Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys: Who will win? We think we know (poll)

0
0

eporters and columnists at cleveland.com have made their picks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns (0-8) face the Cowboys (6-1) on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 9 of the NFL season. Kick off is at 1 p.m.

The Browns are coming off a 31-28 loss to the Jets. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles last week, 29-23.

So how will Sunday's game go? Reporters and columnists at cleveland.com have made their picks. You can make your pick in the poll below:

Dan Labbe (8-0)

Cowboys 30, Browns 20: Dallas' offensive line and running game are too much, even with the Browns taking advantage of a banged up secondary.

Mary Kay Cabot (7-1)

Cowboys 34, Browns 20: Dak wins his seventh straight as the Browns tumble to 0-9.

Doug Lesmerises (7-1)

Cowboys 30, Browns 26: Yep, a close one in Cody Kessler's return, but a fifth loss by a touchdown or less.  

Bud Shaw (5-3)

Cowboys 27, Browns 17: The Cowboys run the ball. The Browns don't stop the run. Period.

Scott Patsko (4-4)

Cowboys 31, Browns 20: The Browns play a ton of rookies. The Cowboys go for a quality over quantity approach.


LeBron James' message for Hillary Clinton supporters: Black votes matter

0
0

It's quite the political week for LeBron James and the Cavs. He will campaign with Hillary Clinton on Sunday and the team visits the White House Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA -- LeBron James' message to Hillary Clinton supporters Sunday in Cleveland could be one of encouragement for African-Americans to vote.

"A lot of times black people don't vote because they don't feel like their votes count," James told cleveland.com. "You talk to a black person and they say 'I'm not voting because I don't think my vote matters.' That's my message, that voting does matter. We just want to feel like our votes matter."

James, who endorsed Democratic nominee Clinton for president over Republican Donald J. Trump in October, will campaign with Clinton at an event that begins at 4:30 p.m. at downtown's Public Auditorium. He'll likely head from the Browns-Cowboys game (he's a long-time Dallas football fan and has more recently been supportive of the Browns, too) to the Clinton event.

Clinton's campaign is concerned about a dip in African-American turnout in the election Tuesday, which was critical to President Barack Obama's victories in 2008 and 2012.

Early voting numbers in Cuyahoga County are down 17 percent from 2012 and by 28 percent in Cleveland, two numbers that suggest black votes are sagging. James said he voted early, by mail.

LeBron's endorsement

In his written endorsement of Clinton in October, he said he was supporting her because she would continue Obama's legacy and she would do more to help struggling African-American communities. He told cleveland.com Saturday that he also supported Clinton because of Trump's public, derogatory comments toward women.

"I hope everybody has gotten their fair share of knowledge and understanding of what this is about, how important this is," James said, speaking to a group of reporters at Cavs shootaround. They play the 76ers Saturday night. "Like I said, I know who I'm for, who I'm endorsing and everyone has the right to do what they want to do."

Trump has said at campaign events that "our African American communities are absolutely in the worst shape they've ever been in before," which is false.

In a statement, Trump's Ohio spokesman Seth Unger said "Ohioans love LeBron, not just for bringing a championship to Cleveland but for the shot in the arm that he and the Cavaliers' winning ways have given to the entire region and the local economy. 

"LeBron's time in Cleveland has helped repair the damage to the Northeast Ohio economy caused by failed Clinton-Obama policies including bad trade deals that have sent Ohio jobs overseas," Unger said. "While Hillary plays up her support from Hollywood elites, recording artists, and sports stars, people in Northeast Ohio don't turn to the Clintons' celebrity friends for electoral advice." 

Trump's camp blasts Jay-Z

Most public polls show Trump leading in Ohio, though election pundits still consider the state a tossup.

This is quite the political week for James and the Cavs, who on Thursday (just two days after the election) will visit Obama at the White House in honor of their 2016 NBA championship. Cleveland plays in Washington the following evening.

It will be James' third trip to the Obama White House -- he went twice as a champion with the Miami Heat.

"It's going to be special for the simple fact that not only am I going to be there with my Cleveland teammates, but I'm there when Barack is on his way out," James said. "Like I said, he's been a great role model, especially to African-American kids. What he did was something that you never thought could be possible. Being a black president. For me to be there when he's on his way out and his last term is ending, I think that's pretty significant as well."

Tate Martell, Bubba Bolden and more: See Tweets from Ohio State's big-time visitors for Nebraska

0
0

Insider are some of the Tweets those prospects are posting on Saturday as they arrive in Columbus for the game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Every year Ohio State has major recruiting showcases for its big-time night games, so it's no surprise Urban Meyer is going to have a crowded sideline for the Nebraska game. 

But this legitimately may be the deepest list of visitors Ohio State has ever. 

Below are the visitors lists for both the 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes:

How Ohio State's major recruiting weekend is also huge for 2018: Six junior five-stars expected

Bubba Bolden, Shaun Wade and many more: Tracking Ohio State's recruiting visitors for Nebraska

And below are some of the Tweets those prospects are posting on Saturday as they arrive in Columbus for the game. 

Four-star QB Tate Martell of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman (committed):

Five-star WR Tyjon Lindsey of Bishop Gorman (committed): 

Four-star DB Bubba Bolden of Bishop Gorman (top target):

Five-star WR Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas (committed)

Five-star DE Chase Young of Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic (committed)

Four-star RB JK Dobbins of La Grange, Texas (committed)

Five-star ATH Jaylin Simpson of Saint Simmons Island (Ga.) Frederica Academy (2019 target)

St. Ignatius, Medina and Revere win soccer regional championships

0
0

St. Ignatius and Medina will face off Nov. 9 at Strongsville High School.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Several local high schools competed for Ohio High School Athletic Association regional titles Saturday in boys soccer. 

St. Ignatius 2, Massillon Jackson 0


St. Ignatius, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, defeated Jackson to win the Division I, Region 1 regional title at Nordonia High School. The Wildcats are one step closer to winning their third straight D-I state title and second consecutive USA Today crown.


After a scoreless first half, a Jackson mistake changed the complexion of the game. With 39:15 minutes left, a St. Ignatius shot deflected off a Jackson defender into the net for own goal.


St. Ignatius senior Stephen Milhoan, Ohio’s reigning D-I player of the year, added an insurance goal with 14:20 remaining in the game.


St. Ignatius (19-0-2) will play Medina (17-1-2) on Nov. 9 at Strongsville High School in a state semifinal.


Medina 3, Sylvania Northview 1


Justin Libertowski had a big game for the Bees. He scored three goals as Medina won the Division I, Region 2 regional title at Sandusky High School.


Assisting on Libertowski’s goals were Matt Evison and Riley Furey.


Tyler Biggs scored Northview’s goal. Northview’s season ends with a 14-3-1 record.


Medina out-shot Northview 8-5 and also had the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.


Medina (17-1-2) will play USA Today’s top team in the nation, St. Ignatius, on Nov. 9 at Strongsville High School.


Revere 2, Lake Catholic 0


Junior Zack Kasson scored two first half goals to lead Revere to the D-II, Region 5 championship at Solon High School.


Revere junior goalkeeper Charlie Fink had four saves in the game to preserve the victory.


Lake Catholic’s season ends with a 12-6-3 record.


Revere (15-3-3) will play the winner of Celina/Oak Harbor on Nov. 9 at a site to be determined.


Kirdon Central Catholic 2, Kirtland 0


Kirtland appeared to score a goal in the seventh minute of the game but a controversial offside call negated the goal in the Division III, Region 9 championship game.


The game remained scoreless until the 61st minute when Central Catholic’s Elijah Steffen scored on a free kick. In the 76th minute, Central Catholic sealed the victory on a goal by Taylor Zuniga.


Kirtland’s season ends with a 16-4-1 record. Central Christian (19-0-2) advances to face Mansfield Christian on Nov. 9.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Live updates and chat Game 6

0
0

Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter

Game 6: Cavs (5-0) vs. 76ers (0-4)

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; 1100 WTAM AM; 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving.

76ers probable starting lineup: Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Joel Embiid, Gerald Henderson, Sergio Rodriguez.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here

Browns vs. Cowboys: Corey Coleman's return, Dak Prescott's on a roll and 3 other things to watch

0
0

Dak Prescott is on a roll, Ezekiel Elliott leads the NFL in rushing and three other things to watch in Browns vs. Cowboys.

Cleveland Indians' Chris Antonetti, Mike Chernoff riding wave of emotions from World Series Game 7 to start of the offseason

0
0

The moment Anthony Rizzo placed the game's final baseball in his back pocket, the Indians' offseason commenced. Time to think about qualifying offers and club options and arbitration. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Like everyone else in attendance, watching on TV or listening on the radio, the Indians' front office duo of Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff rode a wave of emotions during Game 7 of the World Series.

They were sitting in a suite together in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Rajai Davis launched a game-tying, two-run homer to left field.

Chernoff: "Sitting wouldn't be the right word."

Antonetti: "We weren't sitting long when he hit the home run."

Was it difficult to contain their emotions?

Antonetti: "I didn't even try."

Chernoff: "I almost fell out of the booth that we were in."

Antonetti: "If your heart isn't going in those moments, then you're not really alive."

Unfortunately for them, the Indians fell short two innings later. The moment Anthony Rizzo placed the game's final baseball in his back pocket, the Indians' off-season commenced. The World Series had ended. No trophy or parade. Instead, time to think about qualifying offers and club options and arbitration.

"I don't know exactly when we'll catch up on sleep," Antonetti said, "but we'll deal with that at some point in December or some point down the road. What we've tried to do during the course of the postseason is spend any resources to help our major-league team prepare in advance. But we've also operated on parallel paths, where there have been members of our baseball operations group who have been focused on off-season planning."

Indians balancing disappointment with optimism

The Indians' advancement to the season's last possible game has certainly shortened the transition to the winter task list. The team already exercised its 2017 option on Carlos Santana and declined its option on Coco Crisp. The team has until Monday to submit a qualifying offer to Mike Napoli and/or Rajai Davis. The league's general manager meetings also take place next week in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The team also completed a front-office shakeup, as Derek Falvey officially starts his new gig as executive vice president and chief baseball officer of the Minnesota Twins. As a result, Carter Hawkins and Matt Forman have each ascended to the role of assistant general manager.

Antonetti said he does not expect Falvey to poach any front-office personnel from the Indians.

The league's free agency period begins on Tuesday. Don't anticipate any massive splashes on that front, though Antonetti indicated that postseason revenue could create a bit of additional payroll flexibility. The influence of new minority owner John Sherman, on the other hand, isn't expected to "fundamentally change how we operate," Antonetti said.

"But to the extent our revenues increase, whether it's through postseason ticket sales or increased ticket sales for next year, that will have a positive impact on it," he said.

Beyond the Napoli and Davis decisions, the front office will have to piece together a formidable outfield, bolster the roster with depth and consider long-term contract extensions for its younger players, Francisco Lindor included.

There is plenty on the to-do list, and less time than usual to complete each task. Antonetti and Chernoff will take the trade-off, though. They wouldn't mind having another short transition next year. They would just prefer it ends with their own first baseman stuffing the final baseball into his back pocket.

"We are all hyper-competitive people," Antonetti said. "We all want to be hoisting that World Series trophy, so it hurt when we lost. ... Tito and the players, the entirety of the organization, you can't help but feel that pain.

"But with the benefit of a couple days, you can begin to think about a great sense of pride and accomplishment in what our team was able to overcome. And all of the hard work from an inordinate number of people, from our scouts to our development staff to our front office to our trainers, our clubhouse guys. Every single person in the organization contributed to our success.

"We went to Game 7 of the World Series. That in and of itself is an accomplishment. Not the ultimate one we're striving for, but still a great organizational accomplishment."

Indians pick up Francona's options through 2020

After slow start to season, physical running attack has helped lead STVM football into regional semifinals (video)

0
0

St. Vincent-St. Mary has relied on a power rushing attack and defense to reach the Division III, Region 9 semifinals.

DOVER, Ohio — St. Vincent-St. Mary’s football team suffered a three-game losing streak in the middle of its 2016 season. In losses to Canada Prep, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Archbishop Hoban, STVM was outscored, 82-23.

Since then, the Irish have won five of their last six games, including Saturday’s 42-7 win vs. Dover in a Division III, Region 9 quarterfinal.


In the win, STVM showcased portions of its identity that coach Marcus Wattley has helped use to turn the Irish around this season.


“I think it became who we are,” Wattley said. “I like the fact that it set the tone for us offensively and defensively. It kind of matches my personality, and what we want to do is grind the clock out, play defense and win games.”


The type of team forged in Wattley’s personality rushed for 323 yards and six touchdowns. Myles Williams had three, going for 153 yards on 20 carries.


“My coach continues to tell me get what I can get. If it’s long yardage or short yardage, we’ll take whatever. We just roll with it,” Williams said.


Throughout the game, the STVM offensive line continued to generate a good push and gave Williams, as well as Terrence Keyes and others some room to run.  




The Irish’s six-week turnaround hasn’t been just about the offense. They have allowed just one team to score more than 20 points. Among the teams they slowed down were last year’s Division IV runner-up Steubenville and Cleveland Heights.


Dover entered Saturday’s game scoring at least 24 points in every game this season, including five 40-point games. Saturday, the Tornadoes only scored seven points against the Irish defense.


“We knew we had to minimize big plays,” Wattley said. “We knew the quarterback was accurate. So we said if we can make them hold the ball an extra second, our D-line will get there. And if the D-line gets there early, we can make plays in the secondary.”


Did J.T. Barrett play differently in Ohio State's blowout win over Nebraska?

0
0

"A greedy guy, I know he misfired on a couple, too, but J.T. played fantastic and he was very sharp, spread the ball, spread the entire (team)," Urban Meyer said. "We finally hit some downtown shots, too. ... He played fantastic." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's a chance -- OK, a very small chance -- that J.T. Barrett is looking forward to Monday morning this week. 

Ohio State usually brings the junior quarterback out to take questions from the media during that morning every week, and for the past month, it has been nothing but questions about timing, the deep ball, conservativeness, check-downs, misfires and, for one of those weeks, a loss. 

Those questions were warranted.

There were things clearly off in Ohio State's passing game. 

But you couldn't get through Monday morning meetings with Barrett without feeling that the quarterback was annoyed. 

"It's not like I was frustrated," Barrett said after Ohio State's 62-3 dismantling of Nebraska on Saturday night. "I was just trying to do my best to explain what was happening on the field."

Frankly, what was happening on the field during the previous month was hard to watch, regardless of whether people understood the technical X's and O's of what was hindering Ohio State from moving the football through the air. 

So maybe Barrett's most recent game was therapeutic for him, even if he's not willing to admit it. His stat line: 26-of-38 passing for 290 yards and four touchdowns. There's really nothing to question. 

J.T. Barrett vs. NebraskaJ.T. Barrett threw for 290 yards and had four touchdowns against Nebraska.  

Which means that had to be Barrett's best game of the season, right? Against what was supposedly a top-10 team, Barrett was confident, he spread the ball around to an array of different receivers, he took shots -- and completed them -- downfield and he protected the football. 

"Honestly," Barrett said. "Ya'll don't bother me. It's not like I was trying to complete (a deep ball) so ya'll would stop asking me about it." 

It probably helps his psyche that Ohio State is heading into the most critical part of its schedule -- November -- coming off an aesthetically pleasing offensive onslaught in which the passing game seemed to make every adjustment imaginable.

It was clear Ohio State was different in the first quarter when Barrett threw a perfectly-placed pass on 3rd-and-20 to Dontre Wilson to get just enough for the first down. It was a big-boy throw launched with confidence. 

But did Barrett play differently? He doesn't think so. 

"For me, myself, I don't think I played any differently," Barrett said. "I think the past couple weeks I was seeing the defense well and trying to do my best to make great decisions out there. We were taking shots down field, but (we weren't completing them) because of coverage. 

"(Nebraska) allowed us to do that because they were playing hard to stop the run and we took shots downfield, where in past weeks it wasn't like that." 

Despite the fact Barrett missed a few other shots downfield that would have turned into touchdowns -- maybe as many as four? -- the quarterback played perhaps the most perfectly complete game he could have against the Cornhuskers. 

Barrett was hard to sack, he kept his eyes downfield while on the move, and the passing attack was so successful, he only had to run the ball eight times. Usually when Ohio State isn't functioning at its optimum level, you see a high number of Barrett carries. 

"A greedy guy, I know he misfired on a couple, too, but J.T. played fantastic and he was very sharp, spread the ball, spread the entire (team)," Urban Meyer said. "We finally hit some downtown shots, too. ... He played fantastic." 

Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys: Live updates and chat

0
0

Join in the discussion in the comment section during the game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns (0-8) face the Cowboys (6-1) on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 8 of the NFL season. Kick off is at 1 p.m.

The Browns are coming off a 31-28 loss to the Jets. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles last week, 29-23.

Join in the discussion in the comment section during the game, where you can chat with other fans and see Tweets from Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Scott Patsko. The game will be broadcast live on CBS.

Browns vs. Cowboys: Who will win?

Browns vs. Cowboys preview video

Dez Bryant says Terrelle Pryor has 'shocked the world,' Jamie Collins to start and more

0
0

Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor drew high praise from Cowboys Pro Bowler Dez Bryant, Jamie Collins will start vs. Cowboys in his debut and more.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terrelle Pryor said this week he hasn't watched much film of Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, but Bryant has sure seen plenty of Pryor.

"The things he's done, he's shocked the world in my eyes, from switching over to quarterback to wide receiver, that's not easy,'' Bryant told reporters in Dallas this week. "The only easy thing that you get out of that is you can see the field good, but the way he's transitioning himself to wide receiver, he looks like a wide receiver, like he's been doing it since yea high.

"He's out here making big plays like he's done it before. He looks like an elite receiver in this league and that's how he's playing and give credit to him. He's a damn good football player."

Both players were limited in practice this week heading into the game. Pryor is still working through a hamstring injury and Bryant, the two-time Pro Bowler, has knee and back issues.

Pryor is tied for 14th in the NFL with a 41 receptions. He also leads the Browns with 532 yards and 3 TDs, meaning he's on pace for a 1,000-yard season.

Jamie Collins to start

Browns new linebacker Jamie Collins will start in his NFL debut for the Browns. He replaced Cam Johnson. Ray Horton said this "we're expecting a lot from him'' and Collins' teammates are thrilled to have him.

"We have another weapon on our defense that we can just use him so we can be able to make a lot of plays,'' said Joe Haden. "He's really good at forcing fumbles, punching balls out, I can see that at practice.''

I mean, the dude's just running around, he's just punching balls out left and right, so just seeing that, just showing people that we've got to get after the ball, we've got to force turnovers, just having him out there with that energy, I think it helps us out a lot and it shows that we're still -- the season isn't over for us. We've got eight more games left and I know I'm excited because I still have a lot of stuff to prove about how I want to finish out the season.''

Ray Horton on Jamie Collins: 'We're expecting a lot from him''

Cam Erving, Ricardo Louis active

Erving is active with his shoulder injury and Ricardo Louis is active with his hamstring.

Hue Jackson said this week that if Erving can't play center, they'll try him at tackle. He said he thinks he can be the Browns' center of the future, but they have to know.

With Corey Coleman back at the starting X receiver spot, Louis is backing up Pryor at the Z, or on the strongside, closest to the tight end.

Louis said he injured the hamstring in practice on Thursday.

Inactives

The following players are inactive for the Browns: rookie quarterbacks Joe Callahan and Kevin Hogan, linebacker Corey Lemonier, offensive linemen Gabe Izard and Jonathan Cooper, receiver Jordan Payton and defensive lineman Stephen Paea.  

Week 11 AP college football poll: Bill Landis ballot

0
0

Here's how I see the top 25 teams in college football after 10 weeks of games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Might Ohio State move into the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings this week? I'll give my thoughts on that below along with my ballot for this week's Associated Press top 25 poll:

* I still have Alabama No. 1 this week, but truly think things are about as close as they can be between the Crimson Tide and Clemson. The Tigers have good wins over Auburn, Florida State and Louisville. Alabama has wins over Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee and one over USC that's looking a little better with the Trojans now at 6-3.

* Here's a prediction this week that will probably be wrong: Ohio State will move up to No. 4 in the AP poll, but won't make that jump in the playoff rankings.

I'm always interested in how AP voters will change their ballots once the playoff rankings start. I think voters will anticipate Ohio State taking over that Texas A&M spot as the best one-loss team in the country. But the committee will have Washington at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 5. That's why I voted that way in my ballot this week.

* Who is the best of the two-loss teams? I have Wisconsin there now with losses to Michigan and Ohio State by a combined 14 points. Auburn had a hiccup against Vanderbilt but is still winning, and Penn State seems to be really surging after beating Ohio State. I still like the Badgers as the top team in that group.

Here's my ballot for this week. The AP poll will come out around 2 p.m.

1. Alabama (9-0)

2. Clemson (9-0)

3. Michigan (9-0)

4. Washington (9-0)

5. Ohio State (8-1)

6. Louisville (8-1)

7. Wisconsin (7-2)

8. Auburn (7-2)

9. Penn State (7-2)

10. Colorado (7-2)

11. Utah (7-2)

12. Oklahoma (7-2)

13. LSU (5-3)

14. Texas A&M (7-2)

15. West Virginia (7-1)

16. Western Michigan (9-0)

17. North Carolina (7-2)

18. Nebraska (7-2)

19. Boise State (8-1)

20. Virginia Tech (7-2)

21. Oklahoma State (7-2)

22. Washington State (7-2)

23. Arkansas (6-3)

24. San Diego State (8-1)

25. Florida (6-2)

Browns center Cameron Erving part of double ejection after fight with Cowboys' David Irving

0
0

The Browns were forced to make yet another in-game change at center.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns center Cameron Erving was ejected in the first quarter on Sunday after getting into a scuffle with Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving, who was also ejected.

The incident happened on the Browns opening drive. They faced third-and-8 at the Cowboys 13-yard line when Cody Kessler scrambled to his left and threw incomplete to Andrew Hawkins in the end zone. Meanwhile, on the right side of the field, Erving and Irving had to be separated. Erving pulled off Irving's helmet after the play.

via GIPHY

The ejection forced the Browns to move guard John Greco back to center, here he played earlier this season when Erving missed time to injury.  Alvin Bailey replaced Greco at guard.

Best QB in Cleveland? Jayden Cunningham makes supporters’ case with OHSAA football playoff performance

0
0

Few can boast Jayden Cunningham's performance Saturday: 288 yards and four touchdowns rushing, 347 yards passing and two fourth-quarter drives to lift US to a 49-45 Division III, Region 10 win.

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Ben Malbasa does not hold back when he brags about junior quarterback Jayden Cunningham.

The University School football coach called Cunningham the best he’s coached, and Malbasa has coached a few at Benedictine and Elyria Catholic.


Few quarterbacks coached by anyone can boast the performance put up Saturday night by Cunningham: 288 yards and four touchdowns rushing, 347 yards passing and two fourth-quarter drives to lift US to a 49-45 Division III, Region 10 win at fourth-seeded Bowling Green.


“I said at the beginning of the year, I think he’s the best in the Cleveland area,” Malbasa said. “I said in pregame to the radio guy, I happen to think he’s the best QB in the state. And when I bragged, he sure showed me right.”


Entering this season, Cunningham had yet to receiver a college offer. He already had one blistering sophomore season behind center for the Preppers. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior has since added multiple MAC offers and bigger schools are starting to notice, Malbasa said.


Cunningham’s next game provides a chance, or tall task, of evading a Toledo Central Catholic defense that includes 6-5, 280-pound Michigan recruit James Hudson. They will meet Saturday, Nov. 12 at Huron’s Kalahari Field.


Hudson and the Fighting Irish, the top seed in Region 10 and No. 1-ranked school in the state by The Associated Press, dismantled Bay in the first round. Central Catholic’s 41-7 win wasn’t too different on the scoreboard compared to the Preppers’ 35-16 win against the Rockets in Week 2, save for the mercy rule running clock courtesy of Michael Warren III and Co.


“Last night in Northwest Ohio, you saw a lot of teams that were higher seeds fall after having big leads, so that really caught our kids’ attention,” Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey said


Medina provided one of those upsets in Division I by beating Toledo Whitmer, 38-31. Dempsey’s Fighting Irish, although much smaller, also beat Whitmer by a convincing 49-28 score. They also finished seventh in cleveland.com’s Ohio Super 25, which ranks the state’s best teams regardless of division.



That is what awaits US (8-3), which is in the playoffs for a sixth time in its 127-year history and the first since 2011.


Malbasa spent time this summer searching school archives, adding football results to a spreadsheet. Late Saturday night at Bowling Green, after his team fought back from a 42-28 deficit in the fourth quarter, Malbasa told his players they just won the greatest game in school history.


“There’s no way there’s been a better one men,” he told them.


Malbasa continued by reciting what it took for US to achieve the feat.


Cunningham’s 635 yards of total offense, which included a 12-play, 98-yard drive with the Preppers down 10 and just five minutes to go.


US totaled 679 yards. A few of it not supplied by Cunningham came from hobbled junior running back Joe Kadlic, who scored two touchdowns.


There were the fourth-down conversions, one that forced Malbasa to call timeout because, “If we don’t get this, it’s over.”


US walked a tightrope with Cunningham tip-toeing through a defense that’s seen bigger playoff teams.


“He’s amazing,” said senior receiver Antonio Dargaj, who caught nine passes for 129 yards. “He is the best quarterback in the state.”


Added freshman Nic Pujolas, who caught a few fourth-down passes: “Dime after dime perfect passes. He knows the game so well, it’s insane.”


Cunningham ran plays with five receivers for much of the night and utilized all five of them. He said this was the best game he’s ever played, just part of his continued maturation.


“It’s getting slower,” he said, “and that’s due to all of my coaches helping me see the field and making plays.”


None was bigger than Cunningham’s 46-yard run that handed US the lead with 40 seconds left. He took a shotgun snap, met a wall of defenders but spun out of their grip to outrun linebackers and defensive backs before diving to the end zone pylon.


In the process, Cunningham proved his supporters right and gave them another week in the season.



Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Ohio State football: Buckeyes remain No. 6 in the latest Associated Press Poll

0
0

After a 62-3 blowout of Nebraska, Ohio State remained No. 6 in the most recent AP Poll, which was released on Sunday afternoon.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The real rankings are released Tuesday night. You know, the College Football Playoff rankings, the only ones that matter in any way in college football. 

But the Associated Press poll can hold you over for the next 48 hours. 

After a 62-3 blowout of Nebraska, Ohio State remained No. 6 in the most recent AP Poll, which was released on Sunday afternoon. 

Alabama stayed No. 1 after a 10-0 win at LSU on Saturday. The Crimson Tide were followed, in order, by Michigan, Clemson, Washington and Louisville. 

The AP Poll voters illustrated once again how much different they think than the College Football Playoff committee. In general, you'll see movement based on wins and loses in the AP Poll, but not wholesale changes based on original thinking on a weekly basis. 

If you want to know what Ohio State's big win really means for the Buckeyes, read the link below: 

Ohio State's domination of Nebraska, Texas A&M's loss and what it means for the College Football Playoff race

Bill Landis' week 11 AP ballot

ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL

1. Alabama, 9-0

2. Michigan, 9-0

3. Clemson, 9-0

4. Washington, 9-0

5. Louisville, 8-1

6. Ohio State, 8-1

7. Wisconsin, 7-2

8. Auburn, 7-2

9. Oklahoma, 7-2

10. Texas A&M, 7-2

11. West Virginia, 7-1

12. Penn State, 7-2

13. Utah, 7-2

14. Western Michigan, 9-0

15. North Carolina, 7-2

16. Colorado, 7-2

17. Oklahoma State, 7-2

18. Virginia Tech, 7-2

19. LSU, 5-3

20. Florida State, 6-3

21. Nebraska, 7-2

22. Florida, 6-2

23. Washington State, 7-2

24. Boise State, 8-1

25. Baylor, 6-2

AMWAY COACHES' POLL

1. Alabama, 9-0

2. Clemson, 9-0

3. Michigan, 9-0

4. Washington, 9-0

5. Ohio State, 8-1

6. Louisville, 8-1

7. Wisconsin, 7-2

8. Auburn, 7-2

9. Oklahoma, 7-2

10. West Virginia, 7-1

11. Texas A&M, 7-2

12. Utah, 7-2

13. North Carolina, 7-2

14. Penn State, 7-2

15. Colorado, 7-2

16. Florida, 6-2

17. Oklahoma State, 7-2

18. Florida State, 6-3

19. Louisiana State, 5-3

20. Nebraska, 7-2

21. Western Michigan, 9-0

22. Virginia Tech, 7-2

23. Washington State, 7-2

24. Boise State, 8-1

25. Baylor, 6-2


Ohio State football: Experience what it was like to run through Buckeyes tunnel vs. Nebraska

0
0

The Buckeyes released a video on Sunday giving you a look at what it's like to run through the team tunnel. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football is doing some really cool stuff with its video team this season.

The latest is an immersive experience to see what it was like on Saturday night to run through the team tunnel before the Buckeyes game against Nebraska.

Watch the video above for a 360-degree view of the run down the tunnel and onto the field. And look below for a first-person view of the final seconds of Urban Meyer's pregame speech and the run down the tunnel.

Dallas Cowboys finding their rhythm against Browns D -- Bud Shaw's Halftime Take

0
0

The Dallas Cowboys had their way offensively, building a 21-3 lead at the half. The Browns will have to pass their way back into the game because the Dallas offensive doesn't look like it's going to get stopped anytime soon.

 CLEVELAND, Ohio - Halftime observations from the lakefront, where the Cowboys lead the Browns, 21-10...

* The Browns won the toss and - for a change and for good reason - took the ball.

This is not a team you want to get behind early (or late) given how well the Cowboys run the ball.

Hue Jackson had some creativity in mind as it turned out. The big play was a 44-yard pass from Cody Kessler to Isaiah Crowell out of a gimmick formation.

But the best the Browns could get out of all that strategizing was a field goal.

* Cam Erving, we hardly knew ye.

Erving's scrap with Dallas defensive end David Irving ended with both players ejected.

Not that John Greco moving to center hurts the Browns a whole lot, but if there's another injury in the interior of the Browns line in the second half an already short-handed situation could get even dicier.

* Erving doubled back on Kessler's scramble and blocked Irving to the ground. Irving pulled Erving down.  Irving appeared to punch Erving, who pulled off Irving's helmet and threw it at him.

Hope that clears things up.

* The Cowboys are playing without cornerback  Morris Claiborne and safety Barry Church.

So the Browns wanted to throw it against Dallas, much as they wanted to throw it last week against the Jets.

The Cowboys, who get the ball first in the second half, scored another touchdown late in the first half on another blown coverage. Cody Kessler engineered a seven-play 80 yard drive that ended in a 12-yard TD pass to Terrelle Pryor.

One more Cowboys TD and the Browns basically won't have much choice except to throw.

* The Browns got lucky (relatively speaking) on a no-call pass interference by Joe Haden on Dez Bryant in the end zone. Haden grabbed Bryant's left arm as he tried to reach for Dak Prescott's pass.

But that didn't much matter when Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott scored from 10 yards out anyway.

* Jamie Collins' debut was noteworthy. Collins, who came in a trade with New England this week, lost Jason Witten in coverage on a 26-yard TD.

He tackled Elliott for a loss late in the second half, then took a bad angle on Elliott on the same series as the Cowboys picked up yet another third-down conversion.

* One take on the Collins trade is the Patriots moved him because they didn't think he would embrace a part-time role and was headed for one based on sub-par work against the run.

* Collins went from a 7-1 team on a bye week to a 0-8 team facing the Cowboys and Elliott.

In other words, don't let Jamie Collins pick your Lotto numbers.

This crazy Browns formation resulted in the biggest first-half play vs. the Cowboys

0
0

One of Hue Jackson's signature formations went for a big gain against the Cowboys.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Hue Jackson is known for creative formations on offense. He has used them numerous times this season with the Browns. On Sunday against the Cowboys, one of Jackson's signature formations worked perfectly.

The Browns faced first-and-10 at their own 41-yard line on the opening drive of the game when Cody Kessler lined up in a shotgun behind only his center and guards. Both tackles were split out wide with receivers and tight ends. It's a play Browns fans have seen before this season.

via GIPHY

Instead of looking for a wide receiver on a slant or screen, running back Isaiah Crowell was the first read. Crowell lined up behind the guards before the snap, then ran uncovered past the line and the linebackers, making him an easy target for Kessler. The play went for 44 yards and helped give the Browns an early 3-0 lead.

Ezekiel Elliott signaled O-H-I-O after scoring a TD against the Browns

0
0

The former Ohio State star saluted Buckeyes fans on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cowboys were playing a road game Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, but you wouldn't have known it by looking at the jerseys in the crowd. And many of those jerseys said Elliott on the back.

The former Ohio State running back knew his audience on Sunday against the Browns, and did the customary O-H-I-O salute to Buckeye fans after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter.

Elliott, the NFL's leading rusher this season, finished the first half with 65 yards on 12 carries in his first professional game back in Ohio.

Browns blistered by Cowboys' Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in 35-10 loss, fall to 0-9

0
0

The Browns defense was overmatched by the Cowboys' star-studded offense in a 35-10 loss at FirstEnergy Stadium.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Not even the addition of linebacker Jamie Collins was enough for the Browns to slow Dak Prescott, Zeke Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys' star-studded offense.

The overmatched Browns lost 35-10 Sunday to drop to 0-9. It marks their worst start to a season since 1975, when they started 0-9 and finished 3-11.

Their 12 straight losses dating back to last season also set the record for longest losing streak in the history of the franchise.

They surrendered 423 yards to the high-powered Cowboys.

Elliott, the former Ohio State running back, burned them for 92 yards on 18 carries and two TDs. He blasted through tackle attempts and left defenders grasping at air. Elliott runs behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, but he did plenty of damage on his own.

Prescott, a quarterback the Browns passed over eight times in the draft, completed 21-of-27 attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns for a 141.8 rating. He won his seventh straight game to improve the Cowboys to 7-1.

He said he wakes up every day motivated "to prove everyone wrong'' for passing on him until the fourth round.

He certainly made the Browns pay for not taking him seriously in the pre-draft process. Prescott is currently the best rookie quarterback in the NFL and the second Rookie of the Year candidate the Browns passed on this season. The first was Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, whom they passed on at No. 2 overall.

The Browns are in jeopardy of becoming the first team since the Lions in 2008 to go 0-16.

"My hat's off to the Cowboys," Browns coach Hue Jackson said after the game. "It starts with me. We have to coach better and get them to play better, put them in better situations.

"There are some things I know we can do better and will do better; but there are some things that keep rearing their ugly heads.

"It starts with me getting our players and everybody involved in this organization to do this right. We have to slow the run down, and we have to control the other team's better players. We just have to get better in some areas. . . We just keep working at it. There no other players that are going to walk in here."


Zeke's big day

Elliott had his way with the Browns and embarrassed the defense all afternoon. After his first TD, he signaled O-H-I-O and again walked off the field.

With 10:02 left in the half, he stretched the ball over the right pylon for a 10-yard TD that increased the Cowboys' lead to 14-3. Elliott ran through safety Tracy Howard for the score, his sixth of the season. With 11:30 left in the third quarter, Elliott rushed for an 8-yard TD that made it 28-10. On the run, he left Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun grasping at air at the 11. By halftime, Elliott had 12 runs for 65 yard and the TD.       

Collins' debut

Collins had an up-and-down day in his Browns debut. Tight end Jason Witten got behind him for a 26-yard touchdown catch that put the Cowboys up 7-3 with 6:47 left in the first quarter. He also missed a few tackles, including one on a 6-yard run by Elliott that converted a third and 1. But he made five tackles in the first half, including dropping Elliott for a 3-yard loss. Collins, who finished with eight tackles, hit Prescott once to force an incompletion, but he wasn't as impactful as the Browns had hoped.

"He's learning how we do things," Jackson said after the game. "I thought he went out there and fought. . . There will be some good tape to watch from Jamie."


Witten unstoppable

The Browns had no answer for Witten, the Cowboys' 10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall-of-Fame tight end. He finished with eight catches for 134 yards and a TD. By halftime, Witten had five catches for  66 yards and the 26-yard TD catch.  On the opening play of the third quarter, he caught a 35-yard pass that led to Elliott's 8-yard TD run.

Corey Coleman's return

Receiver Corey Coleman's return from his broken hand didn't make as big an impact as the Browns had hoped. He finished with three catches for 41 yards and was targeted seven times. 

Terrelle Pryor's TD

Pryor caught a 12-yard TD pass with with 23 seconds left in the half to trim the Browns' deficit to to 21-10. It gave the Browns a bit of hope, but little did they know it would prove to be one of the only offensive highlights of the game. Pryor finished with five catches for 47 yards and a TD.

Cody Parkey's missed FG

As if things weren't bad enough for the Browns, kicker Cody Parkey hit the left upright early in the second quarter to prevent the Browns from closing the gap to 7-6.

Blown coverages

On two of the Cowboys' TDs, the receivers were so wide open that they could've re-tied their shoes before making the catch. With 1:50 left in the half, Cole Beasley caught a 6-yard TD after a miscommunication between Joe Haden and Tramon Williams.

With 1:41 left in the third quarter, tight Gavin Escobar was left wide open on the left side of the end zone for a 2-yard TD that made it 35-10.

Erving and Irving ejected

Cowboys defensive end David Irving and Browns center Cam Erving were both ejected with 12:44 left in the first quarter after they mixed it up after a third down incompletion. Irving tried to sit on Erving, and the center pulled off the defensive end's helmet and whipped it at him. Both were immediately penalized and ejected. With Erving gone, John Greco moved to center, Spencer Drango went to left guard and Alvin Bailey played right guard. The ejection was unfortunate, because the Browns are trying to determine if Erving is their center of the future. 

"You can't throw the helmet," Jackson said after the game. "There's a chance Cam could stay out there if he doesn't throw the helmet. That's something I talked to Cam about when he came over there is, you can't retaliate. . . That's a lesson we have to learn and something we can't do."


Carl Nassib eye

Browns defensive end Carl Nassib left the game in the third quarter with an eye injury and didn't return.
 
Next up

The Browns have a tight turnaround. They travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens on Thursday night in the NFL Network game.

"One thing about this group: They're not giving up," Jackson said. "They're fighting. We're just not doing it as well as I think we can. . .Our guys will come in here and we'll move on and get ready for Baltimore."

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images