI single against Seth Maness.

But Los Angeles wasted a chance to add on when Andre Ethier, playing in place of Yasiel Puig, was picked off third by Molina -- a call overturned by video review.

Miller went 5 2-3 innings in his first postseason start.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright gets extra rest after a Game 1 dud when he was charged with six runs in 4 1-3 innings at Dodger Stadium. He was 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA in September with two complete games, one of them a shutout.

FIRST PITCH

Scott Rolen, who earned three of his seven Gold Gloves at third base and was a key member of two World Series teams, threw out the first pitch.

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AP Sports Writer R.B. Fallstrom wrote this report.




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