SOLON, Ohio — Talk leading up to Friday night's Solon-Medina game centered on the teams' respective tailbacks, and rightly so. Kyle Hammonds, who is headed to Ohio University next year, had 870 yards and 11 scores in leading unbeaten Solon to the No. 2 spot in the Plain Dealer Top 25 and in Division I, Region 1, while Medina's...

SOLON, Ohio — Talk leading up to Friday night's Solon-Medina game centered on the teams' respective tailbacks, and rightly so.

Kyle Hammonds, who is headed to Ohio University next year, had 870 yards and 11 scores in leading unbeaten Solon to the No. 2 spot in the Plain Dealer Top 25 and in Division I, Region 1, while Medina's Jason Suggs had more than 1,300 yards, including more than 600 in the previous three games, to help the Bees to a 7-1 mark.

"All week all I've been hearing is that it's Hammonds vs. Suggs," Hammonds said. "I wrote to him on his Facebook wall a few hours before the game and wished him good luck. Most people said they thought we would cancel each other out."

Those who said that, however, had no idea about Solon's smothering defense. Led by linebacker A.J. Hicks and lineman Nate Hoff, the Comets completely dominated the proceedings in a 36-6 rout that saw Suggs gain only 7 yards on 16 carries.

"They can run," Medina coach Larry Laird said of Solon's defense. "They go sideline to sideline better than anyone we've seen this year. They controlled the line of scrimmage. That's what it came down to."

Suggs has made a living running the power sweep this season, but the Comets were prepared. He carried the ball 12 times in the first half -- seven on pitch sweeps -- for a total of 14 yards. To make things even worse, the first time Suggs touched the ball in the second half he was thrown for a 2-yard loss in the end zone for a safety.

"We noticed on their films that they had a lot of success on the sweep play," Hicks said. "It was sweep after sweep after sweep. We wanted to force him inside and have the front seven fly to the ball."

According to Solon coach Jim McQuaide, those who discount Solon's defense haven't been paying attention.

"In everything we do from Day One it always starts with our defense," he said. "We're always going to be as good as our defense."

That's not to say the offense isn't impressive as well. Hammonds had a big night with 143 yards on 20 carries, scoring on runs of 1, 4 and 36 yards. Solon's other score came on a 12-yard pass from Chris Humphrey to Anthony Restifo.

Field position played a big role in the game, as Solon started in Medina territory three times in the first half and once in the third quarter. On the other hand, the Bees were constantly pinned deep in their own territory, starting inside their own 5 three times.

AKRON, Ohio — With University School moving to the Premier Athletic Conference next season, the team's rivalry with St. Vincent-St. Mary will be on hold for the foreseeable future, and the teams may have played their final game against one another. The Fighting Irish made sure to send the Preppers away with some very bad memories of their final...

AKRON, Ohio — With University School moving to the Premier Athletic Conference next season, the team's rivalry with St. Vincent-St. Mary will be on hold for the foreseeable future, and the teams may have played their final game against one another.

The Fighting Irish made sure to send the Preppers away with some very bad memories of their final game at Green Street Stadium, as the Irish dominated the Preppers in every facet of the game in a convincing 56-7 win on Friday.

"We've been due," Irish head coach Dan Boarman said. "We've been due to put it all together.

"Our defense has been carrying us here most of the season, and I think our offense finally got on track."

The offense rolled up 422 total yards for SVSM. The Irish rushing attack did the most damage, accounting for 351 yards on 47 carries as the offensive line dominated the Preppers' defense.

"The offensive line played with a lot of consistency," Boarman said. "We knew we were going to have to control the line of scrimmage to win.

"The offensive line, at times, has looked like that, and we finally put four quarters together."

It didn't matter who lined up behind the Irish offensive line, as St. Vincent-St. Mary's rushing attack came in waves.

In the first half it was Sae'von Fitzgerald and Kevin Besser leading the charge, with Fitzgerald scoring three rushing touchdowns and Besser getting 102 yards on eight carries.

In the second half it was junior Matt Matuska, who scored on a 79-yard run and had a second score on a 25-yard pass from backup quarterback Oliver Hildebrandt.

St. Vincent-St. Mary's defense turned in another stout performance, limiting the Preppers' high-powered offense to 151 total yards -- and just 41 on the ground. Junior Matt Perry had two sacks, and Franshon Bickley and Anthony Cicione II each had interceptions to lead the SVSM defense.

The Irish defense also forced three University turnovers, and SVSM took full advantage, turning all three miscues into touchdowns. The most damaging came late in the first half when the Irish recovered a fumbled kickoff on the University 12-yard-line with 1:08 remaining. The Irish needed just two plays to punch it into the end zone and take a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime.

University (6-3) finally broke through and spoiled the Irish's bid for a shutout when quarterback Tyler Eden scored on a nine-yard run with 37 seconds left in the game.

Bill Mayville is a freelance writer in Parma Heights.

COPLEY, Ohio — What to do when a rebuilding project comes in ahead of schedule, under budget and better than expected? Keep building.

Tallmadge's Tyrin Williams runs through a huge hole for a first down against Copley on Friday night in the second quarter at Copley Stadium.



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(Chuck Crow / PD)

COPLEY, Ohio — What to do when a rebuilding project comes in ahead of schedule, under budget and better than expected?

Keep building.

Tallmadge hammered away at host Copley, winning, 34-14, on Friday, and the young Blue Devils' season continues to reach unexpected heights.

They are 9-0 a year after going 2-8 with a lineup that features 15 juniors and sophomores, and they clinched a least a share of the Suburban League title at 6-0. Tallmadge is a virtual lock for a Division II playoff berth and could enter the regular season's final week as high as No. 1 in Region 5.

"We're surprised coming off a 2-8 season, and we're very happy," said Tallmadge tailback Tyrin Williams.

Williams and especially the Blue Devils' offensive line had another big night. Williams rushed for a methodical 174 yards and one touchdown on 39 carries behind tackles Jon Cipa and Grayson Clark, guards Joe Rienzi and Kris Kamps, and center Austin Thompson.

Williams' motivation to outplay Copley sophomore standout Aregeros "Deucey" Turner grew exponentially when he saw Turner's 58-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game.

"He's supposed to be the best running back and he's got more publicity than I got, so I was just trying to show him up," said Williams, a 5-7, 175-pound junior.

Turner had 134 yards on 11 carries.

Copley (8-1, 5-1) remains in good shape for a Region 5 playoff berth if it beats rival Revere next week, but its performance in the season's biggest game raised some red flags.

"We've gone against teams that have been bigger and we've gone against teams that have been stronger, but their resolve to control the line won out," Copley coach Ron Viscounte said. "They certainly wore on us. They out-physicalled us."

Tallmadge responded to Turner's long touchdown with the first of several long drives. The Blue Devils covered 78 yards on 13 plays. Williams had nine carries for 40 yards and sophomore quarterback Anthony Gotto completed three passes, including a 14-yard touchdown to Kyle Tywon. Mitch Heath's extra point tied it.

"When we responded and drove down the field to tie it, that was crucial for our psyche," Tallmadge coach Joe Vassalotti said. "It was important that we were physical at the line of scrimmage because we cannot match their speed."

That was the first salvo in a 27-0 run.

Tallmadge's next drive was more of the same -- 12 plays, 67 yards -- and Williams gained 48 yards. He scored on a 9-yard run, following a big block by Thompson.

The Blue Devils took advantage of Copley breakdowns for a pair of second-quarter field goals by Heath (36 and 37 yards).

Copley managed just four first downs in the first half following Turner's touchdown run.

Tallmadge pieced together another 12-play drive in the third quarter. Gotto completed three passes for 50 yards and Dylan Getz's 1-yard dive pushed the lead to 27-7.

The Indians got standout receiver Shawn Taylor loose late in the third quarter. He caught five balls for 40 yards on a 73-yard drive, and quarterback Lou Gigliotti threw a 5-yard TD pass to C.J. Chatman on the last play of the quarter.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

Go here to see a photo gallery from the game. NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — Teetering on the edge of a playoff berth, North Royalton needed to make a statement in Friday night’s matchup with Parma.

Parma's Cameron Thompson gets wrapped up by North Royalton defender Dragan Pantic after a short gain Friday.



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(Thomas Ondrey / PD)

Go here to see a photo gallery from the game.

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — Teetering on the edge of a playoff berth, North Royalton needed to make a statement in Friday night’s matchup with Parma.

Following their 42-7 rout of the visiting Redmen, it is safe to say the Bears were heard loud and clear.

North Royalton set the tone early, getting their first score on lineman Azarie Battle’s 24-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown just 20 seconds into the game. Running back Logan Pearce kept it going in the second quarter, scoring on touchdown runs of 3 and 82 yards.

The Bears, who led 20-0 at halftime, stayed just as aggressive in the second half.

Three third quarter touchdowns pushed their lead to 42-0. At that point, many of North Royalton’s starters were taken out of the game.

“We were ready to play coming out of the locker room,” said North Royalton coach Nick Ciulli. “We were prepared. This is a big game for us.”

“We were all fired up all week,” said Pearce, who finished with a little less than 200 yards rushing. "It was really a team effort.”

On the other sideline, Parma coach Rob Cyr was understandably disappointed. The Redmen were just as much in the playoff hunt, needing a win to stay alive.

“We played a poor game,” said Cyr. “We didn’t do things that we’ve done all year. It wasn’t just mental mistakes. We had trouble doing so many things.”

The Bears, now 8-1 on the year, will look to win an outright championship in the Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division when they play Normandy next week.

The Redmen (7-2) will try to finish strong against Valley Forge.

CHESTER TOWNSHIP — The one-two punch of Pat Porter and Percey Johnson led Kenston to a key 21-14 victory in overtime over West Geauga on Friday night at Howell Field at West Geauga High School. The victory will keep the Bombers in the Division II playoff hunt, but probably ends the chances of the Wolverines of playing in the...

CHESTER TOWNSHIP — The one-two punch of Pat Porter and Percey Johnson led Kenston to a key 21-14 victory in overtime over West Geauga on Friday night at Howell Field at West Geauga High School.

The victory will keep the Bombers in the Division II playoff hunt, but probably ends the chances of the Wolverines of playing in the postseason.

Kenston (7-2, 5-1 Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division) got the ball first in overtime and needed just two plays to score, an 18 yard run by Johnson and a 2-yard touchdown run by Porter.

"You have a 217 pound kid (Johnson) and a 200 pound kid (Porter) and they support one another," said Kenston coach Roger Vasey. "They’re such team kids. They support each other real well."

West G (6-3, 3-3) failed to gain a yard in its four overtime plays.

Porter led Kenston with 25 rushes for 116 yards while Johnson had 12 rushes for 55 yards.

"Pat is the best football player on their team," said West G coach Lou Cirino. "Porter was who we had to stop."

The Wolverines took the lead in the third quarter when their pash rush got to Kenston quarterback Austin Zachem and forced a fumble. West G recovered on the Kenston 45.

West G’s Zak Kucera completed a 26-yard pass to Adam LaRiccia down to the Kenston 13. However, two penalties put the ball back on the 22 and the Wolverines faced a third-and-19 from the 22. That’s when Kucera lobbed a perfect pass to a wide open LaRiccia in the middle of the end zone for the 14-7 lead.

Kucera started for Joe Drenski, who missed the game with mononucleosis.

Kenston tied the game at 14-14 after taking over a short field following a muffed punt. Johnson capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run with 10:58 left in the game.

The Bombers got the ball to start the game. Kenston moved 70 yards in 11 run plays as Zachem scored on a 1-yard plunge for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Wolverines finally got going late in the second quarter. West G took over at its own 48 with 4:03 left in the first half. Kucera got things going when he completed a 19 yard pass to Mike VeVerka. Kucera hit Vince Ziccardi with a 6-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds left in the half to tie the game at 7-7 at halftime.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights' football team (6-3, 4-2) has had its share of peaks and valleys. Friday night was a major peak with a 21-14 victory that not only bumped visiting Avon Lake into a three-way tie for first place in the Southwestern Conference with Amherst and Olmsted Falls but also snapped its winning streak at seven.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights' football team (6-3, 4-2) has had its share of peaks and valleys.

Friday night was a major peak with a 21-14 victory that not only bumped visiting Avon Lake into a three-way tie for first place in the Southwestern Conference with Amherst and Olmsted Falls but also snapped its winning streak at seven.

Senior tailback Matt Galland was the standout, rushing for 218 yards, while quarterback Tom Tupa completed seven of 11 passes for 65 yards. Three of those receptions went to Tyler Tarnowski for 59 yards.

The Shoremen (7-2, 5-1), ranked No. 13 in The Plain Dealer, had Ronnie Willoughby account for 10 receptions for 182 yards from quarterback Troy Toy, who connected on 17 of 35 passes for 212 yards.

Avon Lake was one of seven teams in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 poll to lose Friday.

Glenville 40, John Hay 0 The Tarblooders (9-0, 6-0), ranked No. 1 in the area and in the Division I state poll, clinched their 13th consecutive Senate Athletic League title with their third straight shutout, fourth overall. Quarterback Cardale Jones completed eight of 13 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, that being a 6-yarder to Shane Wynn. Wynn caught five passes for 66 yards while linebacker Richard Dowdley accounted for seven tackles for Glenville, fourth in the ESPN and 11th in USA Today.

Maple Heights 40, Lorain 7 Senior quarterback Shaq Washington was 16-of-21 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns as the Mustangs (9-0, 3-0), ranked fourth in the area and fifth in the Division II poll, moved one win from an unbeaten regular season and an outright title in the Lake Erie League Erie Division. Washington also rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown. Andre Stubbs had 133 yards of total offense and scored on a 15-yard run.

Lake Catholic 24, Archbishop Hoban 3 Senior tailback-linebacker Richie Sanders returned from injury and the defense flexed its muscles once again. Sanders ran for two touchdowns as the Cougars, ranked fifth in the area and sixth in the Division II state poll, improved to 8-1, 4-0 North Coast League Blue Division. They limited Hoban to a second-quarter field goal and have surrendered just 24 points in their past six wins.

Mentor 42, Cleveland Heights 21 The No. 6-ranked Cardinals (6-3, 3-0) clinched at least a tie for the Lake Erie League Lake Division crown when Mike Korecz rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Mitch Trubisky passed for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Avon 20, Fairview 7 It was a struggle, but the visiting Eagles (9-0, 6-0), ranked 10th in the area and second in the Division II state poll, moved closer to an undefeated regular season and an outright West Shore Conference crown. Avon scored on the opening drive as junior running back Mark Holkenborg ran in from 1 yard and the score didn't change until the fourth quarter when quarterback Cody Schroeder threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Matt Eckhardt.

Twinsburg 30, Stow 14 The 11th-ranked Tigers (8-1, 3-1) rebounded from last week's loss to Hudson to stay in the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title race behind Aaron Macer's 124 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He also passed for 76 yards. Tailback John Barton chipped in with 67 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Hudson 21, Cuyahoga Falls 14 The Explorers (3-6, 3-1) stayed in a first-place tie in the NOC River Division thanks to Ben Gedeon's 99 rushing yards and a touchdown and David Nelson's 90 yards passing.

Elyria 21, Lakewood 7 Jumarr Lewis scored on runs of 7 and 5 yards, the latter score giving the Pioneers (4-5, 3-1) the lead for good in the second quarter and kept them tied for first place in the NOC River Division.

Aurora 60, Harvey 28 The Greenmen (8-1, 6-0), ranked 12th in the area and 11th in the Division II state poll, clinched at least a tie for the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division championship behind tailback-safety Nick Sivillo, who ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns and also mustered six tackles. Linebacker-fullback Brian Wells was in on nine tackles, caused a fumble and also had a 2-yard touchdown run. Harvey quarterback Kaleb Coffee completed 32 of 46 passes for 445 yards, two touchdowns and also ran for a pair of touchdowns. His favorite target was Justin Rice, who grabbed 18 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown.

Olmsted Falls 17, Amherst 14 Brennan Laird's 27-yard pass to Zack Ferster sealed the victory when the Bulldogs (6-3, 4-1) upset the 14th-ranked and previously unbeaten Comets (8-1, 5-1) as both teams moved into a first-place tie in the SWC with Avon Lake.

Chagrin Falls 42, Orange 22 The Tigers (8-1, 5-1), ranked No. 17 in the area and 13th in the Division IV state poll, remained in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title race as Marc Geraci accounted for 75 yards in receptions and a touchdown to go along with 57 yards rushing. Jack Hinman added 87 yards on the ground and touchdown runs of 3, 11 and 13 yards.

Elyria Catholic 28, St. Peter Chanel 24 The Panthers (8-1, 3-1), ranked 20th in the area and 10th in the Division IV state poll, needed a late fourth-quarter drive to avoid the NCL White Division upset and sealed at least a tie for the title. Quarterback Danny Reaser, who made good on 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, connected on one of his two touchdown passes with 27 seconds left in the game with the clincher being a 20-yarder to Conor Voreis. Reaser completed 4 of 5 passes to account for 60 yards in the final drive.

Mayfield 17, Brunswick 14 The Wildcats (5-4, 1-3) scored their biggest win of the season in the NOC Valley Division upset over host and No. 21-ranked Brunswick (5-4, 2-2). Tyler Anderson's 21-yard field goal with 1:05 left in the game capped the winning drive, which was keyed by Carlos Cruzado's seven carries and 29 yards.

Strongsville 55, Nordonia 41 The 22nd-ranked Mustangs (6-3, 3-1) had Iowa recruit Ray Hamilton catch three touchdown passes and Matt Bianco run for four touchdowns en route to the NOC Valley Division victory.

Manchester 49, Tuscarawas Valley 18 The Panthers (9-0, 6-0, ranked No. 24 in the area and second in the Division IV state poll, clinched at least a tie for the Principals Athletic Conference crown thanks to the duo of Mark Noble and Cort Logan, who combined for 169 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Madison 45, Eastlake North 7 Josh March scored five touchdowns in the Premier Athletic Conference romp. March carried the ball 28 times for 207 yards, helping the Blue Streaks (6-3, 3-1).

Collinwood 42, Lincoln West 0 The Railroaders (3-6, 3-4) earned their first shutout of the season as Jamal Nash did it on both sides of the ball. The senior quarterback connected on 8 of 12 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns and also had seven tackles from his linebacker position. Safety James Fortner added four tackles and four interceptions, good for 161 yards and two touchdowns as Collinwood accumulated 277 yards in total offense.

John F. Kennedy 34, East Tech 12 Marcus Martin had touchdown receptions of 4 and 20 yards from quarterback Trevon Williams when the Eagles (6-3, 5-2) cruised to the SAL win.

Harding 44, Shaker Heights 17 Demond Hymes had touchdown runs of 4 and 11 yards when Harding (7-2, 2-1), ranked 13th in the Division I state poll, prevailed in the Lake Erie League Lake Division game.

Euclid 38, Bedford 0 It was the Panthers' (4-5, 3-1) third straight win but first shutout of the year as tailback Chuck Bradford rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns to lead the LEL Lake Division victory. Junior quarterback Benny Walker clicked on 4 of 8 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

East Liverpool 29, John Marshall 20 Quarterback Tamaine Chappell was 11-of-19 passing for 298 yards and two touchdowns and he also rushed for 67 yards when the Lawyers (5-4) were defeated in the nonleague road game.

The teams combine for five goals in a span of just 12 minutes in the third period after going scoreless for most of the game.

After 47 minutes of scoreless hockey, the host Texas Stars outscored Lake Erie in a late flurry of goals and won an American Hockey League game, 3-2, on Friday in Cedar Park, Texas.

The teams combined for five goals in a span of just 12 minutes in the third period. Mark Olver and Greg Mauldin scored for the Monsters; Jason Bacashihua had 32 saves on 35 shots.

Texas goalie Brent Krahn (2-1-0) stopped 33 Lake Erie shots for the victory.

Stars left wing Francis Wathier scored the game-winning goal with 41 seconds remaining in regulation. Texas right wing Colton Sceviour notched his first goal of the season on a penalty shot, tying the game with 3:41 left in the third period.

Texas improved to 3-1-0-0, and the Monsters fell to 2-4-0-1.

Akron tries for its first win of the season at home against Western Michigan, Kent State travels to Bowling Green, Lake Erie travels to Findlay, and Baldwin-Wallace, Case Western Reserve and John Carroll all host games.

No. 3 Oklahoma (6-0) at No. 18 Missouri (6-0), 8, WEWS Ch. 5

No. 4 TCU (7-0) vs. Air Force (5-2), 8

No. 5 Auburn (7-0) vs. No. 6 LSU (7-0), 3:30, WOIO Ch. 19

No. 7 Alabama (6-1) at Tennessee (2-4), 7, ESPN

No. 9 Utah (6-0) vs. Colorado State (2-5), 6

No. 12 Stanford (5-1) vs. Washington State (1-6), 5

No. 14 Nebraska (5-1) at No. 17 Oklahoma St. (6-0), 3:30

No. 15 Arizona (5-1) vs. Washington (3-3), 10:15 p.m., ESPN

No. 19 South Carolina (4-2) at Vanderbilt (2-4), 7

No. 20 West Virginia (5-1) vs. Syracuse (4-2), noon, ESPN2

No. 21 Arkansas (4-2) vs. Mississippi (3-3), 12:21, WUAB Ch. 43

No. 22 Texas (4-2) vs. Iowa State (3-4), noon

No. 23 Virginia Tech (5-2) vs. Duke (1-5), noon

No. 24 Mississippi St. (5-2) vs. UAB (2-4), 7, ESPNU

No. 25 Miami (4-2) vs. North Carolina (4-2), 7:30, ESPN2

Big Ten Conference

No. 11 Ohio State (6-1, 2-1) vs. Purdue (4-2, 2-0), noon, Big Ten Network: Purdue has not given up a sack in its past two games. Ohio State has eight sacks this season.

No. 8 Michigan State (7-0, 3-0) at Northwestern (5-1, 1-1), noon, ESPN: MSU's offense was held under 30 points for the first time this season and limited to season lows in total yards (294) and rushing yards (93) last week against Illinois.

No. 10 Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1) at No. 13 Iowa (5-1, 2-0), 3:30, WEWS Ch. 5: What gives? The Badgers' rushing attack that ranks 12th in the country at 232.7 yards per game? Or the Iowa defense that has yielded just 83.8 yards on the ground per game?

Indiana (4-2, 0-2) at Illinois (3-3, 1-2), noon, BTN: Indiana QB Ben Chappell leads an offense that ranks fifth nationally in passing offense (319.3 ypg). Illinois will counter with RB Mikel Leshoure, who ranks 14th in the country in rushing (113.3 ypg).

Penn State (3-3, 0-2) at Minnesota (1-6, 0-3), noon, ESPNU: PSU ranks eighth in the conference in passing (209.2 ypg), 10th in rushing (126.0 ypg), and last in scoring (18.2 ppg).

Mid-American Conference

Akron (0-7, 0-3) vs. Western Michigan (2-4, 1-1), 3:30, SportsTime Ohio: WMU has scored more than 24 points in only one game this season.

Kent State (2-4, 1-2) at Bowling Green (1-6, 0-3), 3:30: BG defense is ranked last in the MAC and has given up an average of 463.7 ypg.

Central Michigan (2-5, 1-3) at Northern Illinois (5-2, 3-0), 4: NIU ranks 10th nationally in rushing yards and 21st in total offensive yardage.

Eastern Michigan (1-6, 1-3) at Virginia (2-4), 6: EMU ended an 18-game losing streak with a 41-38 victory over Ball State last week.

Ohio (4-3, 3-1) at Miami (4-3, 3-0), 1: First place in the MAC East is on the line. OU, the defending division champion, has won three straight.

Temple (5-2, 2-1) at Buffalo (2-4, 1-1), noon, WEWS Ch. 5: Temple's offense is ranked 106th in the nation at 304.4 ypg.

Toledo (4-3, 3-0) vs. Ball State (2-5, 1-2), 7: Toledo relies on its big-play defense, which has forced 19 turnovers this season.

Division II

Lake Erie (0-7) at Findlay (1-6, 1-5), noon: Four second-half turnovers last week thwarted the Storm's upset attempt against top-ranked Grand Valley State.

Division III

Baldwin-Wallace (5-1, 4-1 Ohio Athletic Conference) vs. Wilmington, 1:30

Case Western Reserve (6-0) vs. Wooster, 1: The game is the annual Baird Brothers Trophy game, with the winner receiving a golden fishing stringer decorated with carved brass fish. The tradition was started in 1984 by Bob and Bill Baird, economics professors at the opposing schools.

John Carroll (3-3, 3-2 OAC) vs. No. 11 Ohio Northern (5-1, 4-1), 7: JCU is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season but has lost four straight to ONU.

No. 2 Mount Union (6-0, 5-0 OAC) vs. Capital (3-3, 3-2), 1:30 (7 p.m. delayed broadcast on STO): Capital has lost 23 straight games to the Purple Raiders.

Oberlin (2-4) at Washington (Mo.) (4-2), 1: Sophomore CB David Kalgren leads the Yeomen defense in tackles (53), interceptions (four) and pass breakups (four).

NAIA

Notre Dame College (2-5) vs. Marian (Ind.) (5-2) at Brush High School, 1: Marian ranks 12th in the nation in passing at 275.6 ypg.

-- Compiled from staff and wire reports

Rangers President Nolan Ryan is spreading the word that pitchers not only can survive the heat, but win ballgames while pitching in it in Texas.

View full sizeChris O'Meara / Associated PressWinning a pennant might help Rangers president and co-owner Nolan Ryan lure free-agent pitchers to Texas ... but it's never easy battling against the Yankees' payroll.

Ryan, who threw seven no-hitters in his career, didn't want to know the secrets of the knuckler. He wanted to know how to handle the heat in Arlington during the regular season.

"Charlie told me, 'Nolan, what you have to do is you have to last longer than the opposing pitcher,' " said Ryan.

Ryan became president of the Texas Rangers in 2008. He has been trying to change the image of the Rangers from a team that tried to win every game, 12-10, to one that can not only pitch, but pitch effectively in the Texas heat.

The message Hough gave Ryan is the one he has passed to his team's pitchers.

"If you can do that, you can win a lot of ballgames," said Ryan, MLB's all-time leader in strikeouts.

The Rangers, who won the AL West with a 90-72 regular season, had the third-best ERA in the American League at 3.93. Starters C.J. Wilson went 15-8 and Tommy Hunter 13-4. Rookie closer Neftali Felix went 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA and 40 saves.

In 10 games this postseason, not including Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Friday, Rangers pitchers were 6-4 with a 2.93 ERA.

"We had to get our pitchers to realize that you could pitch in Arlington Stadium and you could be successful," said Ryan. "We've proven that.

"Our guys are very much at home pitching in the heat. . . . The word was that the ball carries well here, but this park plays pretty true. But you have to keep the ball down and you have to pitch. You just can't throw."

The Rangers have had a tough time persuading free-agent pitchers to come to Arlington. Ryan feels they're changing that reputation.

"With the success of our organization, I think people will view us differently than they have in the past," said Ryan. "I think pitchers felt, like they did with the Rockies, that if you go there you can figure on tacking another run or run and a half on your ERA. That's not the case with us.

"We didn't have to do anything to make it more friendly for pitchers. What we had to do was have pitchers who pitched better."

The Rockies, to combat the high altitude in Denver, were given permission by MLB to keep the balls used in games in a humidor so they wouldn't lose their moisture and thus travel farther.

Bring on Lee: After Thursday's workout at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher heard reporters asking some of his teammates about Cliff Lee, who will start Game 7, if necessary, for Texas today.

View full sizeFWSTNick Swisher will have to wait until next season for a chance to hit against the Rangers' Cliff Lee.

"You guys are talking about Cliff Lee?" said Swisher to reporters. "[Expletive], who cares?"

Swisher added, "I can't wait to hit against his [behind]."

Swisher hasn't hit much of anything in the ALCS. He entered Game 6 on Friday hitting .105 (2-for-19). He went 0-for-3 against Lee in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.

Lee is 3-0 against the Yankees in the postseason since 2009.

Texas manager Ron Washington didn't mind what Swisher said.

"That's Swisher. He's a tough competitor," said Washington. "He's not afraid to say what he feels. If I was sitting in his shoes, I'd probably feel the same way. . . . But you know, the game is not played with words; it's played between the lines. And if he can back it up, I'll pat him on the back."

Remember when: In 1988, Washington spent the season with the Indians. When the Indians decided young Jay Bell wasn't the answer at short, then manager Doc Edwards turned to the 36-year-old Washington.

Washington played every day until the Indians ran him into the ground. The following spring they traded Bell to Pittsburgh for shortstop Felix Fermin. Then they watched Bell turn into an All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the Pirates.

Finally: Nelson Cruz, who left Game 5 early with a tight left hamstring, was back in the Rangers' lineup Friday. He went on the disabled list three times during the regular season with hamstring problems. . . . The start of Game 6 was delayed by rain for six minutes. . . . B.J. Thomas, who had a hit single called "Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head," sang the national anthem with rain drops actually falling on his head.

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

Ramon Sessions has been playing well for the Cavaliers in the Princeton offense.

Tony Dejak / Associated PressGuard Ramon Sessions, here driving to the basket against Washington's Gilbert Arenas, averaged 14.3 points per game in the preseason.

Ramon Sessions has been the perfect understudy for the Cavaliers.

The young point guard clearly was brought in as a backcourt backup, but he has been thrust into the spotlight during the preseason, and he has shone. If the Cavs played baseball, he would be the first guy out of the bullpen.

Take Thursday night in Columbus, when starter Mo Williams left the team after the death of his father-in-law and reserve Daniel Gibson woke up with a stiff neck.

All Sessions did was start for the fifth time in eight preseason games and finish with 26 points to lead the Cavs to a 83-77 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Cleveland's preseason finale.

"I thought he played well," Cavs coach Byron Scott said of Sessions, who got four of his starts when Williams was out with a groin injury. "He was in a kind of tough situation with Mo not being here . . . and Boobie having a strained neck. He knew he would have to play some tough minutes, but I thought he played pretty well on both ends."

He did have five turnovers in 37 minutes, but Scott preferred to focus on the good things Sessions did.

"He's great in the pick-and-roll with a live dribble or out in space," Scott said. "He's great at creating, and creating for himself and his teammates."

Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles coached Sessions two seasons ago with the Bucks, so he knew what to expect Thursday night. The Bucks just weren't able to do anything to stop him.

"A lot of it was off the ball, too," Skiles said. "We were just losing track of him. He was cutting and getting easy baskets, and he pretty much had his way with us."

For the preseason, Sessions averaged 14.3 points -- tied for second highest on the team -- 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 27 minutes per game. He shot 44.1 percent (41-of-93).

Keith Srakocic / Associated PressCavs coach Byron Scott says he gets a laugh out of some of the dire predictions being made for the Cavaliers in the upcoming season. One prediction had the Cavs winning 12 games.

Looking ahead: National pundits have started issuing their predictions for the season, and one suggested the Cavs would win 12 games.

"That's funny," Scott said. "Seriously, I look at it as kind of a joke. I've been in the situation where I had a team that won 18 games the first year [New Orleans in 2004-05], and we didn't have half the talent we have here. So that's funny to me. It's kind of like a joke."

He said the Cavs will use such predications as motivation.

"I think players read all this stuff, and when we talked to most guys in the summer, they seemed to be pretty fired up about it," Scott said. "I can use it as motivation to get guys to go out and play hard because of everything said. Also, it's an us-against-the-world type of deal, and we'll use it as fuel and just go out and try to surprise everyone.

"But 12? He's out of his mind."

Even NBA Commissioner David Stern thinks the Cavs will be fine -- better than expected, in fact -- after losing LeBron James to Miami.

"I think they have a lot of players who would like to demonstrate that they can be part of a winning team," Stern said during a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon. "They're players of some accomplishment who may well have been overshadowed by one of the most glamorous and best players in the league.

"For the fans of Cleveland, they had that player, and they had him for seven years as a result of the NBA Draft and his renewed contract. Now, let's go. . . . Everybody on board, and let's see how the team can do without that player.

"I'm thinking they'll do better than most people are expecting."

Cavs special: "Unbreakable: Cleveland and their Cavaliers" is a one-hour special about the 2010-11 Cavs team and the unbreakable spirit of Cleveland that will premier at 11 p.m. next Wednesday after the team's season opener against the Boston Celtics on Fox Sports Ohio. The program is produced by Leo Simone, whose previous productions, "Make 'em Forget" and "Light It Up Like Vegas" won multiple Emmy Awards. After its debut, the program will replay at 11 p.m. Oct. 29, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and 5 p.m. Nov. 6.

Browns receiver Josh Cribbs defends the vicious style of play of Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who knocked Cribbs and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi out of the Steelers game last Sunday with concussions.

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs defended James Harrison's helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked him out with a concussion, and his vicious style of play.

In fact, he may have helped talk Harrison -- his good friend and fellow former Kent State Golden Flash -- out of retiring this week by urging him to continue playing his bone-rattling brand of football.

"He plays to knock people out," said Cribbs, who will return to action Sunday in New Orleans after Harrison's helmet- to-helmet hit knocked him out of the game against the Steelers last week with a concussion.

"Wouldn't you want a linebacker like that on your team? Honestly, a guy that you know is going to try to knock the key players out of the game?"

He also said Harrison is "a vicious linebacker, a good linebacker. If he played for our team, we'd be applauding his efforts. You don't want a guy to change his habits. And I'm just trying to be fair. He might come off wrong in the media saying he wants to hurt guys. But it's two different things saying hurt and injure."

Cribbs, who returned to practice Friday, is concerned about the NFL imposing stiffer sanctions for illegal hits and how it will impact the game. Harrison was fined $75,000 for the double-forearm blow to the head on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi that knocked him out the game and will most likely keep him from playing in New Orleans. Massaquoi hasn't practiced and is listed as doubtful.

"Like I stressed to James when I was talking to him, 'Don't change you,' " said Cribbs. "And I try to urge guys on my own team, look at the tape and be aware, but don't change the animal inside you.

"It just was a fluke weekend. A lot of guys got injured last weekend, and that's the cause for everything."

Cribbs declined to comment specifically on the Massaquoi hit "because that's my boy as well. He was injured on that play and I don't really want to comment on his hit."

Likewise, he was diplomatic about remarks made by Browns center Alex Mack, who told the Associated Press that Harrison was spearing Browns players on almost every play. "It's like you're being cheap, you're being dirty," said Mack.

Responded Cribbs: "I respect his opinion. Like I said, [Harrison is] on the opposing team. So I'm gonna roll with Alex. But at the same time, if he played with us -- and I'll just leave it at that."

Cribbs indicated if a player can't take the contact, he shouldn't play the game.

Bob Donaldson / Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAfter being fined $75,000 for his hit on Mohamed Massoquoi, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison said he was thinking of retiring. That lasted about a day as he returned to practice Thursday, bringing a smile to the face of coach Mike Tomlin.

"This is the NFL," said Cribbs. "You have to be able to take these hits and get up. That's why we get paid the way we do. It's a tough sport."

Despite coming off the concussion, Cribbs said he's not going to be timid.

"Negative," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting my head back in there and knocking people out myself, given the opportunity, you know, the correct way. I'm looking forward to getting back there in the return game and trying to break something this week."

He said he has no problem with Harrison's hit on him, even though he appeared to lead with his head and aimed at Cribbs' head.

"He had a good hit on me," he said. "I had the ball and was going down and he came in to clean me up. [Me] being a good player on our team, it's his job to try to put me out of the game. If I was a linebacker, you try to knock guys out. That's what linebackers try to do, for the most part."

He said at that moment, Harrison is not thinking about how not to hurt the ball carrier.

"He's like a heat-seeking missile," said Cribbs. "I have the football and he's targeting on me. He's not like, 'I've got to hit him properly. Let me aim at his legs.' He's just trying to get me down by any means possible. And I would do the same. I come at people like that as well -- heat-seeking missiles."

But Cribbs never drills people in the head, even on his crushing special-teams stops.

"Our games are two different games," he said. "He has to hit to pay the bills. I've got to try to score to pay my bills."

Cribbs said Harrison and Harrison's mom talked to him after the game to see how he was doing and then again after he was fined. Cribbs said he talked to Harrison for quite a while about not retiring.

"I think it meant a lot for him to hear me tell him, 'Hey, man. Go out there and play and [be you].' And I told him as well, 'Remember, we play [you] again, so don't think I forgot.' And that's just true. We're boys off the field, but when we step on that field, 'I don't know you, dog.' "

''"Cribbs, who had a mild concussion a couple of years ago but never missed time because of it, said he suffered no memory loss despite being knocked out cold on the field. The medical staff prohibited him from returning.'

"That's all I was thinking about was my team, like, 'Man, I can't come out of the Pittsburgh game, I've got to play,' " he said. "To think about it in retrospect, even if it was any other team, but not this game, I want to play this game."

Cribbs has been cleared to do everything in New Orleans. "But I can't make the call," he said. "It's gonna be up to them."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com,216-999-4670

The news sets off a predictable panic in some small-market cities whose teams have struggled on the court and at the gate.

View full sizeAPDavid Stern

Brian Mahoney / Associated Press

NEW YORK -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said Friday he thinks eliminating teams will be on the table during collective bargaining as a way to solve the league's financial woes.

"It's a sensitive subject for me because I've spent 27 years in this job working very hard not only to maintain all of our teams, but along the way add a few," Stern said during his preseason conference call.

"But I think that's a subject that will be on the table with the players as we look to see what's the optimum way to present our game, and are there cities and teams that cannot make it in the current economic environment. I'm not spending a lot of time on it."

CBSSports.com first reported Thursday that the league would "continue to be open to contraction," after Stern said he wanted player costs reduced by $700 million to $800 million.

That set off predictable panic in some small-market cities whose teams have struggled on the court and at the gate. Asked if contraction should be a chilling word in Memphis, Stern said: "No, it shouldn't be. It's a good word to use, especially in collective bargaining."

The players likely would fight contraction because of the loss of jobs it would entail.

"That would be more for them in their decision-making process than ours," union president Derek Fisher of the Lakers said. "We have a responsibility to protect as many jobs as we possibly can, so that would be more for the commissioner and the league and the owners to make a decision on contraction and numbers of teams and those things."

For now, Stern is more interested in making teams in smaller markets competitive and profitable than he is in taking them away.

"I would say that we're committed to small market teams," Stern said. "We are going to have a new CBA eventually and we're going to have a more robust revenue sharing."

The labor deal between the league and players is set to expire June 30, and Stern revealed Thursday the league wants salary costs slashed by one-third in the next agreement. The union released a statement later Thursday in which executive director Billy Hunter said the owners' stance could lead to a lockout and loss of part or all the 2011-12 season.

"I don't believe that Billy wrote that, because he wouldn't threaten me with a lockout," Stern said. "And all I can say is that's what negotiations are for and we're looking forward to our next negotiating session."

Stern disclosed other aspects that could be part of a new deal. Though the owners are seeking a hard salary cap, Stern thinks any system will continue to give teams a financial edge when re-signing their own players, which they currently enjoy through the use of the Bird exception.

The commissioner also said the idea of a "franchise player" is an interesting concept that he believes will come up in bargaining. NFL teams have a franchise tag designation they can use on their own player, something NBA owners may want after a summer in which LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire left their clubs, and Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul reportedly decided they want to do the same.

Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday the league is projecting losses of $340-$350 million this season, and Stern reiterated Friday that major economic changes are needed.

"I would say the league is viable as long as you have owners who want to continue funding losses. But it's not on the long term a sustainable business model that we're happy to be supporting," Stern said. "It needs to be reset."

Stern also provided contrasting updates on the NBA's two Northern California teams, saying he still expects the sale of the Golden State Warriors to close next week. However, his optimism for a new arena in Sacramento has "faded completely."

Otherwise, it was largely labor talk for the second straight day. And despite the large gap between the sides, Stern maintained he is still optimistic about reaching a deal.

"We know we're going to get an agreement done, and we think that the enthusiasm of the season and the prospective growth that it will ultimately represent will enable us to sit down with the players and negotiate in good faith, and we both seem intent on doing all that we can to reach a deal," he said.

AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Ontario, Calif., contributed to this report.

UPDATED: Everything is just fine deep in the heart of Texas. The Rangers beat the Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS and are going to the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

View full sizeMax Faulkner / Fort Worth Star-TelegramThe euphoric Rangers celebrate after knocking off the heavily favored New York Yankees on Friday night, putting Texas in its first World Series since the franchise joined the league in 1961.

Where the Rangers are concerned it's something that's never happened until Friday, when they beat the Yankees, 6-1, in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to win their first pennant.

Young has waited 10 years and 1,508 regular-season games for a night like Friday. The Rangers and their fans have been waiting longer. Born as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961 before moving to Texas in 1972, this is their 50th year of existence.

No big-league club has ever waited this long to reach the World Series.

On a podium set up at second base, first-year owner Chuck Greenberg, whose purchase of the bankrupt Rangers from Tom Hicks became official earlier this year, shouted to the fans, "Hey, let's do this every year!"

The crowd of 51,404 roared its approval.

View full sizeAPThe Yankees' efforts to pitch around Rangers hitter Josh Hamilton didn't work ... he was name the MVP of the ALCS.

Josh Hamilton, intentionally walked three times Friday, was named the series MVP. He hit .350 (7-for-20) with four homers and seven RBI. The Yankees walked him eight times, including an ALCS record five times intentionally.

"I don't want to talk about myself," Hamilton said. "I love my teammates and we all love the fans."

The Rangers, who outscored the Yankees, 38-19, in the series, won Game 6 in the fifth inning. Phil Hughes (0-2, 11.42) intentionally walked Hamilton with two out to put runners on first and third with the score tied, 1-1. Vladimir Guerrero, signed last winter to hit behind Hamilton and produce when the opposition wouldn't pitch to Hamilton, lined a two-run double to the wall in left center. The Rangers were on their way.

When Guerrero reached second, he gave his dugout and the fans "the claw," an outstretched arm that looks like he is taking a hook shot. The Rangers have been doing it all year after big hits.

There were more big hits coming. After David Robertson relieved Hughes, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer into the left-field seats for a 5-1 lead.

Cruz is the Rangers' "antler man." Whenever he uses his speed on the bases, he looks into the Rangers dugout, puts his hands on either side of his batting helmet and waves them like antlers. If you run like a deer, you need antlers, right?

The Rangers made it 6-1 in the seventh on Ian Kinsler's sacrifice fly after Yankees reliever and former Indian Kerry Wood issued not one, but two intentional walks. He intentionally walked Hamilton and Cruz.

The win went to Rangers starter Colby Lewis. He spent the previous two seasons in Japan, and the Yankees probably wish he would have stayed there.

View full sizeFWSTThe Yankees' Nick Swisher was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, but the home-plate umpire ruled it a wild pitch, allowing Alex Rodriguez to score from third. It was the Yankees' only run of the game.

Lewis beat New York and Hughes in Games 2 and 6. He was shaky in Game 2. Friday night he dominated the team with the $200 million payroll.

"I just thank the Rangers for bringing me back," Lewis said.

The Yankees, who hit .201 in the ALCS, scored one run against Lewis, and that was because of a blown call. Thankfully, it did not impact the outcome of the series.

Lewis (2-0, 1.98) allowed three hits in eight innings. He struck out seven and walked three. Overall, he allowed three runs and struck out 13 in 13 2/3 innings in the ALCS.

"He got it done for his teammates, for his team and for the fans," said manager Ron Washington.

Neftali Feliz finished the ninth.

The Yankees tied the game, 1-1, with a tainted run in the fifth.

Alex Rodriguez, hitting .176 in the first five games, doubled to start the inning. He went to third on Lance Berkman's fly ball and scored on what plate umpire Brian Gorman saw as a wild pitch.

The ball clearly hit Nick Swisher in the left leg. It changed directions and went through catcher Bengie Molina's legs as Rodriguez jogged home.

"This hurts," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "They beat us. They out-hit us, out-pitched us and outplayed us."

The Rangers, who hit .301 in the series, took a 1-0 lead in the first. Shortstop Elvis Andrus opened the game with a double of New York's Phil Hughes. Hamilton moved him to third with a single to left and Andrus scored on Guerrero's grounder to second.

Andrus' double ran his hitting streak to 11 games this postseason. When he reached second, he did the claw. It was a sign of good things to come.

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

Injuries in the defense should allow linebacker Andrew Sweat a chance to shine today against the Boilermakers.

View full sizeJeff Hinckley / Columbus DispatchBuckeyes linebacker Andrew Sweat (42) will get a chance to roam more freely today against Purdue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It would be a mistake to minimize Ohio State's injuries on defense against Purdue today. Adding defensive back Christian Bryant and linebacker Ross Homan to the previous losses of safeties Tyler Moeller and C.J. Barnett must have some negative effect on the Ohio State defense. But Homan's absence will allow Andrew Sweat to be himself.

The junior moved to strongside linebacker for the first time during the preseason because he proved he was the third-best linebacker on the team, and seniors Homan and Brian Rolle were locked in at weakside and middle linebacker. That meant Sweat played only in the base defense and sometimes served as a pseudo-defensive end, up at the edge of the line to seal that side, rather than running more freely and chasing down tackles like Homan and Rolle.

Now, with Homan out for at least a couple of weeks with a foot injury, Sweat will move back to the weakside -- or Will -- spot, and he should get a chance to really show what kind of player he can be.

"You definitely get more opportunities to make plays," Sweat said. "I feel more natural at Will, but it's whatever's best for the team."

He also needs to stay healthy. Sweat missed the second part of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and also missed a game earlier this season with another injury. Dorian Bell, the next option at weakside linebacker, is also out this week with a concussion, so if anything happened to Sweat, the Buckeyes would be in a tough spot. They might have to turn to walk-on Tony Jackson, or even play Etienne Sabino. The plan is to redshirt Sabino this season, but he has been dressing for all the home games and would be ready if things got desperate.

2. Will Purdue be able to run?

The Boilermakers aren't the Badgers, although right guard Ken Plue is 358 pounds. Wisconsin's offensive line, which overwhelmed Ohio State last week, is the best in the Big Ten, and Purdue also doesn't have two backs such as Wisconsin's John Clay and James White. The Boilermakers are 27th in the nation in rushing offense, however, averaging 202 yards per game, 30 yards fewer than Wisconsin and 6 fewer than the Buckeyes.

The rushing attack is more like one the Buckeyes usually can handle, though, not the pound-it-out style Wisconsin used so well. The Ohio State defensive line has plenty of reasons to play with an edge, so watch for the Buckeyes to start a new streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher. Clay ended the previous streak at 29 games last week.

3. Do you notice the Purdue second-teamers?

Ohio State's injury issues are nothing compared to Purdue. The Boilermakers have lost starting quarterback Robert Marve, No. 1 running back Ralph Bolden and top receiver Keith Smith for the season with torn ACLs. That's quite a talent drain for a midlevel program.

"It's tough because you're not only losing talented players on the field, but you're also losing those guys as far as being around and what they do as leaders," Purdue linebacker Jason Werner said. "It's unfortunate how much has happened to us, but it does happen, and you have to get past [it] and roll with it. The games keep coming."

Think about Ohio State playing without Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron and Dane Sanzenbacher, and you'll get an idea. Purdue freshman quarterback Rob Henry is 2-0 as a starter since Marve, a transfer from the University of Miami, went down against Toledo. OSU safeties coach Paul Haynes said Purdue hasn't changed its offense much with Henry in there, though he is a bit more of a runner than Marve.

"When they had the adversity, I think they got closer," Haynes said.

4. Where is Ryan Kerrigan?

The Purdue junior defensive end is the Boilermakers' best player and changed last season's upset of the Buckeyes with his pressure. OSU coach Jim Tressel noted this week that while Iowa, for instance, puts All-America defensive end Adrian Clayborn on one side of the line and usually leaves him there, Kerrigan moves around, so every OSU offensive lineman should get a chance to block him. Purdue's late shifts on the line confused the Buckeyes last season as well.

"Mentally, you have to make sure you don't jump, and you have to know who you're going to block after they move," OSU left tackle Mike Adams said.

Especially pay attention to when Kerrigan is over Ohio State right tackle J.B. Shugarts, who continues to play despite foot issues that might affect his ability to slide quickly in pass protection.

5. What to hear

For radio listeners, Paul Keels will be out for another week as the voice of the Buckeyes recovers from emergency abdominal surgery. Sideline reporter Marty Bannister will take his place as he did last week.

There's no regular-season loss in the American sports landscape that hurts so much as a college football loss. But if a perfect season is truly expected, it has rarely been delivered.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerOhio State football head coach Jim Tressel knows how a loss can be devastating to a team with national title hopes, but it's not impossible for the Buckeyes to re-enter the picture.

Tressel's Penguins did make it through the 1994 season with only a tie keeping them from perfection at 14-0-1. But his three other Division I-AA national championships included at least two losses. And only twice did he reach the playoffs at that level of college football without a loss.

Losses then were just another part of a championship season. Now in his 10th season at Ohio State, Tressel knows any loss is more often the end of championship hopes. That's what the No. 10 Buckeyes (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) are facing today against Purdue (4-2, 2-0) as they come off their first loss of the season to Wisconsin, a loss that changed what they thought they'd been aiming toward in the first half of the year.

"In general, the system that we're in now vs. the system where you have a 16-team playoff, it's maybe a little easier with the playoff scenario to buy into the, 'Hey, we've just got to get better every day,' which is what you hope you could buy into anyway," Tressel said. "But the [playoff] system kind of helps you a little bit from that standpoint. I don't know that this system helps you, but you still want to teach that concept."

Told the point of the question wasn't to argue the merits of the bowl system vs. a playoff, Tressel said sarcastically, "Obviously." But it's a reality that the current college system isn't the norm in sports, when a 14-2 season in the NFL means you're the best team in the league and a two-loss season for an elite college team usually means you came up short.

Sure, great college teams schedule more easy wins that pad their records. But when the entire season is a playoff, as it is so often said about college football these days, then it's clear that once you lose, your playoffs may be over. There's no regular-season loss in the American sports landscape that hurts so much as a college football loss.

"I think we embrace it," OSU senior receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. "We know it going into the season. Everybody is playing by the same rules. They tell us this is what we've got to do, so it's not like it sneaks up on us. We kind of know going in, being part of this university and this tradition, that it's expected of us. And we welcome that coming in as freshmen. It's a program that likes to win, and they expect us to win, so it's something we welcome."

If a perfect season is truly expected, it has rarely been delivered. In 121 years of football, only five times have the Buckeyes made it through undefeated and untied:

•1916, 7-0

•1944, 9-0

•1954, 10-0

•1968, 10-0

•2002, 14-0

It's difficult to do. And it will get that much tougher next season when the Big Ten adds a title game and a 13-0 record may be needed to play for the BCS title.

An undefeated record is not absolutely necessary. In the 12-year history of the BCS championship game, 14 of the teams to play for the title have been undefeated, nine have had one loss and one, LSU in the 2007 season, had two losses. But a team never knows when being undefeated is a must and when it isn't, so the specter of the one devastating loss hangs over every top 25 team, which adds to the intensity and excitement of every major showdown.

Undefeated Auburn will feel it against undefeated LSU today. They are among the 10 undefeated teams remaining of the 120 in the highest level of college football. So the Buckeyes' title hopes aren't 100 percent dead in the water. But whether they stay afloat is completely random and has little to do with how they perform the rest of the season.

"You go in knowing that you pretty much have to be spotless if you want to play in the national championship," OSU linebacker Andrew Sweat said. "But a lot can happen."

So Tressel preaches his "just get better" message to a team with justifiably high expectations that knows it may already be too late. There have been times in the past when the Buckeyes had teams that looked to be as good as any team in the country by the end of the season, say in 2003 or 2005, but they were doomed by early losses. It happens across the country every season.

"I'm sure that was a fun thing for a lot of people to say -- like at the end of '05 -- man, by the end of the year, we could have beaten anyone," Tressel said. "Well, that wasn't the system. The system was you were supposed to beat everyone from the beginning of the year."

So the 2003 team remains one that Tressel is particularly proud of, because after a loss in the sixth game of the season at Wisconsin, Tressel thought his players did buy into the "just get better" message, regardless of the system. Coming off a loss at Wisconsin in its seventh game, it's a template for the 2010 team.

"That was a very satisfying thing," Tressel said. "But I don't know that at the end of that [last] game, I said, 'Boy, if there was a playoff, I'm sure we'd have won it.' Well, there wasn't a playoff. You know my philosophy: I never wish for what I can't have."

In his scribbles, Terry Pluto says Colt McCoy was solid in his second start and should earn more chances to play.

Gerald Herbert / Associated PressThe Browns' defense stunningly left Drew Brees and the vaunted Saints offense as flat as the artificial turf of the Superdome on Sunday.

NEW ORLEANS -- Scribbles after the Browns stun New Orleans, 30-17.

1. None of this is to proclaim Colt McCoy as the next Brian Sipe, or even a certain NFL starter. But here's what safely can be said about the rookie from Texas -- I want to see more.

His first two starts have been in Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and not once did he look rattled or overwhelmed. His stats (9-of-16 passing, 74 yards) against the Saints were underwhelming, but he guided an offense that had no interceptions, no fumbles, one sack and one false start.

2. You may say, "big deal." But think about how terrible interceptions led to touchdowns (and losses) to Atlanta and Kansas City. A third interception set up a key touchdown in a loss at Tampa. "Self-inflicted wounds," Eric Mangini called them. But that has not been the case with McCoy.

3. The coaches say McCoy struggled in many practices and training camp as the third quarterback. He didn't receive regular work, because he was backing up Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. But when both veterans were hurt, McCoy's natural leadership showed. He was comfortable in the spotlight and under the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback. When McCoy told the offense that he "expected to play well" right before the Pittsburgh game, some veterans wondered if he could deliver. So far, he has been what the Browns want -- solid.

4. Mangini loved how McCoy took over the offense in the fourth quarter with a 20-10 lead and the ball on their 19. The Browns went on a 13-play, 50-yard drive and chewed up six minutes and scored a field goal. Peyton Hillis carried the ball eight times for 38 yards. Nothing special, but he gained three first downs. He also threw a 13-yard pass to McCoy for a first down. It was a very mature drive on the road in one of the loudest places in the NFL.

5. Phil Dawson kicked three more field goals, his biggest was at the end of the fourth quarter drive to push the lead to 23-10. That came after he kicked a 43-yarder, but it was waved off because of Eric Steinbach's false start. Dawson regrouped, and then kicked it 48 yards. Dawson is 9-of-11 this season, 28-of-32 in the last two seasons. He's a kicker who only will fully be appreciated after he's gone.

6. While fans were excited by Reggie Hodges running 68 yards on a fake punt, the real story is how Hodges has averaged 44.5 yards per punt and has a nice touch dropping the ball inside the 20.

7. Scott Fujita had a sack and was an early factor at linebacker. It's hard to figure out why the Saints let him go. Fujita has 3.5 sacks and has forced two fumbles this season. Last year, he had only one sack for the Saints as they rarely used him on the blitz. His speed makes him a natural pass rusher. He also picked off a pass. He also didn't have an interception with the Saints last season.

7. The defense deserves praise for picking off four Drew Brees passes, but the run defense also was key. The Saints gained only 58 yards and two first downs running the ball. In addition to Fujita, the Browns received excellent run defense from Ahtyba Rubin, Matt Roth and Eric Barton. Marcus Benard had a sack and three quarterback hits as he's turning into the Browns' top pass rusher. Benard has eight sacks in his first 13 pro games dating back to last season.

8. Roth is becoming one of the NFL's better linebackers, especially tough against the run. On the first interception returned for a touchdown by David Bowens -- Roth had Drew Brees by the jersey and was dragging him down, forcing the poor throw.

9. There was nothing close to a helmet-to-helmet hit, but plenty of very hard hits. Barton was flagged for unnecessary roughness, but it was not for a helmet crash. The Browns had a season-low four penalties.

10. At the bye week, the Browns have had the second toughest schedule (behind Pittsburgh). With the next two games against New England and Jets, there is no immediate relief coming.

Two steady offensive stars lead the way as the Owls chase an East Division title.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference was expected to be "The Temple of Doom" this season, with the Temple Owls dominating the conference.

They haven't quite been dominant, but the Owls (6-2, 3-1) are still one of three teams atop the East Division with one loss, and powder keg back Bernard Pierce is not only getting back in stride, he also has a prolific sidekick in tailback Matt Brown.

Against Buffalo, Pierce rushed for 106 yards and two TDs. It was the second straight week with 106 yards rushing for the sophomore tailback after working through injuries earlier in the season. That allowed teammate Brown to show his wares. He gained 109 yards in the 42-0 win over UB, giving him 613 yards on the season to 561 for Pierce.

Next up for the Owls is a home game vs. winless Akron.

D-News: When Kent State's defense is allowed to play a normal game, not stretching itself trying to prop up the offense, coach Pete Rekstis' crew can put together some eyebrow-raising numbers.

Inside the 135 yards of offense (182 yards under Bowling Green's average) and six points the Golden Flashes (3-4, 2-2) allowed BG in a 30-6 victory, we offer the following stats:

• Allowed 63 plays to a team averaging 70.2.

• 19 incomplete passes and 19 zero or negative yardage plays, which equal 60.3 percent of all plays the Falcons ran.

• Two interceptions.

• Six sacks.

• Minus 10 yards rushing.

• Five of six Kent scoring drives began inside the BG 40, the other began at the Kent 43.

After the game, BG head coach Dave Clawson said "there were times where we were overwhelmed."

Nix of time: Freshman KSU defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix might be working not only on Freshman of the Year honors, but Defensive Player of the Year as well. Against the Falcons, he had five tackles, 31/2 for lost yardage, two sacks, two quarterback hurries and one blocked kick.

On the season he has 27 tackles, 13.5 tackles for lost yardage (minus 96 yards), 81/2 sacks (minus 76 yards), seven QB hurries, four forced fumbles and one blocked kick.

By the numbers: The 2010 Akron Zips (0-8, 0-4) aren't just in danger of an 0-fer season, but of affecting Akron teams for a few years to come.

The Zips began the season already under the NCAA peak scholarship roster limit of 85, and have had at least three scholarship defections since the season began. According to Zips officials, the overall roster now rests at 88, with 73 on scholarship and 64 scholarship players available for practice.

Any postseason defections, along with the 16 departing seniors, will cut roster limits even more, as a team is allowed to hand out a maximum 25 scholarships per season.

Mid-season grayshirts such as Cuyahoga Heights QB Zack D'Orazio will also cut into that 25 scholarship total. The Akron coaching staff will have to limit the number of postseason defections as best they can, or the Zips could be playing with a short-handed scholarship roster for a few more seasons.

In Manny Harris, Samardo Samuels, Jamario Moon and Jawad Williams, the Cavs have four players who earned their way into the league the hard way.

Keith Srakocic / Associated PressSamardo Samuels is one of two Cavaliers -- along with Manny Harris -- to earn a roster spot despite not being drafted last spring. "It doesn't really matter (whether a player is drafted)," said Byron Scott. "It's just a matter of whether they can play the game."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- How big an upset was it that two undrafted rookies -- Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels -- made the Cavaliers' final roster?

OK, maybe not as big as the Browns upsetting the New Orleans Saints. But it's still pretty big.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there were just 12 undrafted rookies playing in the league last season. There were 12 such rookies in 2008-09 and 14 in 2007-08. Those are considerable drops from the 26 who played in the league in 2006-07 and the 34 in 2005-06.

Add that neither Jamario Moon nor Jawad Williams was drafted, and the Cavs have four players who earned their way into the league the hard way.

"How about that?" said General Manager Chris Grant with a smile.

So what's the secret to their success? Is there an art to finding these diamonds in the rough, which seems to be getting harder and harder to do? Not really, according to Grant. But he does take the opportunity to praise director of player personnel Wes Wilcox and his scouting staff.

"We give our scouts a lot of credit for being open-minded and continuing to evaluate and watch players and trusting their gut instincts," he said.

Part of the reason the Cavs had to dig a little deeper is that they didn't have a draft pick in 2010. Barring a trade, they knew they weren't going to have a shot at the so-called top 60 players chosen last summer. That meant they had to be ready in case any prospects slipped through the cracks -- like Harris and Samuels. How much they end up contributing is anyone's guess, but at least they have a chance to do so.

"All the credit goes to Wes Wilcox and Chris Grant and those guys for finding them," coach Byron Scott said. "They had both of those guys pretty high on the list of guys who could potentially be very, very good basketball players, and that's what this league is based on -- potential.

"Both of them have had their moments, but they both have big-time upsides. It's just a matter of them getting better. They're young, too. So they've got to come to work every day as well."

It's not as if either player just appeared on the Cavs' radar last June. They start tracking players in high school and have scouts assigned to every collegiate conference in the country. Each scout is responsible for knowing every player in that conference so that if someone becomes available, the Cavs can make a reasonable decision on whether to pursue him.

"Just because a guy's not drafted doesn't mean he can't offer something," Grant said. "Our guys have done a nice job with that."

The last thing Scott cares about is where -- or whether -- a particular player was drafted.

"No, you try to find guys who can play basketball," he said. "Undrafted or first round doesn't matter. There's a lot of success stories of guys in this league who were late second round or guys who weren't drafted but got invitations to training camp and made the team.

"It doesn't really matter. It's just a matter of whether they can play the game."

Hickson will start: Scott declared J.J. Hickson the starter at power forward on Sunday, meaning veteran Antawn Jamison will come off the bench. Scott has been pleased with how Hickson responded after the coach criticized his focus after the final preseason game. The coach also thinks a bench anchored by Jamison and Daniel Gibson can be a strength.

A preview of next week's best games, the best teams in the land and who might be the best player in the land.

Rick Bowmer / Associated PreggHeisman candidate LaMichael James will lead Oregon into Saturday's game against Southern California with the Ducks closing in on a BCS title game berth.

• Auburn, Oregon sit atop this week's BCS rankings

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A preview of next week's best games, the best teams in the land and who might be the best player in the land.

THIS WEEK'S BEST NATIONAL GAMES

(Teams listed with BCS rankings)

1. No. 2 Oregon at USC, Saturday, 8, ESPN3: This could be all that is standing between Oregon and the BCS title game. For the Trojans, who are on probation, this is their bowl game.

2. No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska, Saturday, 3:30, ESPN: Toughest regular-season game left for the Tigers, fresh off beating No. 1 Oklahoma, and the guess is that the Cornhuskers will trim the list of unbeatens even more.

3. Louisiana Tech at No. 3 Boise State, Tuesday, 8, ESPN2: Boise is a great, veteran team and deserves every consideration for the national title game, but a college power playing Louisiana Tech on a Tuesday feels odd.

THIS WEEK'S BEST BIG TEN GAMES

1. No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa, Saturday, 3:30, ABC: Hawkeyes have to get right back up after their clock debacle against Wisconsin, and the Badgers and the Buckeyes will be rooting hard for Iowa.

2. Michigan at Penn State, Saturday, 8, ESPN: Penn State freshman starting QB Rob Bolden left Saturday's game after taking a blow to the head. The Nittany Lions, whose best win this season is over Temple, would be in more trouble if he can't go.

3. No. 11 Ohio State at Minnesota, Saturday, 8, ABC: It's the Buckeyes' first trip to second-year TCF Bank Stadium, where the Golden Gophers are 4-7, including 0-4 this year.

HEISMAN WATCH

1. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn, Jr., Odds: 2-1, at Mississippi: Only threw for 86 yards against LSU, but with a big win and 200 rushing yards, he secured his spot at the top.

2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon, Soph., Odds: 4-1, at USC: Nation's leading rusher ran for 123 yards as Ducks ran up 60 points on UCLA.

3. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan, Soph., Odds: 6-1, at Penn State: Primetime at Penn State, could use another 200 pass, 200 rush game to recapture some of Newton's hype.

4. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State, Jr., Odds: 8-1, vs. Louisiana Tech: Threw for a season-high 354 yards against La Tech last season, and needs those kind of huge numbers again.

5. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State, Jr., Odds: 10-1, at Minnesota: Tied for eighth in the nation and leads the Big Ten with 18 touchdown passes.

6. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor, Soph., Odds: 25-1, vs. Texas: Has accounted for 400 yards of offense in three different games, including Saturday's win over Kansas State that moved Bears into top 25.

7. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri, Jr., Odds: 50-1, vs. Missouri: Second straight 300-yard passing game led the undefeated Tigers over BCS No. 1 Oklahoma on Saturday.

Dropped out: Oklahoma QB Landry Jones, Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez

DOUG'S TOP 25

1. Auburn; 2. Oregon; 3. Boise State; 4. Missouri; 5. TCU; 6. Michigan State; 7. Wisconsin; 8. Alabama; 9. Oklahoma; 10. Ohio State; 11. LSU; 12. Stanford; 13. Utah; 14. Arizona; 15. Nebraska; 16. Florida State; 17. South Carolina; 18. Arkansas; 19. Mississippi State; 20. Miami; 21. Virginia Tech; 22. Oklahoma State; 23. Iowa; 24. USC; 25. Baylor

Explaining my ballot

• Auburn becomes the fifth team to get my No. 1 vote, joining Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State and Oregon, after beating LSU in an undefeated showdown. Oregon was my No. 1 a week ago and put up 60 on UCLA, but Auburn's resume, with wins over LSU, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Clemson, is stronger. Still, the Tigers got only 12 of 233 first-place votes in the three major polls.

• Missouri is No. 4 after beating Oklahoma, which is their highest ranking in the AP poll. Some voters have them as low as No. 12.

• After adding a road win at Iowa to a home victory over Ohio State, Wisconsin is clearly the most deserving one-loss team in my mind, which is why the Badgers are No. 7. In all three polls, they are the second-ranked one-loss team, behind Alabama.

• Utah, No. 13 on my ballot, continues to stick in my craw. The Utes are No. 7 in both the coaches and Harris polls and No. 8 in the AP. Yes, the Utes are undefeated, but the combined record of their opponents is 14-39 and their best win is in OT over mediocre Pitt.

Lake Erie got rapid-fire goals from Greg Mauldin and Matt Ford early in the third period to claim a 3-2 victory.

HOUSTON --- Lake Erie got rapid-fire goals from Greg Mauldin and Matt Ford early in the third period to claim a 3-2 victory over the Houston Aeros Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Center.

Ford's first goal of the season came at 2:34 into the third, just 1:47 after Mauldin tied the game. Monsters goalie John Grahame had 32 saves in protecting the victory.

Lake Erie took a 1-0 lead on Ben Walter's goal 5:52 into the first, but Houston rallied to take a 2-1 lead after two periods on goals by Joel Broda at 18:20 of the first and Casey Wellman 11:22 into the second.

Anton Khudobin turned aside 30 shots for the Aeros, who drop to 2-4-1-0 with the loss.

Lake Erie's six-game, nine-day road trip came to an end with the Monsters now 3-4-0-1 with four days off before hosting the Manitoba Moose on Friday.