WARREN, Ohio — In a game for computer rankings, the Mentor Cardinals loaded up a bunch of points Friday. Led by a four-touchdown performance by Colton Wallace, the Cardinals defeated the Warren G. Harding Raiders, 28-13, at Mollenkopf Stadium. The Cardinals entered play ranked ninth in the Division I, Region 1 standings. The Raiders were 10th.

Mentor’s Mike Korecz, right, looks for running room as Warren Harding’s Alex Polenick pursues in the third quarter Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium.



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(R. Michael Semple / Warren Tribune-Chronicle)

WARREN, Ohio — In a game for computer rankings, the Mentor Cardinals loaded up a bunch of points Friday.

Led by a four-touchdown performance by Colton Wallace, the Cardinals defeated the Warren G. Harding Raiders, 28-13, at Mollenkopf Stadium. The Cardinals entered play ranked ninth in the Division I, Region 1 standings. The Raiders were 10th.

The Cardinals are 4-3 but have won three straight to take their playoff aspirations from life support to still kicking. Their losses were to St. Edward, Solon and Massillon.

"We could have won all three," Cardinals coach Steve Trivisonno said of the losses. "It's not easy to play seven weeks in a row. These kids kept fighting with a tough schedule, and they've put themselves in pretty good position."

The Raiders are 5-2 and licking their wounds after losing a chance to make a move in the rankings.

"I don't think this is the end all," Harding coach D.J. Dota said. "We have two opponents with good points in front of us, so we have to take care of business. We have Massillon coming to town, and they're a good point-getter."

Wallace was the difference. The senior ran for touchdowns covering 1, 10 and 63 yards, and he caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky.

"You watch us each week and we're getting better and better," Trivisonno said. "We're playing eight juniors on defense, and they're coming along. Colton is Colton. He's the best athlete we have. He's able to make plays, whether it's as a wideout or a quarterback."

The Cardinals defense did a good job of slowing down the Raiders' ground attack. Demond Hymes, who's been the focal point of Harding's offense, was held to 42 yards on 15 carries. The Raiders had just 75 rushing yards.

"We needed to run the ball better," Dota said. "They gave us fits because they put a lot of guys in the box."

The Cardinals scored first on a 1-yard run by Wallace. The Raiders responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Mikhail Seawood to Jayln Powell.

Mentor scored the next three touchdowns on Wallace's 10-yard run, the 63-yard pass play and his 63-yard run.

The Raiders finished the scoring on a 61-yard pass from Seawood to K'Von Williams with 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

'Mike Korecz rushed for 114 yards on 27 carries for the Cardinals, who had 226 yards on the ground.

Mentor hosts Shaker Heights in its next game.

MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — We could go on all night about Shaq Washington, DeVonte Ransom, Andre Stubbs and the Maple Heights offense. But as they showed in Friday night's 34-0 victory over a talented Shaw team, it is the Mustangs' defense that will make or break their goal of returning to the Division II state final.

Maple Heights' Dontell Kennedy almost sacks Shaw quarterback Robert Small on Friday at Stafford Stadium.



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(Lonnie Timmons III / PD)

MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — We could go on all night about Shaq Washington, DeVonte Ransom, Andre Stubbs and the Maple Heights offense.

But as they showed in Friday night's 34-0 victory over a talented Shaw team, it is the Mustangs' defense that will make or break their goal of returning to the Division II state final.

Guys named John Welcome, Dontell Kennedy, Claybourne Miller and O'Brea Williams are the foundation of a team that held Shaw to 97 yards total offense.

Some star on both sides of the ball, and none last night more than wide receiver/safety Dana Day. The senior transfer from Glenville caught three touchdown passes, and had a key interception and 51-yard return.

"There's no flaws in our defense," said Day, who had "Ville" and "Stangs" written in eyeblack under each eye. "It's just up to us. We work hard and prep hard. The only people that can stop us this year is us -- mentally and physically."

Maple Heights, ranked fourth in The Plain Dealer Top 25, improved to 7-0 and 2-0 in the Lake Erie League Erie Division. Shaw coach Rodney Brown, who anticipated a much better showing from his 21st-ranked Cardinals (4-3, 1-1), came away impressed.

"We were prepared, but our offense couldn't move on the ground, and that killed us," Brown said.

Maple Heights keyed on Shaw quarterback Robert Small, who was dropped for losses five times and had four pass completions go for negative yards.

"We came after him," said Miller, a defensive end who disrupted numerous plays. "We held nothing back. We knew he was shifty, and we concentrated on wrapping him up."

Shaw is fast. Maple is faster. The player who really caught Brown's eye was Maple Heights' 5-6 senior Stubbs, whose electrifying, 43-yard touchdown late in the first half put the Mustangs ahead, 20-0.

"I haven't seen speed like that," Brown said. "We're fast, but we didn't play fast tonight. That No. 4 [Stubbs], very few high schools have a guy that can keep up with him."

Maple Heights senior tailback Ransom had another big night, rushing for 189 yards and one touchdown. He has 1,334 yards and 17 TDs this season. Washington, in his third start after missing three games with a knee injury, completed 10 of 22 passes for 163 yards and the three TD strikes to Day, who caught six passes for 78 yards.

Day's first TD was the result of a controversial call that hung over the proceedings much of the first half.

On Maple's first drive, LeVon Perkins turned a simple inside slant into a 51-yard gain to the Shaw 15. Four plays later, Washington's two-yard pass into the end zone appeared to be intercepted by Shaw safety Jamel Hicks as Day reached for the ball. After they fell to the ground, a touchdown was signaled and the Mustangs were up, 7-0.

"Weight room," Day said, smiling. "I out muscled him and took it from him."

Ransom flashed his abundant speed on a 13-yard touchdown run around left end for a 14-0 lead with 3:12 left in the half.

Shaw drove deep and had was gaining momentum until Small's fourth-down pass was intercepted by Day and returned 51 yards to the Shaw 43 with 1:15 remaining. Stubbs zig-zagged through the Shaw defense after nearly falling in the backfield for a 20-0 halftime lead.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskeyplaind.com, 216-999-4661

Observers who had any doubts concerning Padua and its ability to win the big game, got plenty of answers Friday night. The Bruins (5-2) outscored host Elyria Catholic, 21-6, in the second half for a 41-23 North Coast League crossover-game win.

Observers who had any doubts concerning Padua and its ability to win the big game, got plenty of answers Friday night.

The Bruins (5-2) outscored host Elyria Catholic, 21-6, in the second half for a 41-23 North Coast League crossover-game win.

Padua got a 181-yard, 3-touchdown effort from Xavier Means while quarterback Jim Solano rushed for 70 yards and touchdown and also passed for 101 yards and a touchdown while making good on 6 of 12 attempts.

The previously unbeaten Panthers (6-1), ranked No. 11 in The Plain Dealer and first in the Division IV state poll, had quarterback Danny Reaser complete 27 of 48 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite receiver was Zach Rogers, who accounted for 10 catches, 180 yards and a touchdown.

Glenville 46, Lincoln West 0 The Tarblooders (7-0, 4-0), ranked No. 1 in the area and the Division I state poll, No. 4 in the ESPN/Rise Fab 50 and 11th in the USA Today Super 25 national polls, pitched its second Senate Athletic League shutout thanks to Antwan Crutcher's six tackles. Quarterback Cardale Jones completed 11 of 15 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to Da'Twane Harris. Harris finished with three receptions, good for 77 yards.

Solon 27, Brunswick 0 The undefeated Comets, ranked No. 2 in the area and eighth in the Division I state poll, found their rhythm in the second half of the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game. Solon (7-0, 2-0) expanded on its 7-0 halftime lead by scoring touchdowns on each of its first two possessions in the third quarter. Quarterback/defensive back Chris Humphrey was 9-of-12 passing for 104 yards and returned an 18-yard interception in the second quarter for the Comets' first score. Brunswick dropped to 4-3, 1-1.

St. Edward 62, Columbus St. Francis DeSales 0 The unbeaten Eagles (7-0), just keep flying over anyone who gets in their way. St. Edward, ranked No. 3 in the area and fourth in the Division I state poll, registered its second consecutive shutout, this time against the No. 7-ranked team in Division III as the trio of Reggie Terrell, Kevin Burke and Quincy Jones helped corral the Stallions (4-3). Burke completed 10 of 14 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, one going to Jones, who had three receptions for 68 yards and tacked on a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown. Terrell gained 145 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.

Lake Catholic 38, NDCL 0 Bryan Blondeaux completed 6 of 9 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns for the Cougars (6-1, 2-0), who are ranked No. 5 in the area and sixth in the Division II state poll. The team's standout running back Richie Sanders injured his leg midway through the second quarter. He walked off the field but did not return. Tommy Michals had two catches for 98 yards and two scores.

Twinsburg 49, Cuyahoga Falls 7 The John Barton/Aaron Macer duo proved unstoppable for Twinsburg (7-0, 2-0) in the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division romp. Barton rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown, and had 61 yards in receptions while Macer passed for 80 yards, ran for 43 yards and two touchdowns, and scored a 6-yard fumble recovery.

Aurora 50, Wickliffe 14 The 14th-ranked Greenmen (5-1, 4-0) kept its lead in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division by doing most of its damage through the air. Quarterback Blake Calcei made good on 10 of 13 passes for 22 yards and touchdown aerials of 20, 37 and 54 yards to Anthony Melchiori. Melchiori finished with six receptions for 146 yards.

Amherst 47, Midpark 20 The 17th-ranked Comets (7-0, 4-0) remained unbeaten behind quarterback Brennan Hosier, who lit it up by completing 20 of 40 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the Southwestern Conference victory. Tyler Parrish grabbed five passes for 142 yards and a touchdown, followed by Brad Block's six receptions, 113 yards and a touchdown and Jason Stump's five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Parma 17, Normandy 14 The 18th-ranked Redmen (6-1, 2-0) got all they could handle from their neighborhood rivals before a 27-yard field goal by Joe Glover with two seconds remaining decided the NOC Lake Division game. Quarterback Joe Pullman rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns while also passing for 139 yards with Dylan Kurtz cashing in four receptions for 65 yards.

Strongsville 28, Mayfield 0 The 19th-ranked Mustangs (5-2, 2-0) won their fifth straight game and earned their first shutout of the year to stay in the thick of the NOC Valley Division championship race. Quarterback Austin Pritchard was back at the controls, completing 10 of 16 passes for 160 yards and touchdown passes to three different receivers, including Iowa recruit Ray Hamilton, who had three receptions for 89 yards. Tailback Matt Bianco added 96 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

West Geauga 48, Orange 24 Joe Drenski had a huge game and the Wolverines shut down the host Lions in the second half during the CVC Chagrin Division homecoming game. Drenski rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yard run in the third quarter when the Wolverines (6-1, 3-1), ranked 22nd in the area and 13th in the Division II state poll, put the game away. Drenski also threw two touchdowns. Orange was led by Ryan Bitzer, who threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Julian Turner caught seven passes for 177 yards and a score.

Kenston 28, Perry 14 Kenston (5-2, 3-1) remained in the CVC Chagrin Division title race by defeating the Pirates (5-2, 2-2), who were ranked No. 23 in the area and 11th in the Division IV state poll.

Rhodes 32, John Marshall 6 The Rams (5-2, 3-2) got 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns out of LaKeith Walls and 105 yards on the ground and two touchdowns from Justin Sangster in the SAL win. Sangster also had a interception which stopped a Marshall drive late in the first half.

John Hay 27, Collinwood 21 The Hornets (5-2, 3-1) pulled out the SAL victory on Leonard Jackson's 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Jackson finished with 77 yards rushing with two touchdowns and passed for 86 yards. The 1-2 tailback tandem of Donald Cofield and Brandon Sipp teamed up for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Sipp also had 67 yards in receptions and a pair of interceptions.

Kirtland 42, Cardinal 0 The Hornets (7-0, 4-0), ranked No. 2 in the Division V state poll, kept their hold of first place in the CVC Valley Division thanks to quarterback Paul Guhde, who ran for 92 yards and a touchdown and passed for 229 yards and four touchdowns. Damon Washington was on the receiving end of two touchdowns, totaling 112 yards.

Independence 34, Hawken 14 The Blue Devils (6-1, 4-0) scored 21 unanswered points to put the finishing touches on the CVC Metro Division win. Quarterback Sam Stretar turned in another stellar effort, running for 143 yards and a touchdown, and also completed 10 of 13 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

Stow 41, Lakewood 0 The Bulldogs (2-5, 1-1) raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead and never looked back in the NOC River Division win. Tailback Duane Mitchell garnered 123 yards on the ground and three touchdowns while quarterback Mike Greenwell was 9-of-12 passing, good for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

Revere 14, Barberton 7 The Minutemen (2-5, 1-3) did all their scoring in the first quarter of the Suburban League victory. Joe D'Amico led the charge with 83 yards on the ground and a touchdown while quarterback Eric Smith completed 7 of 8 passes for 82 yards and he ran for the winning touchdown via a 2-yard scamper.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 34, Tuscarawas Valley 7 Senior Alex Utley ran for a school-record 398 yards on the ground and two touchdowns and also collected nine tackles, including four stops for a loss, as the Royals (4-3, 3-1) prevailed in the Principals Athletic Conference game. Nathan Rosenberger grinded out 119 yards rushing and two touchdowns as CVCA grabbed 571 yards of its 596 yards in total offense on the ground.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights 25, North Olmsted 22 Matt Galland gained 248 yards on 36 carries and scored three touchdowns when the Bees (5-2, 2-1) stung North Olmsted for the Southwestern Conference win. The Eagles has Marc Remy run for 143 yards.

John Adams 14, JFK 12 Rebels quarterback Tevin Griffin threw touchdown passes of 47 and 50 yards in the third quarter at Collinwood as John Adams moved to 2-5 overall, 2-2 in the SAL. Griffin, who was 11-of-20 passing for 181 yards, had his touchdown go to John Kyles and Errol Jamerson. JFK (4-3, 3-2) was led by quarterback Antonio Howard, who completed 17-of-24 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Howard also had a touchdown run of 18 yards.

Rocky River 53, Bay 34 Senior quarterback Robbie Plagens threw for five touchdowns and ran in another score during the Pirates' WSC road win. Plagens was 23 of 29 for 216 yards. Ben Hofecker ran for two touchdowns and had 149 yards rushing for Rocky River (4-3, 3-1). Bay's Nathan Baumgard returned the opening kickoff 87 yards for a score.

Holy Name 13, Archbishop Hoban 7 First-year Green Wave coach Mark Pinzone will remember his first North Coast League Blue Division victory for a while, as his team knocked off the area's No. 16 team. R.J. Frazier broke a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run for the Green Wave (4-3, 1-1). Hoban dropped to 3-4, 1-1.

VASJ 24, Trinity 17 The Vikings got 153 yards rushing from Clinton James, and defensive back Mike Brately had a 26-yard fumble recovery in the first quarter as the Vikings (3-4, 1-1) won the NCL White Division game.

North Royalton 29, Brush 21 Logan Pearce rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns to lead the winners in the NOC Lake Division game. The host Arcs, celebrating homecoming, trailed, 29-7, with 6:02 remaining in the fourth quarter. They got close following Kevin Houchins' 18-yard touchdown run with 3:26 left, and Pharoah Brown's 25-yard touchdown pass to Robert Johnson with less than 90 seconds to play. The Arcs attempted an onside kick, but North Royalton's Evan Adams recovered and the Bears (6-1, 2-0) ran out the clock for the win.

Garfield Heights 35, Valley Forge 7 James Bennett made his varsity starting debut under center a good one as the Garfield Heights (3-4, 1-1) sophomore completed 8 of 13 passes for 162 yards, including a pair of touchdowns to Lloyd Henry, in the NOC Lake Division win.

Madison 62, Chardon 39 Chardon couldn't overcome a 48-25 halftime deficit in the Premier Athletic Conference contest as Madison (4-3, 1-1) had tailback Josh March carry the ball 24 times, gain 324 yards and score six touchdowns.

University School 35, Geneva 20 Quarterback Tyler Eden passed for 149 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown as the Preppers (5-2) won the nonleague game. Tailback Kevin Smith helped open up the passing game by rushing for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Garrettsville Garfield 67, Woodridge 24 Quarterback Sabastian Neikirk completed 13 of 25 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns for the G-Men (5-2, 3-1) during the Portage Trail Conference County Division win. Bobby Bright was on the receiving end of six of those aerials for 171 yards and four touchdowns.

Southeast 35, Coventry 7 Running backs Damian Pennington and Sean Stone combined to gain 109 yards and five touchdowns for the Pirates (3-4, 2-2) during the PTC Metro Division trouncing.

Right winger Matt Ford wins it for the Monsters with a quick shot from the slot at in the third period.

View full sizeGus Chan / The Plain DealerMonsters winger Matt Ford, center, celebrates Justin Mercier's second-period goal Friday night at The Q. To help the AHL celebrate its 75th anniversary, the Monsters wore throwback jerseys of the Barons.

"I told the guys that if we were fast and physical, everything else would take care of itself," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "And I liked our mental toughness and attitude. We didn't get too high or too low."

Right winger Matt Ford won it with a quick shot from the slot at 17:02 of the third period. Ford gathered the puck, turned and zipped it past Crunch goalie Timo Pielmeier.

"I wasn't trying for a corner; I just wanted to get it on net," Ford said.

Just when the Monsters get their fans excited, they are forced to hit the road. They begin a seven-game trip in Syracuse, N.Y., tonight.

"It's an opportunity for guys to bond a little bit and create some team unity," Quinn said.

The Monsters outshot Syracuse, 38-15. They held the Crunch to seven shots over the final two periods.

"It was a total team effort on defense," captain and defenseman David Liffiton said. "We were hungry on the puck."

The Monsters dominated the second period, overwhelming the Crunch with their work rate. They gave up an early goal to fall behind, 2-0, but rallied to tie.

"Midway through the second, the puck popped loose from a scrum in front of the Syracuse net. Ford dropped it off to left winger Justin Mercier, who went upstairs from the right circle.

Monsters center Julian Talbot made it 2-2 less than 90 seconds later. Talbot turned and fired from the edge of the left circle, the primary assist going to Ryan Stoa.

With two minutes remaining in the second, Talbot gained possession on the right side and swooped in alone against Pielmeier. Pielmeier blocked the shot.

Talbot was acquired from St. Louis over the summer for T.J. Hensick. Talbot had 17 goals and 15 assists in 76 games last season for the AHL's Peoria Rivermen.

Syracuse led, 1-0, after an action-packed first period. Punches were exchanged between players on three occasions.

At 9:59, Syracuse center Trevor Smith received a pass from Maxime Macenauer and beat goalie Jason Bacashihua from the slot. Macenauer had slipped free along the left boards.

Quinn opted to start Bacashihua over John Grahame. Bacashihua was with the Monsters for parts of their first two seasons, then played for Hershey last season.

Monsters enforcer Patrick Bordeleau crushed the Crunch's Nick Bonino near center ice with five minutes left in the period. Seconds later, Bordeleau fought Mat Clark. The crowd went wild.

The AHL began its 75th season. Players from Cleveland and Syracuse, two of the league's senior-most cities, wore snazzy throwback jerseys: The Monsters were the Barons and the Crunch was the Stars.

As part of the season-opening festivities in Cleveland, the Calder Cup that was retired in 2001 was in the building.

All eyes will be on Terrelle Pryor early in the game as Buckeyes fans wait to see if he's really recovered from a strained quadriceps.

View full sizeSeth Perlman / Associated PressThe Buckeyes say quarterback Terrelle Pryor is close to 100 percent healthy after suffering a quadriceps strain last week, but no one will really know until he's in action today.

There are three levels of quad strains that describe the severity of the injury. The Buckeyes didn't say how bad Pryor's was, though the fact that he returned last week, even though he was limited, was a good sign. Still, these injuries don't always magically disappear.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria sat out the final 10 games of the regular season while being careful to recover from a quad strain. Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber missed a game last season with a quad strain. Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, the player to whom Pryor is most often compared, left a game in 2007 with a quad strain and sat out the next week as well.

As always, there's a difference between practice and games, so it needs to be seen how Pryor holds up when he accelerates for the first time, or if there's any effect when he pushes off his plant leg to fire a pass. Watch if Indiana defends Ohio State any differently, whether a linebacker hangs around to keep an eye on Pryor or if the Hoosiers aren't quite as worried about his running.

Then, watch for the rope-a-dope. Maybe Ohio State wants Indiana to slack off on defending Pryor as a runner and then have him take off.

"It's a lot more dangerous if you plan that he's going to stay in the pocket and then he doesn't," OSU defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "That's the worst thing that can ever happen -- you're going against a mobile quarterback and you didn't think he was a mobile quarterback. . . . If you come in and think he'll stay in the pocket and he's running all over the place, that's a million times harder."

2. Is Ohio State's offensive line angry?

After the Eastern Michigan win, OSU center Mike Brewster said the offensive linemen had been grading out so well, the coaches had to raise the standard for what it meant to have a winning performance. Then last week against Illinois, the line was so off that fullback Zach Boren was named the Buckeyes' offensive lineman of the week.

"That's interesting," said OSU left guard Justin Boren, his brother. "I'm like, 'Zach, that must mean all they care about you for is as a blocker.' He always dreams about getting the ball. If you're getting the offensive lineman of the week award, you're not getting the ball."

The offensive linemen were upset with how they played last week. Will they play like they want to make up for it?

3. Indiana's pistol

It's not new to the Buckeyes, with the Hoosiers using the pistol formation last season when Ohio State beat Indiana, 33-14. The shortened shotgun, with a running back lining up behind quarterback Ben Chappell, was borrowed from Nevada. You'll remember Ohio State experimenting with it briefly with Beanie Wells in 2008.

The Hoosiers don't run that well out of it, ranking last in the Big Ten at 107 yards per game and second to last at 3.6 yards per carry. There's another formation to watch -- receiver Tandon Doss taking a direct snap as the quarterback in a wildcat formation.

4. Denard Robinson

We know the Michigan quarterback isn't in this game, but keep the TV on to watch Michigan State-Michigan on WEWS Channel 5 at 3:30 p.m. Jim Tressel will be rooting for his good friend, MSU coach Mark Dantonio. But for Ohio State's strength of schedule, a Michigan win actually would help more, since the Buckeyes play the Wolverines later in the season but don't play the Spartans. Studying Indiana's defense, Tressel watched film of the Hoosiers' loss to Michigan last week and caught his first glance of Robinson this season.

"If he gets a sliver, he's gone," Tressel said. "He's a good player, and he can change the field real fast."

It's never too early in the season to keep an eye on Michigan.

Former Cavs coach Mike Brown is coaching football now and enjoying some bonus time with his wife Carolyn and two sons.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III / The Plain DealerFormer Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is still patrolling the sidelines, but now it's as an assistant with his son's eighth-grade football team in Westlake.

But the former Cavaliers coach who was fired last spring hasn't given up coaching altogether.

He has taken his talents to the football field, serving as a volunteer assistant for his son Cameron's eighth-grade team at Lee Burneson Middle School in Westlake.

"I have to be the highest-paid film guy for any eighth-grade football team in the country," Brown said with a laugh last week. He is still collecting about $2 million from the Cavs.

While the coach admitted he got anxious as the opening of training camp neared, he really has not been following his former team, although he has been in contact with new GM Chris Grant, a longtime friend and former teammate at the University of San Diego.

But their conversations tend to be personal instead of professional, more likely about family than basketball.

Brown also isn't ready to talk about LeBron James yet. All he will say about his time with the Cavs is: "I had a great five years here. Everybody wants the whole kit and caboodle. But it is what it is. I feel fortunate I had an opportunity."

Although he'd like to get back into the NBA and might do some television work this season, his dismissal gave him some midcareer bonus time with his family, and he's taking full advantage of it. He starts every day by driving older son Elijah to St. Edward High School, where he's a sophomore on the basketball team. The two work out in the school gym for at least an hour most mornings, then Elijah heads to class while Mike hangs out in the athletic department office or the bookstore.

Brown will return to his home in Westlake, and he and his wife Carolyn either will head out for a walk or go out for breakfast or lunch until its time for football practice, which has been something of a revelation for Brown. He did play high school football while growing up in a military family stationed in Germany, and he coached Elijah's first-grade flag football team in San Antonio. Sort of.

"I remember all my responsibilities clearly," Brown said. "I was the defensive coordinator, so I told all the kids to go get the flag. I also taught all the kids how to chest bump. Our team was called the Dogs. Before every game and after every game I led our cheer. I'd go, 'Who let the dogs out?' And all the parents and all the kids would go, 'Woof, woof, woof, woof.' We'd say it three times. That was the extent of my responsibilities."

View full sizePDFormer Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, right, is willing to do the grunt work for his son's team, carrying some water bottles while walking with some assistant coaches.

This has been a little different.

"When I went out there the first day, the language was a lot different than what I was used to," Brown said. "They'd say, '87 jet left.' My son played on the line, and they were teaching him all this technique that was way over my head.

"So early on, I knew what my role was going to be for this team. I was the guy who got water for the kids and collected bags.

"It has been a great experience. I've had some experiences that I'll never forget. It has been fun. I've gotten a lot of joy out of it and learned a lot."

Mike Bee, head coach of the Lee Burneson team, enjoyed it, too.

"We love having him around," Bee said. "He has so much positive energy. It's funny to watch kids go through the line shaking hands after a game. After he shakes their hand, they're like, 'That's Mike Brown.' "

Cameron, who plays offensive left tackle and defensive tackle, was voted the best lineman for his age (13) during a summer camp in Florida. He was invited to play in a bowl game Jan. 1 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. That will mean a cross-country flight for the Browns, who will be with St. Edward in San Diego for a basketball tournament after Christmas.

But Brown doesn't mind. He knows a lot of coaches never get this chance.

"When I talked to Carolyn about this, I told her if it worked out that I was not coaching this year, I told her I was going to take full advantage of it," he said. "If I had gotten another job and we went on a nice run, both of my kids would be out of high school and I wouldn't have had this opportunity to spend time with them and my wife.

"It has been refreshing. It has been enjoyable. I have two wonderful boys and a wonderful wife. They have made this transition for me very easy and extremely enjoyable. Because of them, I'm in a good place."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

The state up north has its two Big Ten schools meeting today as No. 17 Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor to take on No. 18 Michigan.

View full sizeAPMichigan quarterback Denard Robinson.

Top 25

No. 1 Alabama (5-0) at No. 19 South Carolina (3-1), 3:30, WOIO Channel 19

No. 3 Oregon (5-0) at Washington State (1-4), 5 p.m.

No. 4 Boise State (4-0) vs. Toledo (3-2), 8, SportsTime Ohio

No. 5 TCU (5-0) vs. Wyoming (2-3), 3:30 p.m.

No. 8 Auburn (5-0) at Kentucky (3-2), 7:30, ESPN2

No. 9 Arizona (4-0) vs. Oregon State (2-2), 7, Versus

No. 10 Utah (4-0) at Iowa State (3-2), 8 p.m.

No. 11 Arkansas (3-1) vs. Texas A&M (3-1) at Arlington, Texas, 3:30 p.m.

No. 12 LSU (5-0) at No. 14 Florida (4-1), 7:30, ESPN

No. 13 Miami (3-1) vs. No. 23 Florida State (4-1), 8, WEWS Channel 5

No. 16 Stanford (4-1) vs. Southern Cal (4-1), 8 p.m.

No. 21 Nevada (5-0) vs. San Jose State (1-4), 10:30 p.m., ESPNU

No. 24 Missouri (4-0) vs. Colorado (3-1), 7 p.m.

No. 25 Air Force (4-1) vs. Colorado State (1-4), 2 p.m.

Big Ten Conference

No. 2 Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (3-1, 0-1), noon, ESPN: A victory would give Jim Tressel a 100-21 record in his 10 years at Ohio State, making him the 13th Big Ten coach to win 100 games at a conference school.

No. 17 Michigan State (5-0, 1-0) at No. 18 Michigan (5-0, 1-0), 3:30, WEWS Channel 5: The winner of this game for the Paul Bunyan Trophy will stay tied for the Big Ten lead and become bowl-eligible.

No. 20 Wisconsin (4-1, 0-1) vs. Minnesota (1-4, 0-1), noon, Big Ten Network: The Badgers are 13th in the country and second in the Big Ten in rushing offense, at 239.0 ypg.

Illinois (2-2, 0-1) at Penn State (3-2, 0-1), noon, ESPN2: PSU's offense ranks eighth in the Big Ten in passing (217.0), 10th in rushing (138.2), 10th in total yards (355.2) and 11th in scoring (19.2).

Purdue (2-2, 0-0) at Northwestern (5-0, 1-0), 7:30, BTN: Injuries have hurt the Boilers offensively and thrust redshirt freshman Rob Henry into the spotlight at QB.

Mid-American Conference

Akron (0-5, 0-1 MAC) at Kent State (1-3, 0-1), 3:30, SportsTime Ohio: KSU's defense is ranked No. 1 in the nation vs. the run (59.0 ypg) and has allowed just one team (Penn State) to rush for more than 100 yards.

Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1) at Ohio (2-3, 1-4), 2: BG awaits a game-time decision on the return of starting QB Matt Schilz (shoulder), who has missed the past two games.

Central Michigan (2-3, 1-2) at Virginia Tech (3-2), noon, ESPNU: CMU ranks 12th nationally with 1,454 passing yards this season.

Miami (3-2, 2-0) at Cincinnati (1-3), 7: Miami is 11th in the nation in time of possession, averaging 33:27 per game.

Temple (4-1, 1-0) at N. Illinois (3-2, 1-0), noon, WEWS Channel 5: Balanced Owls have 842 rushing yards and 710 passing yards this season.

Vanderbilt (1-3) vs. E. Michigan (0-5, 0-3), 7, ESPNU: EMU's defense has yielded 1,295 yards on the ground, the second-most in the FBS.

W. Michigan (1-3, 0-1) at Ball State (2-3, 1-0), noon: BSU is giving up an average of 393 yards per game, 86th-worst in the nation.

Division II

Lake Erie (0-5, 0-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) vs. Wayne State (4-1, 3-1), 7: This will be the second home night game in LEC history and will include a free fireworks show.

Notre Dame College (2-4) at St. Joseph's (Ind.) (2-3), 1: St. Joseph's has outscored its opponents, 108-29, in the past two games, both wins.

Division III

Baldwin-Wallace (4-0, 3-0 Ohio Athletic Conference) vs. Otterbein (3-1, 2-1), 2, STO (tape delayed until 11 p.m. today): The game is homecoming for Baldwin-Wallace, which is trying to keep pace in the OAC with second-ranked Mount Union.

Case Western Reserve (4-0) at Oberlin (2-2), 1: The Spartans have won 35 consecutive regular-season games and have outscored their opponents, 42-0, in the first quarter this season.

Hiram (1-4, 1-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) at Wittenberg (5-0, 3-0), 1: Hiram's Glenn Campbell (Buchtel) caught 13 passes for 220 yards and scored three touchdowns in last week's 62-31 loss to Carnegie Mellon.

John Carroll (1-3, 1-2 OAC) vs. Wilmington (0-4, 0-3), 1:30: This series has not seen a road team claim victory since 2005.

No. 2 Mount Union (4-0, 3-0 OAC) at Marietta (1-3, 0-2), 1:30: Mount is playing its fourth road game in five weeks.

-- Compiled from staff, wire reports

The struggling Mid-American Conference rivals meet today at Dix Stadium.

View full sizeMike Cardew / Akron Beacon JournalAkron's Alex Allen is averaging more than 5 yards per carry.

When: 3:30 p.m. today, Dix Stadium, Kent.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WARF AM/1350, WHK AM/1420, WNIR FM/100.1.

Records: Akron 0-5, 0-1 Mid-American Conference. Kent State 1-3, 0-1.

Akron offense vs. Kent State defense

Zips offense: Not much has been generated offensively by Akron, as it averages just 16.8 points and 263.8 yards per game. The ground game has shown glimpses of potential. While tailback Alex Allen has only gained 337 yards on the season, he is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and has scored five TDs. His backup, Nate Burney, has gained 272 yards on the season and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. QB Patrick Nicely (Willoughby South) has completed just 46.1 percent of his passes, but part of that number reflects on an underachieving receiving crew. Nicely has thrown only two interceptions.

Golden Flashes defense: The numbers speak for themselves: KSU is the No. 1 defensive team in the nation against the run, allowing 59.0 yards per game, and is No. 27 in total defense, allowing 306.5 yards per game. Kent also has 10 sacks, despite being without injured sack-master Monte Simmons, who has missed all but one game. He will return against the Zips. Kent has given up 30 of its 87 points in the fourth quarter, indicating a wilt factor down the stretch.

Kent State offense vs. Akron defense

Golden Flashes offense: Sporadic defines this unit, which has averaged 18.8 ppg and is last in the league in first downs (57) by a wide margin. Kent scored 41 points vs. Murray State and was shut out by Penn State. A run game that was supposed to be a team staple generates just 82.8 yards per contest, in part because of the injury to senior running back Eugene Jarvis (groin). Since the opener, QB Spencer Keith has seven interceptions to go with one TD pass. Offensive line play has improved during the season but has yet to deliver a breakout performance.

Zips defense: This defense has had issues almost from the outset, as its average of 462.4 yards allowed per game will attest. Teams have been able to run on Akron, averaging 181.0 yards per game, and have passed for an average of 281.4 yards per game. The fewest points allowed by Akron after five games is 29 to Syracuse in the opener. It has been 35 points or more since. In five games, the Zips have seven sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Linebackers Mike Thomas and Brian Wagner are loading up on the tackles with 48 each.

Zips win if: They can force turnovers, then convert them into points; they also need to control the clock with first downs and wear out Kent's defense in the fourth quarter.

Flashes win if: They can put some early points on the board, defensively limit Akron to three-and-outs and close the game on the ground at the end.

Alexander's prediction: KSU, 27-10.

The loss by No. 1 Alabama removed any slim chance that the Buckeyes could be left out of the national championship game with an undefeated record.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerIt seemed like all the Buckeyes were leaps and bounds better than the overmatched Hoosiers on Saturday -- especially fullback Zach Boren on this athletic move over a surprised Adrian Burks in the first quarter.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A quick look at Ohio State's report card after Saturday's victory.

A -- Ohio State's national title game hopes

The loss by No. 1 Alabama removed any slim chance that the Buckeyes could be left out of the national championship game with an undefeated record, which some had theorized could have been a possibility if Alabama and Boise State had also finished undefeated.

The Buckeyes were No. 2 in both polls entering the weekend, with a 22-point lead over No. 3 Oregon in the AP poll and a 77-point lead on the Ducks in the coaches poll, which counts in the BCS standings. Oregon beat 1-5 Washington State, 43-23, which wasn't the kind of win that should jump Oregon over the Buckeyes. Also, Illinois' sound beating of Penn State made the Buckeyes' tough win at Illinois last week look a little better.

While several Buckeyes actually wrote messages on Twitter after Alabama's loss that they did not want to be ranked No. 1, tight end Jake Stonebuner and receiver DeVier Posey seemed to embrace the likelihood.

"Well. We're ready for it!! This [is] what we came here for," wrote Stoneburner.

That No. 1 ranking will only be in the polls for now. The first BCS standings won't be released until next weekend, on Oct. 17.

B+ -- Ohio State's protection of Terrelle Pryor

The Ohio State coaches didn't want Indiana to know if Terrelle Pryor was hindered by his strained left quad, so they played up his recovery this week.

"Indiana didn't know I couldn't run, probably," Pryor said.

Though the OSU offensive line wasn't perfect -- Pryor did get bent backwards a bit on one of the three sacks he took -- the protection was enough to get Pryor through the game without making his injury worse.

"We always know when they get a shot on him, they're going to try to take him out," OSU center Mike Brewster said of opposing defenses. "He said he was sore, but 'forget it, I'm going to play.' We definitely know we need to protect him as well as we can."

B -- Ohio State backup right tackle Andrew Norwell

The true freshman replaced starter J.B. Shugarts in the second quarter and held his own after Shugarts came out after halftime limping and wearing warmup pants and no pads.

"I know what it's like to be a freshman out there with your head spinning a little bit, Brewster said. "He's got the ability and it comes down to knowing assignments. He stepped up today."

It seems like Norwell shouldn't have to be a long-term answer. OSU coach Jim Tressel said Shugarts has been battling a foot problem for three years that flared up this week in practice, so the coaches decided to take him out early.

"We didn't want it to get to the point where it was going to be something that he'd be out," Tressel said. "We have a lot of confidence in Andrew Norwell."

Remember, Norwell is a second-teamer because sophomore Marcus Hall, who was expected to be the No. 2 right tackle, is red-shirting this season because of academic issues.

D -- The Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana came in with the No. 4 passing offense in the country and seemed to some like a team that could give the Buckeyes some problems. It never happened. The Hoosiers, now 3-2, did themselves no favors by trying to run the ball too much, despite top running back Darius Willis sitting out the game with an injury. Willis had 278 of Indiana's 427 rushing yards in their first four games.

On 26 first-down plays, Indiana gained more than three yards on just six snaps. Indiana tried to run on 19 of those plays, gaining 49 total yards -- 28 on two plays. So the other 17 first-down runs by Indiana gained 21 yards, just over one yard per play. The Hoosiers dug themselves a hole on almost every series.

"We were just looking for a way to get a first down," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "We've been fortunate so far this year in that we've been able to go into a game and find our rhythm, so that shows just how good Ohio State is. We didn't come in thinking we would be able to move the ball all over the place.

"We played a great team out there today and we knew that coming in. Through all our study this season, we knew this team was special and they've got a bright future ahead of them."

Big plays by the Golden Flash defense sealed the Wagon Wheel trophy for Kent State.

Paul Tople / Akron Beacon-JournalKent State’s Chris Anzevino grabs the Wagon Wheel trophy the Golden Flashes earned for defeating the Zips on Saturday in Kent.

KENT, Ohio -- Kent State's offense is arguably getting worse by the snap.

But if the defense cleans up its act, there is still a ghost of a chance the Golden Flashes can have a winning season. Despite six personal fouls, and 13 penalties for 125 yards -- Kent's defense stood tall on Saturday.

KSU offset its over-aggressiveness with seven sacks, a pass interception for a touchdown, a forced fumble in the end zone recovered for a touchdown and a pair of late interceptions to lock up a 28-17 victory over Akron on Saturday in front of 24,221 -- the third-largest crowd in Kent's Dix Stadium history.

Kent State (2-3, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) was in jeopardy of losing this one late into the fourth quarter as its offense continued to labor. But a defense quietly led by freshman defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix came up with big plays when Kent needed them.

No play was bigger than Nix's forced fumble while pressuring Akron QB Patrick Nicely in the end zone with 3:08 to play. It was recovered for a touchdown by linebacker Luke Batton for the cushion the Golden Flashes needed against the Zips (0-6, 0-2).

Nix, from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, finished with five tackles, 31/2 sacks for 30 yards and a forced fumble. His season totals now read: 19 tackles (10 for 75 lost yards), 61/2 sacks, five quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. At 6-0, 255 pounds, he is not the prototype size for a tackle, but he has a giant amount of ability.

"I've had a couple of Big Ten head coaches call me and ask if they missed on recruiting him," Kent defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis said last week. "I tell them no, because if they had got him, we wouldn't have him."

Nix's sack with six seconds to go in the opening half forced Akron to call a timeout and kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown. He was a dominant force throughout.

"Rivalry games are won by players, not coaches -- that's what I told our guys," Kent State coach Doug Martin said.

Akron had chances, dominating the time of possession -- 32:47 to 27:13 -- and running well, going for 143 yards on Kent's top-ranked ground defense. But the sacks sliced that number back to a net of 63 yards, and the final tally of three interceptions and three fumbles, two for lost yardage, kept the Zips winless on the season. Nix was key to it all.

"He had a heck of a game," Akron coach Rob Ianello said.

On Akron's second possession, the Zips gouged Kent State's rush defense for 56 yards in an 89-yard scoring drive and took full advantage of a 15-yard KSU personal foul to take a 7-0 lead. Then Kent's defense atoned for its earlier failure.

Defensive back Luke Wollet picked off an Akron pass and returned it for a 15-yard touchdown to tie it, 7-7. The Golden Flashes took a 14-7 lead with 8:39 to play in the half with a short Spencer Keith toss into the corner to Tyshon Goode for a score.

On Kent's next possession, the Flashes put together their longest drive of the season. Aided by an Akron penalty, Kent went 90 yards in 12 plays, getting 33 yards in the air and another 43 on the ground. A six-yard inside run by Jacquise Terry for a score gave Kent a 21-7 lead with 2:06 to go.

Akron countered with a crisp two-minute offense that had TD written all over it until Nix sacked Nicely and forced a 41-yard Igor Iveljic field goal.

The game still looked to be in Kent's control, but the Golden Flashes kept hurting themselves. In the third quarter, a 75-yard touchdown drive by the Zips was aided by a pair of third-down personal fouls -- one on third-and-24. A fake field goal with holder/receiver Jeremy LaFrance running in for a 10-yard touchdown cut Kent's lead to 21-17.

Akron had several more chances before Nix forced the late fumble which led to a TD.

The creative college improvises because of a scheduling quirk after switching leagues. Instead it stages a homecoming cricket match, and Wooster cries "Jolly good!"

WOOSTER, Ohio -- The ritual bonfire blazed Friday night. The band led a parade up Beall Avenue on Saturday, when bagpipers serenaded a campus that still celebrates its Scottish roots.

About the only tradition missing from homecoming weekend at the College of Wooster was kickoff.

Lacking an opponent for its football team Saturday, the creative college improvised. It staged a homecoming cricket match, and Wooster cried, "Jolly good!"

Really.

Admissions director Scott Friedhoff primed the crowd at John P. Papp Stadium before the match. He had them practice polite clapping and British cheers.

He also drew an ovation when he announced that the assembly of 725 was, quite possibly, some kind of record for a cricket match on an American college campus.

For alumni and friends of Wooster, it was just another adventuresome homecoming at a school that prizes its peculiarities.

Homecoming this year at Wooster, a tradition-rich college of 2,000 about 50 miles southwest of Cleveland, loomed with a gaping hole in the norm. The opponent of the Fighting Scots' football team, Earlham College of Indiana, had left the conference last year and a replacement could not be found for the Big Game.

"We've had to make some adjustments," alumni director Heidi McCormick said stoically.

A pair of afternoon soccer games were on the schedule, and a Scottish celebration was planned for Saturday night. But what to do in place of three hours of football?

School President Grant Cornwell suggested the solution. A cricket fan, he was aware that Wooster's cricket team -- while only a club squad -- was better than most.

The team had been invited to the national championship tournament last year, where it was recognized as the nation's most international collegiate team.

View full sizePDFighting Scots bagpipers Erika Takeo, left, and Rebecka Walrath play "Scotland The Brave" as they escort the college's club cricket team and their opponent, the Wooster Community Cricket team, during pregame of their homecoming game.

Cornwell pitched the idea of a homecoming cricket match to team captain Maaz Khan, a senior from Pakistan, and earned the first "Bravo!"

Prasanna Gurumurthy, a Wooster business executive from India, put together the opponent, an eager team from the city's international community.

By the 4:30 p.m. game time, the crowd was in a curious and festive mood. They had already witnessed a performance by the College of Wooster Pipe Band and Highland Dancers on the field hockey green, where tartan and plaid kilts glowed in the autumn sun.

Now, filing into the modern football stadium, spectators were handed a Cricket 101 flier that included sections like, "Occasions When Applause Is Suggested."

"Oh, I think it's awesome," said Skye Gillispie, class of 2009, a Wooster native who flew up from South Carolina to join her family at homecoming. "I mean, I don't know anything about cricket, but it's good to learn new things."

"Totally cool," said Chester Andrews, class of 1985, who sat with a poodle in his lap. He had dragged his wife, Debbie, to yet another homecoming, and this was one homecoming game she was excited to see.

"What a great idea," she said. "I mean, it's different."

She said she was charmed to learn that it's cricket to cheer for whoever makes a splendid play, no matter whom they play for.

But what, in cricket, is splendid?

"It's a game that seems to require patience from the crowd," observed Don Stavnezer, a Wooster therapist and an adjunct professor, as the row of young people behind him got up to leave.

Fifteen minutes after Friedhoff announced a record attendance, just as many people were filing out of the stadium as filing in.

But then, the sun was still shining, somewhere bagpipes were wailing, and other homecoming traditions beckoned -- perhaps as a new one was taking root.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: rsmith@plaind.com, 216-999-4024

The Yellow Jackets returns two kicks for touchdowns and the Cardinals had another, as placing the ball on the tee signaled a big play on the horizon.

Norm Weber

Special to The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- It was not a good idea to miss the kickoffs in Baldwin-Wallace's 35-34 win over Otterbein on Saturday.

With the Yellow Jackets returning two kicks for touchdowns and the Cardinals taking one kick all the way back at Tressel Field in George Finnie Stadium, placing the ball on the tee signaled a scoring opportunity for the receiving team.

In an Ohio Athletic Conference game filled with big plays, the last big play came with 2:02 left when B-W's Ryan O'Rourke hit Tim Miker with a 23-yard scoring pass.

The Parma native's score made it 34-34, which prompted Otterbein to burn one of its two remaining timeouts in attempt to ice kicker Brad Pollock from Brecksville. It didn't rattle him as he made the deciding point-after.

The return-fest started early. With B-W leading, 7-6, in the second quarter after an Otterbein TD, St. Ignatius grad Kevin Johnson returned the kickoff 94 yards for a score, tying the school mark for longest kick return for a TD, set by B-W Hall of Famer Larry Mills 31 years ago.

"Our goal every game is to return a kick all the way," said Johnson.

"I got a few good blocks and saw some light up the sidelines and went for it. My reason for going to school here was to become a part of a big turnaround. This is just the beginning."

After finishing 3-7 last year, B-W is 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the OAC, tied for first with Mount Union, while Otterbein fell to 3-2.

On the ensuing kickoff, Otterbein did the copycat act when Dom Jones returned the kick 81 yards for a score.

The Cardinals had a brief lead of 20-14 four minutes later -- brief as in 13 seconds of clock time as Midview High product Josiah Holt answered with a 90-yard TD return, making it 21-20 with 10:34 to go in the half.

"Kevin and I don't really compete on kickoff returns, but we help out each other," said Holt, also a freshman. "We changed sides on that kick, and it went to me. Kevin gave me a great block, a couple other guys did and I just turned on the jets. My mom went to school here, and I knew a long time ago I wanted to come here and be part of a winning program, even if it meant a turnaround."

B-W's fourth TD was also on a runback. Matt Bowen intercepted an Austin Schlosser pass and returned it 88 yards, making it 28-20 midway through the second quarter. The 88-yard return is two yards shy of the B-W record for longest interception return for a TD.

B-W scored first when O'Rourke, an Avon High grad, threw 20 yards to Josh Oswald early in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets clung to a 28-27 lead at the half.

Otterbein led for most of the second half after an early third-quarter TD. The final score came on a 90-yard drive, with B-W shuffling in three running backs -- John McGraw (North Ridgeville), Kyrell Crook and Miker.

"I think the only people who thought at the start of the season we would be 5-0 at this point of the season are the guys within the walls of that locker room," said O'Rourke.

B-W is 5-0 for the first time since 2004.

Norm Weber is a freelance writer in Lakewood.

The Falcons surround quarterback Matt Ryan with fine receivers and running backs and a solid line. Also, the challenge for the Browns DBs; Phil Dawson, Peyton Hillis and more.

Associated PressQuarterback Matt Ryan directs a productive Falcons offense.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are 1-3, despite having led in the fourth quarter of all four games.

For the Browns to be ahead during the fourth quarter of Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons, the Cleveland defense must prevent a dynamic offense from controlling the game.

Atlanta features playmakers such as quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Roddy White, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling. All playing behind a strong offensive line.

Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository analyzes the Falcons. He writes, referring to first-year Browns linebacker and former New Orleans Saint Scott Fujita:

Fujita was sold on Matt Ryan when the latter was a rookie No. 1 overall draft pick in 2008. After Ryan beat Fujita’s Saints, 34-20, Fujita recalls thinking, “It’s too early to compare him to Peyton Manning, but there are a lot of similarities.” Ryan hasn’t hit it as big as that endorsement would indicate. His passer rating was 87.7 as a rookie, fell to 80.9 in 2009 and is 86.5 through four 2010 games. The man keeps the chains moving, though. The Falcons rank sixth in the league with 378.3 yards a game.

Browns watch 

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story on linebacker Matt Roth, accompanied by Tony Grossi's four things to watch for in the Browns-Falcons game; Grossi's NFL Insider; Cabot's story on Falcons receiver Roddy White; her story on Browns placekicker Phil Dawson approaching Lou Groza's team field goal record; Bill Livingston's column on the Browns facing top quarterbacks.

Stop Roddy

The Browns secondary has been erratic at best this season, unable to contain standout wide receivers. Don Delco of the Orange and Brown Report on cleveland.com writes about the next challenge for the Browns DB's: the Falcons' Roddy White:

Roddy White is the Falcons No. 1 wide receiver. The Browns have had issues covering those wide receivers in their last two games … if you haven’t heard.

In the last two weeks, Baltimore’s Anquan Boldin and Cincinnati’s Terrell Owens combined for 18 catches for 364 yards and four touchdowns. It doesn’t get easier this week. White is sixth in the NFL with 362 yards receiving.

“(White) does a nice job at the line of scrimmage of getting the defensive back to move, which creates some opportunities on deep balls like fades,” Mangini said. “There have been some balls, that really were going to be contested balls down the field, that he goes up and gets.”

On the run

The bruising running of Peyton Hillis has been an early-season highlight for the Browns. Hillis' play, in fact, is earning national attention.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com details 10 storylines around the NFL, including:

When Peyton Hillis played at Arkansas, he shared the backfield with more heralded running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. But this season, Hillis has been every bit their equal and then some. Hillis has become the first Cleveland Browns running back since Greg Pruitt in 1975 to score a rushing touchdown in four straight games. One NFL executive said that Hillis is running like a 2010 version of former Buccaneers standout fullback Mike Alstott. Those who have played against him have been even more generous in their praise. Before Hillis played the Ravens, Baltimore's defenders said they had never heard of him. But after the game, Ravens defenders told each other that they will be voting for Hillis for this season's Pro Bowl.

Draw plays

Stories on Browns placekicker Phil Dawson by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal, and by Nate Ulrich for the Akron Beacon Journal.

A mention of Peyton Hillis in John P. Lopez's Inside the NFL for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

The Falcons, like the Browns, have played some tense games, by Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Browns notes, including the defensive backs' challenge in trying to stop Falcons receiver Roddy White, by Matt Florjancic for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com.

The Weekend mailbag, included in James Walker's AFC North Blog for ESPN.com, includes readers' questions and comments about the Browns.

Some keys to the Browns-Falcons game, by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

A story on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi - who played at the University of Georgia - by Pierce W. Huff of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The best and worst of another long season, broken down by Dennis Manoloff.

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerFausto Carmona was, by the numbers, the most effective pitcher the Indians utilized throughout the 2010 season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is a look at some of the numbers that shaped the Indians' 2010 season:

1,391,644: Home attendance (80 dates).

2,365,631: Road attendance (81 dates).

.426: Winning percentage overall (69-93).

.778: Winning percentage in final nine games (7-2).

4: Improvement in victories from last season.

46.5: Combined games finished behind AL Central Minnesota Twins the past two seasons.

13: Team-leading victories by Fausto Carmona.

14: Team-leading losses by Fausto Carmona.

2: Pitchers with double-digit victories (Mitch Talbot, 10).

6: Consecutive starts lost by Carmona from early August until early September.

60: Combined home runs by top four in that category (Shin-Soo Choo, 22; Jayson Nix, 13 (with Cleveland); Travis Hafner, 13; Matt LaPorta, 12).

54: Homers by MLB leader Jose Bautista of Toronto.

12: Consecutive starts of at least five innings by Josh Tomlin since promotion from Class AAA Columbus (July 27) until last start of season (Sept. 29). It tied Steve Dunning from 1970 with the longest such streak to begin an Indians career since 1920.

0: Players named Josh Tomlin who were on Indians' 40-man roster on July 26.

24: Players who appeared in at least one game with Class AAA Columbus (excludes rehab assignments).

10: Rookies on active roster at end of season.

1: Complete games by Josh Tomlin, Carlos Carrasco and Mitch Talbot. They tied for first among American League rookies.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerShin-Soo Choo delivered a consistency of performance that hasn't often been seen in Cleveland.

2: Consecutive seasons of 20-plus homers and 20-plus steals for Shin-Soo Choo. He joined Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar and Grady Sizemore as only Indians to do 20/20 twice.

2: Consecutive seasons of .300 average, 20-plus homers and 20-plus steals for Choo. He became the first Indian since 1901 to accomplish the feat.

13: Games of three-plus hits for Choo.

14: Outfield assists for Choo. He led the majors.

.335: Home average for Choo.

.265: Road average for Choo.

253: Consecutive games without an error for catcher Mike Redmond, who had the streak end as an Indian this season.

1: Number of times Redmond was thrown out at first base on grounder to right field.

110: Errors.

95: Errors by opposition.

1,184: Strikeouts by batters.

967: Strikeouts by pitchers.

1.71: ERA for Chris Perez in 63 appearances.

0.53: ERA for Chris Perez since June 28.

1.01: ERA for Chris Perez in 34 home appearances.

0: Batters with 25 homers or 35 doubles or five triples or 100 RBI.

0: Pitchers with 15 victories or 150 strikeouts or 25 saves.

.012: Winning percentage when trailing after eight innings (1-83).

.167: Winning percentage when scoring three or fewer runs (13-65).

.249: Home batting average.

.248: Road batting average.

3.84: Home ERA.

4.79: Road ERA.

Minus-106: Run differential.

19: Hitting streak, in games, by Michael Brantley. It was the Tribe's longest since Casey Blake strung 26 in June 2007.

2: Recalls from Class AAA Columbus of Brantley.

1: Grounder to first base by Jason Donald that was incorrectly called a single by umpire Jim Joyce on June 2 in Detroit. It would have been the final out of Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga's perfect game.

1: Finger (right index) injured by Jason Donald while attempting to bunt Sept. 11 against Minnesota, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

18: Multi-hit games for Jason Donald and Michael Brantley. They ranked tied for fifth among American League rookies.

7: Innings pitched by Justin Masterson in relief of injured Mitch Talbot on Sept. 12 against Minnesota.

.169: Batting average for Luis Valbuena, a lefty, vs. right-handed pitchers (39-for-231).

.318: Batting average for Luis Valbuena vs. left-handed pitchers (14-for-44).

5: Total ejections of Indians personnel.

1: Ejections of Indians players for arguing call on the field (Jayson Nix, Aug. 30 vs. White Sox).

6: Indians position players who appeared in season finale at Chicago on Oct. 3 who finished with on-base percentage below .300 (Michael Brantley, .296; Jayson Nix, .283 (with Cleveland); Jordan Brown, .272; Andy Marte, .298; Luis Valbuena .273; Drew Sutton, .282).

The Tribe beat writer combined what the players did in the 2010 season and what they're expected to do next year to determine their value to the team.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore's successful return from microfracture knee surgery will go a long way toward determining how much the Indians can improve in 2011.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In ranking the Indians' 40-man roster, I combined what the players did in the 2010 season and what they're expected to do next year.

I studied their stats and their positions in the Indians' pecking order. To try and gauge each players value, I went to baseball- reference.com and checked out the WAR (wins above replacement) statistical study on the Tribe. The stat, developed by Sean Smith of Baseballprojections.com, measures the number of wins a player adds to his team above what a replacement player would add.

OK, I threw a few darts as well. It's not like I watched Ezequiel Carrera for 162 games this year.

Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana, Anthony Reyes and Hector Ambriz are not technically on the roster because they're on the 60-day disabled list, but they were rated as well. The roster must be adjusted and cut to 40 players by Nov. 19 in preparation for the Rule 5 draft.

1. OF Shin-Soo Choo: Top player on the roster, but he needs lots of help.

2. RHP Chris Perez: Went 2-0 with 16 saves in 17 chances and a 0.63 ERA after the All-Star break.

3. RHP Fausto Carmona: Showed he's capable of being a No.1 starter.

4. CF Grady Sizemore: Indians still consider him an elite player. For their sake, he better be.

5. C Carlos Santana: Manny Acta says Santana was born to hit in the middle of the lineup.

6. DH Travis Hafner: Hit .329 (51-for-155) after the break, but Tribe needs a 500 at-bat season from Pronk.

7. SS Asdrubal Cabrera: Production down because of broken left forearm. Hit .342 (27-for-79) with runners in scoring position.

Thomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerCarlos Santana's star was quickly ascending with the Indians before a collision at the plate prematurely ended his rookie season.

8. RHP Rafael Perez: Looks like a set-up man again in winning six games.

9. RHP Carlos Carrasco: September is a fooler, but six of his seven starts were rated quality starts.

10. RHP Justin Masterson: He should open 2011 in the rotation.

11. Shelley Duncan: Not sure what this says about Indians talent, but Duncan did everything asked of him this season.

12. RHP Mitch Talbot: Good first half, poor second half. Needs good health and a full season in 2011.

13. SS/2B Jason Donald: Of all the Tribe's young position players who came to the big leagues last season, with the exception of Carlos Santana, he was the most consistent hitter.

14. OF Michael Brantley: He's getting better, but a .296 on base percentage is a concern.

15. OF Trevor Crowe: He plays at 100 mph. If he hit .280 to .290, he'd play a lot more.

16. C Lou Marson: Great arm, bad bat. He can't possibly be that bad a hitter.

17. 2B/3B Jayson Nix: Out of the ashes of 11 errors at the hot corner, did the Indians find a third baseman or a utility infielder?

18. RHP Jeanmar Gomez: He'll help the Indians rotation at some point next year.

19. LHP Tony Sipp: Opposition hit only .218 against Sipp even though he gave up 12 homers, 30 runs and 39 walks.

20. RHP Joe Smith: Tough on righties (.160), weak on lefties (.342). It may cost him.

21. RHP Jensen Lewis: Pitched for his job in September (0.84 ERA, 1 run, 11 strikeouts, 3 walks). Did he do enough?

22. 1B Matt LaPorta: Manny Acta gave him a mulligan for 2010. What do you give him?

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerJosh Tomlin wasn't considered a prime prospect in the Indians' farm system, but produced quality starts throughout his rookie campaign.

23. RHP Josh Tomlin: Started 12 games, won half of them. Good chance to make opening day rotation.

24. OF Nick Weglarz: He has the power the Indians crave, but thumb surgery stopped him at Class AAA Columbus last year.

25. RHP Justin Germano: Manny Acta likes relievers that can go two or three innings. Germano does that well.

26. LHP Aaron Laffey: Not sure if Laffey is out as a starter or not. If he's out, he's a left-handed Germano.

27. RHP Frank Herrmann: He throws the ball over the plate, a good thing for a guy who throws between 95 mph to 97 mph.

28. RHP Hector Ambriz: Rule 5 right-hander who was hurt all year. He'll be down for at least a year following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

29. 1B/3B Andy Marte: Good guy, but if he's still here in 2011, it means the Indians have gone backward instead of forward.

30. C Luke Carlin: Did well in a short look.

31. INF Drew Sutton: Ditto for Sutton.

32. C Chris Gimenez: Improved as a catcher, but with Carlos Santana and Lou Marson in front of him, he has nowhere to go but down.

33. RHP Vinnie Pestano: If he proves he can get lefties and righties out, he could steal a spot in the pen.

34. INF Luis Valbuena: He got lost in spring training and never found his way home.

35. OF Jordan Brown: Finally got his big-league shot, but he still needs a change of scenery.

36. LHP David Huff: Went from 11 wins in 2009 to 11 losses in 2010, but don't count him out.

37. RHP Jess Todd: There are a lot of bullpen arms in front of him.

38. OF Ezequiel Carrera: Acquired from Seattle for Russell Branyan. He was a phone call away when Michael Brantley twisted his ankle in late September.

39. LHP Kelvin De La Cruz: Put in a healthy year at Class A and AA after missing most of the 2009 season with elbow problems.

40.1B Wes Hodges: Hard to figure out what Indians think of Hodges after they designated him and then re-signed him.

41. OF Chad Huffman: Claimed on waivers from the Yankees on Sept. 17.

42. SS Carlos Rivero: Homers went from seven to six, errors from 14 to 28 in second year at Class AA Akron.

43. RHP Anthony Reyes: Still trying to make it back from Tommy John surgery.

44. RHP Hector Rondon: He's recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

The season is over, but there are plenty of questions in this week's mailbag.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerThe Indians must hope for a return to slugging health for Travis Hafner, who is owed at least $28.75 million over the next three seasons.

Hey, Hoynsie: Looking at Travis Hafner's future, what would the Indians be responsible for should he decide he can't play through the soreness? Assuming insurance kicks in and Cleveland is off the hook, can a neutral third party suggest this option to the powers that be? -- Adam Jardy, Columbus.

Hey, Adam: Hafner hit .329 (51-for-155) with 15 doubles, five homers and 21 RBI after the All-Star break. I know that number is soft, not backed by a lot of doubles, homers and RBI, but does that sound like a guy who can't play through the pain?

The Indians are on the hook for the whole enchilada -- $13 million in 2011, $13 million in 2012 and a $2.75 million buyout in 2013. If he goes on the disabled list, insurance will cover some of that, but they can't keep him there forever.

The Indians' options are to light a candle and pray Hafner's right shoulder heals itself during the off-season, try and get what they can out of him for the next two years or release him and absorb the contract.

Hey, Hoynsie: In several recent games, the Cardinals put ex-Indian starting pitcher Jake Westbrook eighth in the batting order. Is this some new National League strategy? He's barely hitting .100. It isn't like he's CC Sabathia. -- Chris Ball, Cleveland Heights

Hey, Chris: This is an old ploy by St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. He first did it in 1998. His feeling was that by putting a better hitter in the No.9 spot, rather than the pitcher, it gave him more chances to put runners on base for Mark McGwire.

He did it this year to try and kick start the Cardinals' struggling offense.

La Russa told St. Louis reporters, "I think it creates more opportunities for us to score, which is the bottom line. We're a wining ballclub so I am doing this to give us a better shot. If our offense was going crazy then I wouldn't be messing with it."

Hey, Hoynsie: Why is the number of innings a pitcher has thrown the measure of how much he has been used? I would think the number of pitches thrown would be a better measure. Pitcher A can go six innings and throw 100 pitches and Pitcher B can go nine innings and throw the same 100 pitches. If this is repeated throughout the season, wouldn't the number of pitches thrown be a better measurement of how much a pitcher is used? -- John Mayor, Marienville, Pa.

Hey, John: Teams keep track of innings and pitches thrown and use both statistics to measure a pitcher's workload.

If a pitcher throws 100 pitches in six innings, that means he's struggling. Those 100 pitchers aren't the same as a pitcher who cruises through nine innings. The pitcher who throws just six innings has put a lot more stress on his arm, so in that way innings are a better gauge of workload.

The combination of pitches and innings is probably the best way to weigh a pitcher's season.

Hey, Hoynsie: Are you concerned that player agents for the Tribe's young stars might try to force the front office to trade them to a better team? It seems as if the agents of the amateurs forced the Tribe to overpay this summer. -- Knuckie Thompson, Atlantic City.

Hey, Knuckie: Shouldn't you be on the set for HBO's "Boardwalk Empire"? Tell Scarface to make sure he files his tax returns.

Hey, Hoynsie: An age-old question --- in your Oct. 1 article concerning the Indians' win over Chicago, you stated: "The White Sox made it 3-2 in the second when Brent Morel hit a leadoff homer off the left field foul pole." If it is a foul pole, and it is hit by a batted ball, shouldn't it be foul? It makes more sense to call it a "fair pole" because if you hit it, the ball is fair. At the very least, this deserves a column all its own. -- Bob Carpenter, Glen Allen, Va.

Hey, Bob: I've been called a lot of things in my life, including fair and foul. But I've never been called late for dinner.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerMichael Brantley's hitting streak to close the 2010 season gave the rookie outfielder reason to be optimistic for next spring.

Hey, Hoynsie: Will the winter theme park at Progressive Field be free for season ticket holders who seem to be penalized annually when the roster is blown up at midseason? -- Arthur Halston, Shaker Heights

Hey, Arthur: The answer is no. But in talking to Mark Shapiro, new team president, I think there will be some relief directed toward ticket-buying fans before next season begins.

Hey, Hoynsie: Doesn't it appear now that Michael Brantley was the best part of the CC Sabathia trade? If Matt LaPorta can't start to hit for something resembling a decent average, where does the Tribe turn for a first baseman? Not to mention, of course, a third baseman. Oh, and a second baseman, too. -- Phil Williams, Charlotte, N.C.

Hey, Phil: Sounds like the Indians are committed to giving LaPorta a full -- and hopefully healthy -- season in 2011 to prove himself. I'm betting Jason Kipnis will get serious consideration to solve the Tribe's second base situation by the middle of the 2011 season. A lot of third-base free agents are going to be on the market. I'm betting the Indians sign one of them.

Brantley certainly closed the season in fine fashion. When it was announced that Brantley was the player to be named to complete the CC Sabathia deal, some said he might be the best player in the deal. We'll have to wait and see.

Hey, Hoynsie: The A's just brought up a great group of young starting pitching. They also had the Hudson, Mulder, Zito combination and had a big hand in Dan Haren. It seems like they always find quality pitching without spending much via trade or free agency. In contrast, the Indians had a very disappointing year from nearly every starter in AAA, and AA didn't really fare much better. More scouting or more player development? Should the Indians be paying closer attention to Oakland? -- Joe Winnfield, Columbus

Hey, Joe: Like you, I think highly of the A's pitching staff, but it's not like they just appeared this year.

Gio Gonzalez, former No.1 pick of the White Sox, has been in the big leagues for parts of three years. Dallas Braden (2004), Vin Mazzaro (2005) and Trevor Cahill (2006) were drafted by the A's. Brett Anderson was Arizona's No.2 pick in 2006.

The best part of the Indians this year was their pitching staff, including the work of young starters Justin Masterson, Mitch Talbot, Carlos Carrasco, Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez. Masterson, Talbot and Carrasco were acquired in trades, while Tomlin, Gomez and No.1 starter Fausto Carmona are homegrown.

I see more similarities than differences between the two staffs.

-- Hoynsie

Win or lose, there's never a shortage of questions posed to the veteran Browns' beat writer.

View full sizeLynn Ischay / The Plain DealerMike Holmgren's last major appearance in public was during the opening of Heritage Hall last month. He has been noticeably quiet as the Browns' season enters the second month of the season.

Hey, Tony: It seems that Mike Holmgren has been very quiet lately about the current status of the Browns. What's your take on this? Wasn't one of the earlier objectives to provide a "face" for the Browns and to eliminate the perceived alienation of the fans by Mangini? He can't be all that happy. -- Mike Schmanke, Huntsville, Ala.

Hey, Mike: Holmgren has gone underground since the season started. The official reason articulated by his PR chief is that Holmgren wants Eric Mangini and Tom Heckert to be the official "voices" of the team during the season. Heckert, it turns out, is as unapproachable as Holmgren. My take is that Holmgren wants to say nothing publicly or privately that will be interpreted as a lessening of support for Mangini.

Hey, Tony: Seems as if Buffalo is getting ready to go wholesale with the cutting of Trent Edwards and the trade of Marshawn Lynch. Think maybe the Browns might be able to pry Lee Evans away from them? -- Jimmy DiDago, Louisville by way of Elyria, Ky.

Hey, Jimmy: That is a very credible idea. The problem as I see it is Evans is one of the few remaining quality players on offense the Bills have. I would definitely explore that possibility, however.

Hey, Tony: Were the Jets allowed to punish Braylon Edwards for his DUI arrest or did the CBA prevent them from punishing him? I remember reading that the Jets' hands were tied. A case of beer rides on this. -- Patrick English, Cleveland

Hey, Patrick: Yes, any discipline imposed on Edwards for his DUI arrest lies with the NFL and not the Jets. The owners lost control of these disciplinary issues in the extension of the CBA in 2006, which is one of the reasons they opted out of the agreement last fall and are seeking a new labor deal.

Hey, Tony: I told you back in preseason that Hillis would be our version of Mike Alstott but did you post it?? Noooooooooo ... now others are taking credit for what I already saw. But still a huge fan of yours and want your honest opinion. Do you believe we will be without football in 2011? -- Randy Brown, Huntington, W.Va.

Hey, Randy: No, I think the billionaire owners and the millionaire players will reach an agreement on a new labor deal.

Hey, Tony: We finally have an enforcer in the secondary and the NFL fined him for the Shipley hit. Why? -- Kevin Sandy, Navarre

Hey, Kevin: The NFL has made it clear to players and coaches that receivers and other players in a "defenseless" position may not be hit in the helmet or facemask. Ward clearly did that. It doesn't make him a cheap-shot artist or dirty player. The fine was just.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSafety Larry Asante remains on the Browns' practice squad after failing to make the roster in training camp.

Hey, Tony: Are the draft picks that didn't make the team (Larry Asante, Clifton Geathers etc.) still in the league? -- Paul Chase, New London

Hey, Paul: Asante is on the Browns' practice squad. When the Browns waived Geathers, he was claimed and awarded to the Miami Dolphins. He is on their regular roster.

Hey, Tony: Passing game, bad. Rushing game, potentially good. As my brother is fond of saying, "This isn't rocket surgery." They have an entire stable of backs that could be well above average. Why not just bash teams with the ground game, since it seems to work, and lay off the passing? -- Joe Cepec, Dublin

Hey, Joe: It looks as if this is what the Browns will do. We'll see how far it will take them.

Hey, Tony: Did the Browns make a run at Trevor Pryce when the Ravens released him? With so many defensive linemen hurt and missing practices etc., maybe some backup help is needed? -- Dan Pollit, Richmond, Ind.

Hey, Dan: The Browns' answer to their defensive line issues was to trade with Minnesota for Jayme Mitchell.

Hey, Tony: Great to see the Browns get that first win! What are your thoughts on the personal foul penalty T.J. Ward drew in the end zone? The replay shows that Ward clearly did not launch himself and it wasn't a helmet-to-helmet hit. Also, do players have an avenue to appeal fines and are you aware of any successful appeals? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

Hey, Tim: Ward was penalized and fined $15,000. I believe the penalty and fine were just. The league has emphasized no shots to a "defenseless" player -- at any position. Ward did not launch, but his shoulder and part of his helmet definitely made contact with the player's helmet. Jordan Shipley never saw the shot coming, which made him defenseless.

Hey, Tony: Knowing what we know now, even at 1-3, doesn't it seem odd that Mangini would risk his job, and, probably his last head coaching opportunity, by gambling on Brian Daboll, when he had a chance to get a proven OC? -- Mark Crespo, Houston, Texas

Hey, Mark: Odd? No. Mangini believes in Daboll. I'm not sure what proven offensive coordinator he had a chance to get.

Hey, Tony: How did the Denver trade go down? Did they throw in Hillis or did the Browns ask for him? -- Frank, Boardman

Hey, Frank: It is my understanding that the Browns did ask for Peyton Hillis. The deal also included Denver's seventh-round pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012.

Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns should make a play for Vincent Jackson seeing we can't get the ball to our receivers? -- Melvin Coker Jr., Cleveland

Hey, Melvin: What makes you think they would get the ball to Jackson? Anyway, there are some disincentives to trading for Jackson. 1. The Chargers reportedly are asking for second- and third-round draft picks. 2. Jackson's contract is up after this year, so any team trading for him would have to consider a new deal, which could cost up to $30 million guaranteed. 3. Jackson is suspended through the sixth week. 4. Another violation of the league's substance abuse policy could result in another suspension for up to one year.

Hey, Tony: General NFL question, but what are your thoughts on the numerous concussions occurring throughout the league? Last week, four players sustained them in one day. -- Bob Frankish, Northfield Center

Hey, Bob: Concussion injuries appear to be increasing for two reasons: 1. There is far greater awareness today about head injuries and the league has imposed specific guidelines in dealing with them. 2. Players are bigger and faster than ever, creating more collisions that result in concussions.

Hey, Tony: I keep hearing people say "you need a passing game to win in the NFL." However, the Steelers are 31st in passing and seventh in rushing and only one play from being 4-0. We are much more balanced than most realize being 22nd in passing yards and 14th in rushing. Who cares what Holmgren used to do in Green Bay? We don't have Favre and we are doing what we do best in order to stay in games. -- Michael Spitale, Galena

Hey, Michael: I would submit that if the Browns had even an average passing game they would be 3-1, maybe even 4-0.

Hey, Tony: I think so many people want instant success and it is not happening. But I will say without too much hyperbole that the drive that put the Bengals away is something I have dreamed about for years, maybe decades, of watching the Browns. It was done to us so many times over the years. Mark the drive down as when this franchise turned around. Are you a believer? -- Cliff Kessler, Des Moines, Iowa

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerShaun Rogers' inability to regularly practice and prove he's in good physical shape has likely damaged his standing with the Browns' front office.

Hey, Cliff: When the Browns were good in the late 1980s, they would routinely ice games with their running game. Same thing when they made the playoffs under Bill Belichick in 1994. It's the mark of a strong team when a team can do it consistently -- not just once.

Hey, Tony: You stated earlier that you believe the Browns organization has "turned the page" regarding Shaun Rogers. While Rogers has been out with injuries for substantial periods, when healthy, he was a force. This team needs quality DLs. So, why would they "turn the page" this early in a season -- when he has some years left on his contract? -- Dennis Thompson, Akron

Hey, Dennis: Rogers' immense talent does the team little good when he 1. seldom practices, and 2. does not keep himself in the absolute best playing shape possible. I believe the torch has been passed to Ahtyba Rubin as the starting nose tackle. Rogers had a Pro Bowl season two years ago. His career in Cleveland has been a carbon copy of his career in Detroit -- periods of fabulous play followed by periods of spotty play. The new regime of Holmgren and Heckert certainly have not seen Rogers at his best.

Hey, Tony: Sam Rutigliano's and Bernie's comments in various articles have offered interesting insights into specific games as well as their perspective on the team. Is there any way to make this a regular or semi-regular column? Put them in a room and write up a fly-on-the-wall report of the conversation. -- David King, Nashville, Tenn.

Hey, David: You can see and hear Rutigliano on two regular programs -- "The Point After" on WKYC Channel 3 on Monday night and "Sunday Strategy" on SportsTimeOhio cable on Thursday night (and replayed on Friday and Saturday).

Hey, Tony: Why don't the Browns call aggressive plays in second and short scenarios? It seems, over the last few seasons, the Browns are satisfied to run standard up the middle plays in advantageous situations. How about taking a shot downfield? I believe, last Sunday, that the Browns had a second and one opportunity on the Bengals' side of the field, and they ran Hillis up the middle. It would seem to me that this represented a perfect opportunity to stretch the field a bit or take a shot at the end zone. Is there something strategic that I'm missing, or are the Browns just painfully conservative? -- Kevin Robison, Cleveland

Hey, Kevin: You're not missing anything. The Browns frequently squander those "gravy" opportunities for potential big plays.

Hey, Tony: I have this sense Jerome Harrison is being shopped around the league in a possible trade. Philly seems like the perfect destination for many reasons. As you said before, this team needs speed ... and [James] Davis brings this. What are the chances of a trade actually happening? Who could we get from the Eagles in return for Jerome and what do you think the Browns still need to improve this team? Last, is Harrison happy with his contract and being with the Browns? -- Michael G, Japan

Hey, Michael: I don't get a sense the Browns are shopping Harrison. Davis has not proved capable of staying on the field for more than a couple of games in a row. He got a few carries in Baltimore and suffered a thigh injury. The year before, it was his shoulder. Trading Harrison put the Browns in a precarious position at running back. Unless they jointly re-signed Chris Jennings.

Hey, Tony: Does Mangini out give game balls after wins? If so, to whom did he give them this week? If he didn't, why not? -- Dennis Brooks, Pepper Pike

Hey, Dennis: You point out what appears to be an oversight on the part of us in the media for not asking/reporting his game balls. Mangini surely gave out game balls after wins last season.

Hey, Tony: What is the definition of a Pass Defensed (PD) in the NFL? For example, against the Ravens, T.J. Ward made at least two plays on passes that directly resulted in an incomplete, but he only got credit for 1 PD for the whole game. The two plays I can remember, is the one play at the beginning of the game, where he almost intercepted the ball and the other play where he almost interfered with Boldin in the end zone but did get a hand on the ball and knocked it away. -- Dale Micklos, Massillon

Hey, Dale: Good observations about the Baltimore game. The pass defensed statistic is not really an official stat. Like tackles, it is a subjective statistic. Passes defensed are tabulated by the stat crew in each stadium paid by the home team. The coaches then adjust the statistics after film review. Ward's numbers were thusly adjusted by the Browns' coaches. The point is, there is no official league leader in passes defensed because those stats are subject to individual team film review. The same is true of tackles.

Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns have any interest in the new free agent Julius Jones? There is a Holmgren connection and Jerome Harrison seems to be in Mangini's doghouse. -- Jason Blankenship, Medina

Hey, Jason: No apparent interest, but I would figure Jones to be near the top of GM Tom Heckert's "ready list" if the need for another back arises.

Hey, Tony: When Phil Dawson is about to kick a field goal or extra point, the holder points the ball at almost a 45-degree angle toward the goal post. During the game on Sunday, I suggested that that was to give the ball more lift once kicked, since it would have more reverse spin. My son thought it might be because it creates a larger "sweet spot" through the middle of the ball, thereby making better use of the tension inside the ball. Do you know; either, neither or both? -- Seren Hrachian, Athens, N.Y.

Hey, Seren: I will have to consult with Dawson on this question before providing an intelligent answer.

Hey, Tony: Have you decided Colt McCoy (a) is not the QB of the future! (b) probably is not, (c) Could be -- but we will have to have a QB contest with a 2011 draft choice in order to decide (arggghhh)? -- Tom Thomas, Fla.

Hey, Tom: Very good multiple choice question. I would choose C. My very amateurish, unscientific observation about McCoy is that he can be a respectable backup quarterback. I'm sure I will be proved wrong now that I'm on record saying that.

Hey, Tony: Is it to early for the Browns to start thinking about the 2011 draft. How about Stanford's Andrew Luck? He's got a strong accurate arm and he's mobile. Only competition so far are the Bills and Raiders. Can't wait till next year. -- Jim Markart, Sunnyvale, Calif.

Hey, Jim: You're preaching to the choir about Luck. I have concluded after meticulous film study and countless hours of observation that Luck is the NFL's next great quarterback. (OK, I'm exaggerating about the film study and observation.)

Hey, Tony: Any chance Cleveland sends Harrison to a team that needs a RB? His contract is up at the end of the season and we have depth with Hillis, Davis and Hardesty at the end of the season. If we did, what could we get in return? -- Jared Evans, Urbana

Hey, Jared: Considering 1. Harrison was a fifth-round draft choice and 2. can be a free agent after the season, I would submit the Browns could not get much more than a late-round draft pick for him. Trading Harrison would also leave the Browns shorthanded at running back for the remainder of the 2010 season. Davis' durability issue is another disincentive.

Hey, Tony: What has made Josh Cribbs less ineffective in the kicking game this year? Are they kicking differently to him? Do you feel as though they have used him enough in the game plans thus far? Also, have you ever been to a Saints game in New Orleans? What is your impression of the fans? I'm stationed down here on the Gulf Coast and got tickets for the Saints game. I want to rock my Browns gear but I don't want to get crap thrown at me and my family the whole game. -- Josh LeGuillon, Biloxi, Miss.

Hey, Josh: Cribbs and the Browns' special teams are victims of their own success. Every opponent puts a great deal of effort into game-planning the Browns' kick and punt teams. As for Cribbs' use in the offense, I believe he should be thrown to more often on shorter routes. On the Saints' fans, they are very rabid and loyal, but don't be intimidated. They are nice, polite people down there. Wear your Browns colors and I'm sure the New Orleans fans will respect your right to do so.

-- Tony

It was out with the old and in with the new this year for the Indians. First a new manager, then a new general manager. Just how soon manager Manny Acta and GM Chris Antonetti can produce a winner is a question that no one can answer.

Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer, FileIndians manager Manny Acta was praised by his players as a positive force throughout the long season.

THREE UP, THREE DOWN
Here are three on-the-field moments that made you cheer and three that made you sigh from the Indians’ 2010 season:
Three up
• 1. Shin-Soo Choo went 4-for-5 with three homers and seven RBI against the Royals on Sept. 17.
• 2. Fausto Carmona threw a three-hitter against Washington on June 12, tying the low-hit game of his career.
• 3. Rookie Josh Tomlin allowed one run on three hits in seven innings to beat the Yankees on July 27 in his big-league debut.
Three down
• 1. Third baseman Andy Marte made three errors in the first inning against Boston on June 10.
• 2. In four games against the Yankees, Tony Sipp allowed nine runs on seven hits, including three homers, in 2 2/3 innings.
• 3. Rookie catcher Carlos Santana, after taking a throw from Shin-Soo Choo, tagged out Boston’s Ryan Kalish in the seven inning Aug. 2, but injured his left knee in the collision and was done for the season.
— Paul Hoynes

• Paul Hoynes ranks the 2010 Indians from 1 to 44
• The Indians' 2010 season, by the numbers

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' 2010 season started with change and ended with change. In between, unfortunately, things stayed the same.

Under new manager Manny Acta, the Indians went 69-93, avoiding last place in the five-team American League Central on the second to last day of the season. The Indians ended the 2009 season at 65-97, the last of seven seasons under manager Eric Wedge, tied for last place (it could be called a fourth-place tie, if you're into semantics) with Kansas City.

The day after the 2010 season ended, Chris Antonetti officially replaced Mark Shapiro as general manager. Shapiro became the Indians president. The move had been announced before the start of the season.

How the Indians will change under Antonetti after nine years of Shapiro as GM is an unknown. There is a lot more evidence, 162 games and all of spring training, to determine the difference between Acta and Wedge.

First, Acta has the look. It's the look a veteran manager gives a reporter after he's asked a dumb question. It lasts for several seconds before Acta, satisfied that a message has been sent, politely answers the question.

It made its debut on opening day in Chicago on April 5. About an hour before the first game of the season, a reporter asked Acta if his team was ready for the regular season. The Indians just spent almost seven weeks in Arizona for spring training. They'd played over 30 exhibition games. If they weren't ready April 5, they'd never be ready.

Acta said all that with the look before answering the question. Maybe he learned it from one of his mentors, Frank Robinson, in Montreal. The last Indians manager with a look like that was John McNamara.

Wedge didn't have a look. He answered every question, rarely offering a hint of emotion. When asked if the 2005 Indians, who could have secured a playoff berth with one more win in the last week of the season, choked, Wedge gave his answer, his voice barely rising. Afterward he was not happy. He may have cussed and groused and complained.

But the media never saw it. Wedge rarely let anyone see what he didn't want them to see.

In the dugout, players say Acta is energetic and positive. He celebrates big runs, shows emotion, talks to players.

Wedge was the great stone face, watching, calculating, rarely taking his eyes off the field.

"But that wasn't the Wedgie we saw most of the time," said one player. "In the locker room, he was very motivational. He was always talking to us, getting us pumped up."

One more difference between the present and the past -- Acta doesn't like arguing with umpires. He doesn't think it accomplishes much. He was ejected twice this year and four times in 31/2 years as a big-league manager.

There was grumbling among some players this year because they didn't feel Acta was aggressive enough.

Wedge never challenged Bobby Cox, MLB's all-time ejection leader among managers, but didn't mind arguing with the men in blue. Wedge was ejected five times in 2009 alone.

Managerial personalities aside, it didn't make much difference to the team's won-loss record. The Indians have lost 190 of a possible 324 games over the last two years.

Antonetti has spent nine years as Shapiro's assistant general manager. He has played a big role in every decision Shapiro has made.

"There could not be a human being more prepared to do this job than Chris," said Shapiro.

Still, a GM is only as good as the resources available to him. Until Antonetti makes his first good deal, and his first bad one, under the criteria of the Dolan ownership, his performance will be hard to evaluate. He did give a telling answer last week when asked if he considered himself the new face of the franchise.

"I look at the players as being the face of the franchise," said Antonetti. "My job as general manager is to get to the point where all the attention of the franchise is on the players and what's going on the field."

The Indians used 48 players, 22 pitchers and 26 position players, this year. Jensen Lewis, bouncing between Cleveland and Class AAA Columbus five times, was the busiest.

When the season ended Oct. 3 in Chicago, the Indians were carrying 10 rookies and had the youngest 40-man roster in the big leagues. Some of these players will be a welcome sight when the 2011 seasons begins. Others will not.

It's up to Antonetti and Acta to turn the ones that do return into the face of a franchise that people actually want to come and watch play.

It will take some doing.

A pair of sophomores shine as Purple Raiders ease past Marietta.

Mount Union, ranked No. 2 in Division III, got a career-best 170 yards rushing from sophomore Jeremy Murray and 147 yards receiving from sophomore Jasper Collins as the Purple Raiders won their 48th consecutive regular-season game, defeating host Marietta, 28-14, Saturday in Ohio Athletic Conference play.

Sophomore quarterback Neal Seaman had his second career 300-yard passing game, throwing for 331 yards and a touchdown for Mount Union (5-0, 4-0). Seaman directed an offense that had 495 yards but also had three fumbles against Marietta (1-4, 0-4) -- all in Pioneers territory in the second half.

Senior defensive end Lambert Budzinski had 12 tackles for the Raiders.

Case Western Reserve 48, Oberlin 36: Senior Zach Homyk had 10 receptions for a career-high 201 yards and two touchdowns, and senior quarterback Joey Baum completed 24 of 34 passes for a career-high 363 yards and three scores as the Spartans (5-0) downed the Yeomen in Oberlin.

CWRU has won 36 consecutive regular-season games and stretched its win streak against Oberlin to 26 straight.

John Carroll 38, Wilmington 17: Devin O'Brien ran for three TDs and passed for one, and DaQuan Grobsmith ran for 136 yards and one TD as the Blue Streaks (2-3, 2-2 OAC) triumphed at home over the Quakers (0-5, 0-4).

Wittenberg 49, Hiram 7: Conner Warye ran for 122 yards and two TDs, and Corey Weber added 112 yards and one TD as the Tigers (6-0, 3-0 North Coast Athletic Conference), ranked seventh in Division III, cruised past the Terriers (1-5, 1-3) in Springfield, Ohio. Hiram's Brendan Rehor threw an 11-yard TD pass to Glenn Campbell.

Division II

Wayne State 28, Lake Erie 16: Mickey Mohner threw for two TDs as the Warriors (5-1, 4-1 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) defeated the Storm (0-6, 0-5) in Painesville. Sean Bedevelsky threw for 302 yards and two TDs for Lake Erie.

NAIA

St. Joseph's (Ind.) 37, Notre Dame College 7: Jashon Banks ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns as the host Pumas (3-3) pounded the Falcons (2-5). Notre Dame's Yan Cyr threw a 7-yard TD pass to Shawn Riley.

Julian Talbot scored his second goal in as many nights in regulation and Ben Walter scored the game winner in the shootout.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Julian Talbot scored his second goal in as many nights in regulation and Ben Walter scored the game winner in the shootout to give the Lake Erie Monsters a 2-1 win in Syracuse on Saturday night.

John Grahame recorded the win in goal, posting 17 saves on 18 shots in 65 minutes. Lake Erie is 2-0 to start the season.

Lake Erie dominated Syracuse offensively, out-shooting the home team, 41-18. But neither team was able to capitalize until nearly the end of the second period. Talbot put the Monsters on the board at the 17:16 mark of the middle frame, assisted by Travis Gawryletz and Cameron Gaunce.

The Monsters finished the second period with a 1-0 lead, but it wouldn't take the Crunch long to tie it up. Just two minutes into the third, Maxime Macenauer scored on the power play for Syracuse, assisted by Stu Bickel and Danny Syvret.

Regulation ended with a 1-1 tie and after five sudden-death minutes of overtime, the teams headed to a shootout.

The home team shot first and missed, as did Lake Erie's first shooter, Ryan Stoa. After another failed attempt by the Crunch, Walter converted for the Monsters. Another miss by Syracuse was followed by Kevin Shattenkirk's goal for the Monsters, forcing Syracuse's fourth shooter to convert or go home. Trevor Smith was unable to get past Grahame.