Indians' outfielder drives in all four runs in the Tribe's triumph.

UPDATED: 11:15 p.m.

Mark Duncan / Associated PressShelley Duncan gets all of this Scott Kazmir pitch for a two-run homer in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Angels at Progressive Field. It was the second homer of the night for Duncan, who drove in all four runs in the Indians' 4-3 victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians signed Shelley Duncan to a minor-league contract and brought him to spring training this year with the idea that he just might do what he did Tuesday night against the Angels.

Duncan hit two homers and drove in four runs in the Indians' 4-3 victory over the Angels at Progressive Field. Duncan's two homers and four RBI tied his career highs in the big leagues.

"What you saw tonight is why we brought Shelley on board," said manager Manny Acta. "Not just the two home runs, but his ability to hit left-handed pitching. He's done that most of his career in the minor leagues and the time he's been up here.

"He's an aggressive guy. At least you know he's going to take some hacks in there. We like that. Tonight he won the game by himself offensively."

Duncan looks like a home run hitter. He's big and rangy and swings hard. He does not always look as graceful in the outfield. Maybe that's why he liked what happened in left center field in the sixth inning Tuesday night more than going 3-for-3.

The Indians led, 2-1, thanks to Duncan's RBI single in the first and leadoff homer in the fourth off left-hander Scott Kazmir (8-14, 5.99). With two out in the sixth, Torii Hunter singled and Hideki Matsui doubled to left center.

Duncan played Matsui's ball off the wall barehanded and threw to cut-off man Asdrubal Cabrera, who fielded the ball on the short hop. Cabrera, in turn, short-hopped his throw to catcher Lou Marson with Hunter arriving at full speed. Marson took Cabrera's throw and then played tackling dummy to Hunter. Marson went down, but held the ball to end the inning.

"That was a fun play to watch from left-center field," said Duncan. "Cabby makes the good play on the short hop and got rid of it really quick. Then Lou picks the short hop as Hunter gets there at same time.

"As fast as it was, it was really clean. It fired me up more than anything that happened in that game."

While Duncan felt the adrenaline of the play, Marson took its impact.

"He got me pretty good," Marson said of Hunter. "It was pretty much what I expected from a guy trying to blow me up.

"I knew he would come in hard, and I knew it would be a clean play, because he plays the game the right way. He's one of my favorite players."

When Duncan came to the plate in the sixth, he was still vibrating. Kazmir started the inning by walking Shin-Soo Choo. Duncan followed by sending another ball onto the home-run plaza behind the left-field wall for a 4-1 lead. Duncan is hitting .240 (46-for-192) with 10 homers and 31 RBI.

The last time Josh Tomlin and Kazmir faced each other, the Indians and Angels played 16 innings. The way Tomlin (4-3, 4.17) pitched the first six innings, extra innings did not seem to be a possibility.

He started the seventh with two quick outs and a 4-1 lead. Then came Howie Kendrick's double, Bobby Wilson's RBI single and Peter Bourjos' triple to make it 4-3. Rafael Perez relieved and retired Alberto Callaspo on a liner to third to protect the lead.

"Tomlin threw very well," said Acta. "He had command of the cutter and changed speed on it. He had them out in front all night until there were 2-out in the seventh."

Tomlin is 3-0 in his last four starts with a 4.56 ERA.

Perez worked a scoreless inning and Joe Smith ended the eighth with a runner on first by getting Mike Napoli to ground out.

Then it was time for closer Chris Perez. He walked Kendrick and gave up a hit-and-run single to pinch-hitter Juan Rivera. Perez came back to strike out Bourjos and retired Callaspo on a fly ball to left for his 20th save.

"Chris Perez got into a bit of jam there," said Acta, "but when you have the stuff he has, you can work yourself out of those once in a while with a strikeout. He continues to be terrific for us."

Perez is 20-for-24 in save situations.

With Jason Donald out at least a week, the Indians recalled infielder Drew Sutton from Class AAA Columbus. Sutton will miss his teammates, but not the bus rides.

UPDATED: 11:34 p.m.

Mark Duncan / Associated PressIndians catcher Lou Marson absorbed this collision with Los Angeles' Torii Hunter and held onto the ball for the out in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's game at Progressive Field. Hunter attempted to score from first on a double to left field by Hideki Matsui.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Infielder Drew Sutton walked into Progressive Field for the first time Monday since he was 17.
“That’s when the Indians had Robby Alomar, Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome and all those guys,” said Sutton, recalled from Class AAA Columbus. “We were in Cleveland for a summer league World Series and went to a game.
“One of my buddies ran on the field that night. They put him in the lockup at the ballpark. They tackled him and pummeled him a little.”
Asked if he went out on the field, Sutton laughed and said, “No, when you do that, you’re in for some pain.”

Good cause: The Indians, American Red Cross, Cleveland Clinic and WTAM AM/1100 are sponsoring a blood drive Wednesday at the Gateway Plaza between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena from noon to 8 p.m.
All those who donate blood will receive a free T-shirt and seat cushion. They will also have a chance to win autographed Indians memorabilia, tickets or a chance to watch batting practice.

Stat of the day: Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 14 games in the first inning Tuesday. It’s the longest streak by an Indians rookie, according to Elias, since Cory Snyder hit in 14 straight in September 1986.
— Paul Hoynes

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Drew Sutton was sorry to leave his teammates at Class AAA Columbus just before they opened the Governor's Cup Finals on Tuesday night against Durham at Huntington Park.

The Indians recalled Sutton, a utility infielder, because Jason Donald will miss at least a week with a bruised tendon in his right index finger.

"It's sad to be leaving there, but it's awesome to be here, too," said Sutton. "We were all hoping to get called up at the end of the playoffs and I had to leave them, so it was a little bittersweet.

"But they have some tough travel days. In the first round we had an overnight bus trip to Scranton. We got in about 9 a.m. and had a 6 p.m. game. I think they're going to have some of the same kind of travel with Durham.

"I'm not going to miss that."

Manager Manny Acta said Luis Valbuena will fill in for Donald at second base. Sutton will see some action there as well.

As for Donald, Acta said, "There's not a fracture, but he'll be out a minimum of a week."

Donald was injured attempting a squeeze bunt Saturday against the Twins. The squeeze worked, with Travis Hafner sliding home with what should have been the winning run. Plate umpire Brian Gorman didn't see it that way, calling Donald out because he said the bunted ball hit him in front of the plate.

Replays showed that Donald was not hit in front of the plate, but Gorman thought so when Donald waved his hand in pain from being hit bunting the ball. The Indians lost the game, 1-0, in 12 innings.

"When I was walking back to the plate," said Donald, "I could feel and hear my finger popping. That's never happened to me before. I didn't know if the bone was going to be sticking out when I took off my batting glove or what."

Sutton, 27, has spent most of this season at Class AAA Louisville and Columbus. He's hitting .273 (98-for-359) with 24 doubles, one triple, five homers and 42 RBI in 113 games.

The Indians claimed the switch-hitter on waivers from Cincinnati after he spent two games with the Reds on May 27-28.

Thumbs up: Hall of Famer Bob Feller, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August, was at Tuesday's game.

"Everything is positive," said Feller, 91. "I go in for my second round of chemotherapy next week at the Cleveland Clinic. I've got a good doctor and I'm at one of the best hospitals in the world."

Dr. Bill Wilder, former team physician for the Indians, is advising Feller.

Testing, testing: Mitch Talbot (right shoulder) was scheduled to be examined Tuesday night. If he can't make his next scheduled start this weekend in Kansas City, Justin Masterson could replace him.

Masterson relieved Talbot on Sunday in the first inning and pitched seven innings against the Twins. If Masterson fills in for Talbot, it would probably be his last appearance of the season because the Indians don't want Masterson -- who has thrown 173 innings -- surpassing 180.

The Buckeyes have coverage issues to take care of as they prepare for Ohio University on Saturday.

UPDATED: 10:22 p.m.

Al Diaz / Miami HeraldThe sight of Miami's Lamar Miller returning a first-half kickoff for a touchdown -- the Hurricanes also had a punt return for a score as well -- is prompting plenty of attention on special teams by OSU head coach Jim Tressel this week.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It's hard to imagine Jim Tressel stressing special teams play any more than he already does.

"Impossible," OSU receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said Tuesday. "It's preached to us all the time that special teams wins championships, and we try to pride ourselves on that. We did not have a great game in that area and I think a lot of guys take that personally."

Though Ohio State practices already typically begin with special teams drills, some players said Tuesday included extra work on the coverage units that allowed a punt return and a kick return for a touchdown in Saturday's 36-24 win over Miami. The No. 2 Buckeyes survived in that game against what was the No. 12 team in the nation, so they'd probably survive another two returns for scores by 30-point underdog Ohio University on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

But that's no way to go through a season.

"As players we know we should be known for special teams," said OSU starting linebacker Ross Homan, who was on the field as part of the punt coverage.

To restore their reputation, Tressel explained Tuesday several ways the Buckeyes could address the coverage issues before hosting the Bobcats.

• Stick to the basics: It can be as simple as staying in your lanes, especially on the kick return.

On the touchdown, veteran Nate Oliver was double-teamed and driven out of the play, while Taylor Rice was taken out with what maybe could have been called a block in the back, though blocking calls are often missed on special teams. When Rice fell, he also took out redshirt freshman Dorian Bell, who forced a fumble on a Marshall return in the opener, right at the start of the play.

But as Miami returner Lamar Miller cut left, he found a hole because the Buckeyes' outside players, young cornerbacks Corey Brown and Dominic Clarke, weren't there, Clarke hopping outside to avoid a block.

"The first half of the kickoff, you can avoid and get back in your lane. When you get to the second half of the kickoff, you can't avoid," Tressel said, noting that all three long kickoff returns Saturday, the Miami touchdown and two 40-plus returns by the Buckeyes, had cover guys "avoiding tackles as opposed to taking on blocks and holding gap integrity."

"So what can you do?" Tressel asked. "You can do it right, just like any other play, but it's really magnified in the special teams."

• Adjust the personnel: Tressel was asked specifically about putting linebacker Etienne Sabino, a special teams veteran, back in the lineup instead of sticking with the plan to redshirt him.

Tressel said that hadn't been considered, but the coaches did talk Tuesday about putting return men and backup running backs Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry on the coverage teams. As the No. 3 and No. 4 running backs who saw no offensive action Saturday, both are looking for more.

"The answer to getting more is do well with the few you get," Tressel said. "And those guys are doing a good job with the few opportunities they're getting. So now they should get more responsibility."

Tressel also could put in other first-team defenders, though starting linebackers Homan and Brian Rolle were already on the punt team that allowed the touchdown. But Tressel doesn't want to overwork Buckeyes playing almost all the snaps on either side of the ball.

• Kick it deeper: Tressel admitted that the Buckeyes miss graduated kicker Aaron Pettrey, who actually got hurt halfway through last season, when the kick coverage first started to suffer. Senior Devin Barclay and freshman Drew Basil, who handles the kickoffs, don't kick the ball as high or as deep as Pettrey did. Basil's kickoff that was returned landed at the 12 yard line.

"We've got to get there," Tressel said. "We've got a young guy who's got a ton of talent and there's going to be a day where he may look [great]."

Barclay was brought in to handle some short kickoffs later in the game, ones that gave up decent field position but were designed to eliminate the possibility of a runback. It worked for the moment.

"We've got to work even harder this week on that area of weakness," Barclay said.

Barnett out: Tressel said starting safety C.J. Barnett is expected to be out for the season after requiring knee surgery on Tuesday. Barnett played well in his second career start against the Hurricanes, but will be able to take a medical red-shirt and retain three years of eligibility. Sophomore Orhian Johnson, who missed much of preseason training camp with a calf injury as Barnett stepped in and won the starting job, is 100 percent healthy and will move into the starting lineup.

Columbus got homers from Jerad Head, Jared Goedert and Wes Hodges in romp over Durham.

Jonathan Quilter / Columbus DispatchClippers shortstop Josh Rodriguez forces the Durham Bulls' Joe Dillon at second and throws to first for a double play in the fifth inning Tuesday in Game 1 of their championship series at Columbus.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 18, Bulls 5: LF Jerad Head homered and drove in six runs, 3B Jared Goedert homered and drove in three, and 1B Wes Hodges homered and drove in three as nine Clippers got at least two hits and host Columbus thumped Durham (N.C.) on Tuesday in the first game of the best-of-five Governor's Cup International League Championship Series.

Head and Goedert each had three of Columbus' 20 hits, and C Luke Carlin drove in two runs as eight Clippers had at least one RBI. Columbus LHP David Huff allowed one unearned run and four hits in seven innings. He struck out five.

Notes: Game 2 is at 6:35 Wednesday night in Columbus.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 6, Loons 1: SS Casey Frawley homered, 2B Argenis Martinez drove in two runs and LHP Vidal Nuno allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings as Lake County defeated Great Lakes in the third and deciding game of the Midwest League Eastern Division Championship Series in Midland, Mich.

The Captains advance to face the Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings in the Midwest League Championship Series.

Nuno gave up five hits and three walks. He struck out six. Gregory Folgia and Delvi Cid each had a run-scoring single in Lake County's three-run second inning.

Notes: The Captains will start RHP Jason Knapp against the LumberKings at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Clinton, Iowa. RHP Yoervis Medina will start for the LumberKings. Game 2 will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Clinton. Lake County will host Game 3 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 4 and Game 5 will be at home at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

James' "Q Score," a measure of his popularity, has him rated by the public as the sixth most-disliked figure in sports.

ESPN/APHe's playing with close friends, but LeBron James may be paying a price for his decision with the public.

It looks like Cleveland Cavaliers fans aren't the only ones a little miffed with LeBron James these days.

CNBC reports that James' "Q Score," a measure of his popularity, has him rated by the public as the sixth most-disliked figure in sports.

The Q Scores Company says James is viewed in a positive light by 14 percent of those polled, and in a negative light by 39 percent of the population -- his lowest score ever.

His negative score places him behind only Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, golfer Tiger Woods, Bengals receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. In January, James' scores were 24 percent positive, 22 percent negative.

Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme will sit out today's practice and is "day-to-day'' for Sunday's opener against the Chiefs.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBrowns quarterback Jake Delhomme is iffy for Sunday's home opener with a right ankle injury.

CLEVELAND -- Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme will sit out practice today with a right ankle injury suffered Sunday against the Bucs. He's "day-to-day'' for Sunday's home opener against Kansas City.

 Delhomme wore a walking boot on Tuesday, a source said. He also underwent a MRI, results of which were not revealed.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said  Delhomme "is getting better'' but that he's still sore. "He's a pretty tough guy,'' said Mangini, adding that he's had players return from ankle injuries by the next game.

He said he'll make his decision at the end of the week. He did not say whether or not he'll announce his decision.  "It just depends on how the week goes,'' Mangini said.

Mangini said he felt comfortable with keeping Delhomme in the Bucs game based on all the information he received during the game. He said sometimes you know more after the game.

The injury occurred at the end of the first half on a Delhomme interception that killed the Browns' momentum. He limped and grimaced, but played the entire second half, completing only 9-of-19 attempts and throwing another interception.

Seneca Wallace, who will take the first-team reps today, will get the start if Delhomme can't play.

Cleveland sports bloggers offer their reaction to Justin Masterson heading to the bullpen, Sunday's Browns' loss, Jake Delhomme's play and the new-look Cavaliers.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerJustin Masterson finished strong as a starter this year and will spend the rest of the season in the bullpen in order to limit his innings.

Indians

WaitingForNextYear: "Innings limits are funny things because nobody is quite sure how to handle them. Some believe you shouldn't add more than 20 innings per season to a young pitcher's arm. Some believe you shouldn't increase innings by more than 15% to 20% year over year. Some believe that pitching limits are silly, and young pitchers need to compete." » Read more

Browns

Cleveland Reboot: "Yet, because our 'rebuild' and our 'revamp' seem to be colliding with each other, the overall progress of this team is derailed. Witness the Bucs game, where our Browns were either too raw, too slow or just generally stationary. Eventually, this new version of 'The Process' will straighten itself out. In time, the experience currently being gained by the likes of T.J. Ward and Joe Haden will pay off in the future. In fact, with the exception of Haden falling for a hitch route on Sunday, he turned in some of the best corner play we've seen in some time. And, of course, the hope is that eventually some more genuine athletes are headed Cleveland's way." » Read more

No Logo Needed: "After that pick, Delhomme fell apart and played like a deer in headlights. I really thought a change of scenery would get Delhomme back to the quarterback he was before losing all confidence in Carolina. It looks like he still has those issues. Hopefully Jake can brush this off and come back strong, but as soon as he [makes a throw like that] that in front of the home crowd, he is going to hear boos that will surely shake his confidence." » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "Now you're into the third quarter, having dominated the game, but only up four points. You've turned the ball over on consecutive possessions. It's hard to win on the road in the NFL. How much harder now that you've gone and let what you know (you just know) is an inferior opponent hang in by way of your own mistakes? Your window is closing, thanks to you. How much hotter does the Tampa heat get as you realize this?" » Read more

Cavaliers

Land Loyalty: "It goes without saying that things for the Cavaliers have changed dramatically this offseason. New coach, new GM, new public enemy No. 1. Everyone knows that the Cavs aren't going to be very good next year, and that a lot of the things they did well last year they will no longer be able to do. But there are some things that are going to change for the better. Yes, LeBron did so many things that are not easily replaced, but he also held the Cavaliers back in certain ways and, now that he is gone, the Cavs have the opportunity to improve in these areas." » Read more

'64 and Counting: informs us that homeless people in Miami or more than happy to take our old LeBron James gear.

Defenses always seem to be a step ahead of Browns in the second half, PD Browns reporter says.

Browns coach Eric Mangini, left, and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have to do a better job making offensive adjustments at halftime, says Mary Kay Cabot.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

Let's go to the highlights:

• It's only one game into the season, but are these the same old Cleveland Browns? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

• Today's guest, Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, checks in from Berea with breaking news about Jake Delhomme's injury. She says Eric Mangini reports that Delhomme is day-to-day.

Mary Kay also talks about fans' concerns that the Browns don't make appropriate halftime adjustments offensively (she agrees); and also discusses how the Browns' offense might change if Seneca Wallace is behind center Sunday instead of Delhomme.

SBTV will return Thursday morning with PD columnist Bud Shaw as the guest.

Seneca Wallace is the starting quarterback today, and possibly through the week.

John Kuntz, The PDBrowns QB Jake Delhomme hurt his ankle in the season opener at Tampa.

BEREA, Ohio -- Still in a walking boot on his right foot, Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme stood in the locker room today and said, "It's extremely disappointing. To me, it's embarrassing."

Delhomme has not been ruled out of Sunday's home opener against the Chiefs, but he won't practice today and isn't sure when he'll return this week, if at all.

 Delhomme hurt his right ankle on the first interception thrown in the final seconds of the first half in Tampa. He said the ankle was taped at halftime and he played through the injury the second half without realizing how serious it was.

He said he knew later Sunday night that it was worse than expected.

Delhomme had an MRI on the ankle Tuesday, but would not disclose the results.

Pepsi said Wednesday it will air three ads created by fans for its Pepsi MAX brand. The company has been marketing its no-calorie version of namesake Pepsi to counteract Coca-Cola's fast-growing Coke Zero.

View full sizeAssociated Press filePepsi is back in the game. The soft drink brand will advertise in next year's Super Bowl after sitting out last year for the first time in more than two decades.

NEW YORK -- Pepsi is back in the game. The soft drink brand will advertise in next year's Super Bowl after sitting out last year for the first time in more than two decades.

Pepsi said Wednesday it will air three ads created by fans for its Pepsi MAX brand. The company has been marketing its no-calorie version of namesake Pepsi to counteract Coca-Cola's fast-growing Coke Zero.

Last year, the Purchase, N.Y.-based company sidelined its top brand from the world's biggest advertising spectacle for the first time since 1987. Pepsi had been a perennial advertiser but opted out of the game to shift spending to its "Pepsi Refresh Project," which pays for community projects.

Pepsi also plans once again advertise snack brand Doritos, and for a fifth year will air ads created by fans.

The company will air six 30-second ads total, three for each brand.

It declined to say how much it will spend on the ads. Commercials typically come in 30-second blocks -- which sold this past year for between $2.5 million and more than $3 million.

Fans will make all six commercials and select two ads to air for each brand, while company executives will select the remaining ad for both Pepsi MAX and Doritos.

Submissions will be accepted from Sept. 27 through Nov. 15, and 10 finalists will be announced in January.

Pepsi is putting its dollars now behind Pepsi MAX, which has been around longer than Coke Zero but is a fraction of its size. Pepsi said it is selling 44 percent more Pepsi MAX since July, when it premiered a revamped version of a 1995 Super Bowl commercial. Pepsi's "Diner" Super Bowl commercial features delivery drivers from Pepsi MAX and Coke Zero forming a short-lived friendship in a diner over music.

The drivers sample each other's drinks and the Coca-Cola driver prefers Pepsi MAX.

Female columnist questions antics and attire of reporter at center of Jets sexual harassment investigation.

View full sizeAP FileAzteca television reporter Ines Sainz, whose tweet about the boorish behavior of several Jets, including head coach Rex Ryan and assistant Dennis Thurman triggered apologies and an investigation by the NFL, previewed the 2009 Super Bowl by measuring the biceps of players in a "strongest arms" competition.

It's taken a long time for women to be taken seriously in sports media. It was 20 years ago this week that Lisa Olson, currently a sports columnist for AOL Fanhouse, was subjected to humiliating treatment by members of the New England Patriots in their locker room, an incident that many acknowledge as a turning point for female media members in their struggle to gain respect in the sports industry. At the time, many dismissed Olson's claims of harassment, and she received an avalanche of public scorn.

But at the risk of sounding insensitive to Sainz, I would never group her situation with the Jets with Olson's treatment by the Pats. I'm having a hard time feeling sympathetic for someone who at times carries herself in a manner that insults some women in this business.

... Then there's the matter of the attire she's worn on the job around professional football. A quick Google search turns up numerous images of Sainz standing on a football field in clothing that seems better suited for a nightclub.

...In no way am I saying Sainz deserved to be disrespected because of what she wore or that she doesn't bring a hard-hitting, Barbara Walters-type approach to her job.

It isn't fair, but female sports journalists have to adhere to unspoken rules that our male counterparts never have to consider. Otherwise, the door is left open for comments such as the ones Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis made when he was asked on a D.C. radio show about Sainz's situation.

"You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she's going to want somebody. I don't know what kind of woman won't, if you get to go and look at 53 men's [bodies]," Portis said. "I know you're doing a job, but at the same time, the same way I'm going to cut my eye if I see somebody worth talking to, I'm sure they do the same thing."

Portis -- or more likely, someone on the Redskins publicity staff, writing for him -- quickly issued an apology for the remarks, as well he should. But those comments and the Sainz incident show two things: How far the NFL has come from Olson's time ... and sadly, how far it still has to go.

The league itself has sent a memo to all 32 teams "reminding them of the media relations policy for equal access and its rules for general conduct toward media," said the Associated Press. 

Those rules stress that “women are a common part of the sports media. By law, women must be granted the same rights to perform their jobs as men. Please remember that women reporters are professionals and should be treated as such, “ AP reported.

League spokesman Greg Aiello also sent an email to the Association of Women in Sports Media restating league policy, AP said. 

Buckeyes were upset by a 1-5 Purdue team last season. This week's opponent, Ohio University, led OSU in third quarter two years ago before Buckeyes rallied for 26-14 win.

Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer Ohio State coach Jim Tressel wants to see improved kick coverage, but it might be a bigger challenge to keep the Buckeyes motivated against ordinary opponents.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State and its football fans got what they wanted in last Saturday's much-anticipated game against Miami (Fla.): a win, 36-24, to make the Buckeyes 2-0.

The OSU victory was in some jeopardy, though, until deep into the fourth quarter. The culprit for the Buckeyes was their kick coverage units, which allowed the Hurricanes to make big plays and stay in the game.

Ohio State, the nation's second-ranked team, hosts Ohio University on Saturday. It's unlikely that the Bobcats (1-1) will mount any kind of serious challenge to the Buckeyes, so some observers will foucs their attention on specific aspects of Ohio State's performance.

Certainly, the kick coverage units invite some scrutiny. John Kampf writes about the units for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:

Miami scored one offensive touchdown — the only offensive touchdown the Buckeyes have given up this season. The Hurricanes' first touchdown came on an 88-yard kickoff return by Lamar Miller in the first quarter, and their second came on a 79-yard punt return by Travis Benjamin in the second quarter.

Tressel indicated on Monday that missed assignments and lack of execution were to blame — issues that could be shored up with personnel changes.

"If you err on the line as a kickoff coverage guy, there's a 10-yard issue," Tressel said, "and if there's a fast guy running through that 10-yard issue, everyone else is in trouble."

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com/osu Ohio State coverage includes beat writer Doug Lesmerises' report on the Buckeyes' kick coverage teams.

Other Buckeyes coverage includes Doug Lesmerises' answers to readers' questions on Buckeyes Tweets.

Can't think 6-0

Ohio State's next four games are against Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, all of which -- at least on paper -- figure to be easy Buckeyes' wins. Ken Gordon writes about this portion of the schedule:

So the Buckeyes' task between now and Oct.16, when they travel to Wisconsin, is to avoid simply treading water, to keep from winning games but losing their edge.

Coach Jim Tressel called it "reality, that when you play in an emotional game, there is that human tendency to take a deep breath (the next week)."

Defensive tackle Dexter Larimore added, "There is a big danger that guys maybe say, 'Oh, we got this.'"

Players always say they are aware of the possibility of a letdown. No player has ever said, "This team stinks and we should beat them easily, even if we don't try too hard."

So sometimes, it's tough to tell if a group truly understands the task or is just paying lip service.

Justin Boren knows

Star offensive guard Justin Boren knows from first-hand experience that the Buckeyes shouldn't take any team lightly. Rusty Miller writes for the Associated Press, via the Akron Beacon Journal:

On Sept. 1, 2007, Boren played for Michigan when the fifth-ranked Wolverines were shocked 34-32 by championship-subdivision Appalachian State.

''Appalachian State was a good team. People think that these [unranked] teams are so much different, but they're really not,'' Boren said Tuesday. ''They're all very capable teams. Appalachian State was a very good team. People look at it and, like, dang, Michigan must be terrible. It's not like that.''

Now in his second year starting since transferring to Ohio State, that afternoon is indelibly etched in Boren's mind. With the second-ranked Buckeyes favored by more than four touchdowns over Ohio University on Saturday, Boren scoffs at what the oddsmakers and experts say.

''It seems like every year there's a couple of those games,'' he said. ''It's a real issue, it can happen any week.''

Candidates

Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa and quarterback Terrelle Pryor are in Big Ten defensive and offensive Player of the Year races, on Adam Rittenberg's Big Ten Blog for ESPN.com.

Rittenberg notes Chekwa's performance in the Miami game:

Recorded two interceptions and six tackles, including one for loss. Leads the league with five passes defended.

Through the uprights

Ohio State team notes on USAToday.com.

The road to a football scholarship for Ohio University defensive lineman Dak Notestine, by Mark Znidar of the Columbus Dispatch.

The FoxSports.com/CollegeFootballNews.com power rankings. 

Last year's Heisman Trophy winner has practiced all week for top-ranked Crimson Tide's Saturday game against Duke. Tailback missed first two games after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Associated PressAlabama's Mark Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards, caught passes for 334 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in 2009.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Alabama coach Nick Saban says Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram is "ready to go."

Ingram has practiced all week for the top-ranked Crimson Tide ahead of Saturday's visit to Duke. The tailback missed the first two games after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Saban said Wednesday he hasn't decided Ingram's role for his first game back. Trent Richardson has started in his place.

The coach says Ingram has been running and cutting well, and it's important for Ingram to play against Duke both physically and for his confidence level.

Left tackle James Carpenter (ankle) and linebackers Courtney Upshaw (ankle) and Chris Jordan (shoulder) have been practicing after sustaining injuries. He said he expected them to go through the entire practice Wednesday.

OSU defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said Robinson is a much bigger passing threat than a year ago.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerIn their 2009 win, Ohio State controlled Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.

The game is 10 weeks away, but the hope provided by Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson at least raises the possibility of a more competitive Ohio State-Michigan game than we saw in the first two years of the Rich Rodriguez era. The Buckeyes won in 2008 and 2009 by a combined score of 63-17.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he voted for Michigan both weeks this season as part of his coaches ballot.

"They've been impressive," Tressel said. "In September, we root for everyone in the Big Ten. Then when it gets to the Big Ten games, obviously, we're only rooting for ourselves. But I think it's important in September and that December-January timeframe for all of us to do the best we can. Michigan has certainly done that these first two weekends. It's been fun to see."

During interviews Tuesday I asked two Buckeyes about Robinson in particular. One was Michigan transfer Justin Boren, who, not surprisingly, wasn't expansive in his answer.

"Yeah, that's pretty crazy. I read in the paper he had a lot of yards," Boren said. "I haven't really watched any of their games, but from the stuff I've heard, he's playing really well."

OSU senior defensive tackle Dexter Larimore will be at the point of attack against Robinson on Nov. 27 and, like most others, he sees Robinson as the man the Wolverines have been waiting for.

"Obviously we don't look ahead much, but he's doing an unbelievable job," Larimore said. "That's kind of the offense that Rich Rodriguez has probably been looking for, so it's going to be fun to try to stop him because he's doing phenomenal right now."

Last season as a freshman Robinson played some against Ohio State, completing 2 of 4 passes for 3 yards and running 10 times for 31 yards, including a 17-yard gain. But a year ago, Larimore said Robinson was basically a running quarterback in to only execute a Wildcat type package, with no real threat of burning a defense with his arm.

"He was going to run it, and that's why last year we were able to stop it, because we knew it was probably going to be a run," Larimore said. "So we lined up in run formation and got a blitz going or something and stopped the run. This year, he's been doing very well in the passing game and getting balls out there, and that's what's probably critical to their offense, posing that threat of they can still throw it. So then all of a sudden you can't have eight or nine guys in the box."

"Cutting Hafner would probably be the single most stupid thing the Tribe could do right now. I'll certainly agree that .270 is nothing to write home about, but it's second or third on the team, meaning that cutting him would reduce your already poor firepower. More importantly, when you cut him, you still owe him the money, so you don't save yourself a dime to put someplace else. Hafner is never going to earn the big bucks he is getting, but cutting him is just stupid and emotion driven." - WSorBust

View full sizeJim Mone | Associated PressTravis Hafner has not lived up to the contract he signed in the middle of 2007.

In response to the story Shelley Duncan homers twice as Cleveland Indians defeat Los Angeles Angels, 4-3, cleveland.com reader WSorBust is tired of hearing people call for the Indians to cut Hafner. This reader writes,

"Cutting Hafner would probably be the single most stupid thing the Tribe could do right now. I'll certainly agree that .270 is nothing to write home about, but it's second or third on the team, meaning that cutting him would reduce your already poor firepower. More importantly, when you cut him, you still owe him the money, so you don't save yourself a dime to put someplace else. Hafner is never going to earn the big bucks he is getting, but cutting him is just stupid and emotion driven."

"It shouldn't even matter what Delhomme feels now. The head coach left him in injured and it contributed bigtime to the loss of a football game." - kingbrown

John Kuntz | The Plain DealerJake Delhomme played the second half of Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay with an injured ankle.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns Jake Delhomme says he's disappointed and embarrassed about ankle injury , cleveland.com reader kingbrown thinks Delhomme shouldn't even have been in the game in the second half. This reader writes,

"It shouldn't even matter what Delhomme feels now. The head coach left him in injured and it contributed bigtime to the loss of a football game."

"It is his behavior before and after 'The Decision' that had the greatest negative effect - quitting on the team, chest pounding, the king attitude, overexposure, not being up front with the organization and fans about his departure, exploiting the fan base and totally unapologetic about his behavior." - boogie2shoes

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerOther factors besides 'The Decision' - like LeBron's strange Game 5 behavior - play into fan reaction towards him.

In response to the story LeBron's popularity tumbling since 'decision'; is it fair or foul?, cleveland.com reader boogie2shoes thinks it was more than just "The Decision" that hurt LeBron's popularity. This reader writes,

"It is his behavior before and after 'The Decision' that had the greatest negative effect - quitting on the team, chest pounding, the king attitude, overexposure, not being up front with the organization and fans about his departure, exploiting the fan base and totally unapologetic about his behavior."

"Long, long way to go. Wisconsin and Iowa might just be the toughest games Ohio State plays this year." - CavsFaninNW

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain Dealer Jim Tressel has the Buckeyes off to a strong start, but there are still plenty of speed bumps along the way.

In response to the story Ohio State remains No. 2 in both polls, behind No. 1 Alabama, cleveland.com reader CavsFaninNW isn't ready to declare Ohio State national champions yet. This reader writes,

"Long, long way to go. Wisconsin and Iowa might just be the toughest games Ohio State plays this year."

Clippers' hitting has complemented superb starting and relief pitching. Captains get to finals by winning two decisive Game 5's, both in best-of-five series.

Columbus Clippers

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Tonight: Durham at Clippers, 6:35. Clippers lead the best-of-five games International League Governor's Cup Finals, 1-0. Bulls RHP Aneury Rodriguez 6-5, 3.80 regular season; 0-0, 3.38 playoffs) vs. Clippers RHP Zach Rodriguez (9-12, 5.29 regular season; 0-0, 1.59 playoffs).

Notes: The third game of the series, and if necessary, Games 4 and 5, will be played at Durham on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. RH Yohan Pino is scheduled to start Game 3 for the Clippers, and RH Paolo Espino is slated for the Game 4 start....Going into Wednesday night's game, the Clippers playoff leaders in batting average were catcher Luke Carlin, .500 (7-of-14); OF Jerad Head, .444 (8-of-18); CF Ezequiel Carrera, .429 (9-of-21); IF Drew Sutton, .333 (6-of-18); 1B Wes Hodges, .316 (6-of-19); OF Jose Constanza, .280 (7-of-25); 3B Jared Goedert, .273 (6-of-22). Carlin and Hodges each had two home runs; Carlin and 2B Josh Rodriguez each had three doubles. Leaders in RBI were Head and Hodges (eight), Carlin (five) and Carrera and Rodriguez (four). Leaders in runs were Head and Carrera (six) and Carlin and Hodges (five). Rodriguez was hitting .222 (4-of-18) but had produced seven runs. 2B Cord Phelps was hitting .200 (4-of-20) but led in walks with five. Carlin and Carrera had each drawn four walks....Going into Wednesday night's game, RH Yohan Pino (1-0, 0.00), LH David Huff (1-0, 1.93), RH Paolo Espino (1-0, 2.57) and RH Zach McAllister (0-0, 1.59) had made the Clippers five playoff starts (two by Huff) and had a combined ERA of 1.61 in 33 2/3 innings....Going into Wednesday night's game, and including playoff games, 1B Wes Hodges was 16-of-53 (.302) with five home runs, two doubles, 15 RBI and nine runs in his last 13 games....OF Ezequiel Carrera was 22-of-62 (.355) in his last 15 games, with three doubles, two triples, two homers, 11 runs, nine RBI and eight stolen bases in nine attempts....OF Jose Constanza had reached base in his last 29 games, including the last 24 regular season games, when he had hits in 21 of them and hit .378 (37-of-98)....Ezequiel Carrera had reached base in his last 24 games, including -- like Constanza -- all five playoff games....Going into Wednesday night's game, and counting their playoff appearances, RH reliever Vinnie Pestano had allowed one run while earning six saves in his last 12 games, striking out 16, walking two and giving up four hits in 12 innings....RH reliever Zach Putnam had allowed one run (unearned) while going 1-0 in his last 12 games, fanning 19, walking three and giving up five hits in 16 1/3 innings; RH reliever Josh Judy has allowed one run (unearned) in his last 10 games, fanning 14 while yielding five hits and two walks in 11 1/3 innings....On this date in 1979, Roger Holt's RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 7 gave Columbus a 4-3 win over the Toledo Mud Hens, and earned the Governor's Cup Finals championship for the Clippers. Columbus won the best-of-seven game series, four games to three. The Clippers also won the International League title the next season, 4-1, over the Mud Hens, in the league's last best-of-seven series. The Governor's Cup went to a best-of-five format in 1981. The Clippers were part of the New York Yankees organization. The Mud Hens, now affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, were part of the Minnesota Twins organization.

A Lake County Captains

Tonight: Captains at Clinton, 7:30. Game 1 of best-of-five Midwest League championship series. Captains RHP Chris Knapp (1-0, 3.94 regular season; 1-0, 0.00 playoffs) vs. LumberKings RHP Yoervis Medina (5-0, 2.50 regular season; 1-0, 3.00 playoffs).

Notes: The Captains starter on Wednesday night, RHP Jason Knapp, had struck out 35 in 21 innings for the Captains in five games, including his five scoreless innings for the victory in a decisive Game 3 win over West Michigan in the first playoff round. Prior to joining the Captains, Knapp, 20, had fanned 18 in 12 1/3 innings over five outings in the Arizona League -- where, beginning in July, he pitched in games for the first time since having off-season shoulder surgery. In the 33 1/3 combined innings going into Wednesday night's game, Knapp was 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA and had given up just 19 hits -- including no homers. He had walked 13. Knapp, a 2008 second-round draft pick of the Phillies and considered an elite prospect, came to the Indians in the trade of Cliff Lee to Philadelphia last July....Going into Wednesday night's game, RH reliever Preston Guilmet had earned a save in all three of his playoff appearances, pitching six scoreless innings. He had struck out nine, walked none and allowed two hits. Including the regular season and playoffs, Guilmet was 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 14 saves in 33 games (all relief), striking out 88 and walking 10 in 58 innings, while giving up just 37 hits -- including just three homers....1B Adam Abraham was hitting .348 (70-of-201) 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 45 RBI in his last 52 games....RH reliever Jeremy Johnson was 0-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 innings over his last nine games, including the playoffs. He had struck out 14, walked five and given up 10 hits during the stretch....The Captains' leading hitters in their six playoff games going into Wednesday night were OF Jonathan Burnette, .368 (7-of-19, two doubles, two homers four RBI, four runs); 2B Argenis Martinez, .333 (5-of-15, four runs, three RBI); OF Jason Smit, .316 (6-of-19, one homer, one double, seven runs, three RBI); SS Casey Frawley, .292 (7-of-24, two doubles, one homer, three runs, two RBI); OF Tyler Holt, .286 (6-of-21, one double, three RBI, four walks, three stolen bases in three tries, one run); 1B Adam Abraham, .263 (5-of-19, two homers, one double, four runs, two RBI, four walks); CF Delvi Cid, .222 (6-of-27four RBI, three runs, five stolen bases in five tries)....LHP Giovanni Soto was 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in six regular season starts with the Captains, and took a loss in his lone playoff appearance thus far, going 4 1/3 innings and yielding four runs on three hits and five walks with four strikeouts. The Indians acquired Soto from West Michigan, a Detroit Tigers farm team, in exchange for Jhonny Peralta on July 28. In a combined 22 regular season games -- all starts -- for the Captains and Whitecaps, Soto was 9-8 with a 2.93 ERA and two shutouts. He struck out 107, walked 36 and held batters to a .237 average and seven homers in 113 2/3 innings.

Bush, recently ruled by NCAA as ineligible for 2005 season, announced Tuesday he would forfeit the award. The head of the Heisman Trophy Trust says today the 2005 award will be vacated.

Associated PressReggie Bush after being announced as the Heisman Trophy winner in Dec., 2005. Bush forfeited the award on Tuesday.

New York – There will be no 2005 Heisman winner now that Reggie Bush has returned the award from that year.

The head of the Heisman Trophy Trust said Wednesday that the 2005 award will be vacated.

"We've determined that there will be no winner," William Dockery said in an interview with ESPN.

Bush announced Tuesday that he would forfeit the trophy after the NCAA ruled him ineligible for that season due for receiving improper benefits while he starred for Southern California.

The Heisman Trophy Trust requires players to be in good standing with the NCAA to be eligible for college football's highest honor.

Former Texas quarterback Vince Young finished a distant second to Bush in the voting that year. There was speculation that Young might be given the award if it was taken from Bush.

Dockery said Bush, now with the New Orleans Saints, met in New York last week with some of the eight members of the trust. He did not disclose what was discussed in that meeting, but did say Bush was not given any notice of whether the trust intended to strip the former Southern California star of his trophy.