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

Akron Zips pull out MAC opener over Bowling Green, 89-84

0
0

Akron knocked down 10-of-22 3-pointers to hold off Bowling Green in the MAC opener for both teams Wednesday, 89-84.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips rode their 3-point accuracy to an 89-84 victory over Bowling Green in Rhodes Arena on Tuesday in the Mid-American Conference men's basketball opener for both teams.

With both teams shooting better than 50 percent for the game, and the undersized Falcons dominating the paint behind sophomore center Demajeo Wiggins' 21 points, Akron needed all of its 10 3-pointers.

Jimond Ivey's two free throws with 10.8 seconds to play -- the last of his team-leading 23 points -- followed by his game-sealing rebound locked down the victory for Akron (11-3, 1-0).

Bowling Green falls to 6-8 overall.

The first half: Akron fell behind early as Bowling Green's backcourt size and quickness was equal to Akron's, and the full-court pressure created five turnovers inside the first three minutes of the game. That allowed the Falcons to build an 8-0 lead.

Once Akron settled down enough to start getting shots up, 6-10 center Isaiah Johnson was whistled for a pair of early fouls. A 17-11 Akron lead was flipped, 31-30, for BG before the Zips got a lift from freshman guard Tavian Dunn-Martin for a 37-35 halftime lead.

By the numbers: Akron entered MAC play No. 1 in the conference in scoring margin (11.6 points a game), No. 1 in FG percentage (48.3 percent), No. 1 in 3-point shooting (39.3 percent), No. 1 in rebounding defense (30.7 a game), No. 3 in assist/turnover ratio (1.1), No. 3 in scoring defense (67.2 points a game), No. 4 in scoring offense (78.8 points), and No. 4 in free throw shooting (70.4 percent).

Next in line: Akron plays a second straight MAC home game Friday at 6:30 p.m. (CBSSN) against Western Michigan. The Zips then go on the road next week for a pair of games at Central Michigan and at Miami. ... Bowling Green stays on the road, traveling to play at Ball State on Saturday in Muncie, Indiana.


Columbus Blue Jackets defeat Edmonton Oilers, 3-1; winning streak at 16

0
0

Cam Atkinson, William Karlsson and Nick Foligno scored goals as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3-1, Tuesday night in Columbus for consecutive victory No. 16.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The NHL's best power play was on display Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena. It factored heavily in the Columbus Blue Jackets extending their winning streak to the doorstep of league history.

Forwards Cam Atkinson and William Karlsson scored power-play goals as the Blue Jackets defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3-1 -- their 16th consecutive victory.

The Blue Jackets own the second-longest winning streak for a single season in NHL history. The 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins won 17 straight. The Blue Jackets' next game is Thursday against the Washington Capitals in Washington, D.C.

Coach John Tortorella's hard-nosed club (27-5-4; NHL-best 58 points) has not lost since Nov. 26 at the Florida Panthers. It has not lost in regulation since Nov. 23 against the Calgary Flames in Columbus. Its 18-game point streak (17-0-1) also is a franchise record.

The Blue Jackets have won eight in a row at home and eight in a row on the road.

The Blue Jackets controlled play for the vast majority of minutes and led, 2-1, after two periods. They held a 25-11 advantage in shots.

At 11:20 of the first, Edmonton right winger Jesse Puljujarvi was penalized for holding Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets made it hurt.

Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg, from high on the right, passed the puck to defenseman Zach Werenski out top. Werenski passed to Atkinson on the left goal line. Atkinson wanted to connect with left winger Nick Foligno on the right doorstep, but the skate of Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera got in the way. Sekera inadvertantly shoved the puck past goalie Cam Talbot and into the cage at 12:32.

Credit Atkinson with his 18th.

The Blue Jackets killed a penalty within the first three minutes of the second period. They not only killed it, they created two excellent chances.

Edmonton tied the score at 5:39 of the second. Left winger Patrick Maroon, from the right circle, fed rushing left winger Oscar Klefbom in the low slot. Klefbom stuffed the puck through the pads of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for his sixth.

At 7:48, Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky and Maroon were sent off for fighting. Maroon might have taken issue with how hard Dubinsky was contesting Oilers phenom Connor McDavid.

At 8:53, Edmonton left winger Brandon Davidson held Foligno. With 11 seconds remaining on the power play, Karlsson received forward Brandon Saad's pass and blasted a one-timer from the right circle past a shocked Talbot for his sixth.

Karlsson happened to be the player who replaced Dubinsky.

Columbus made it 3-1 early in the third. Foligno intercepted an Oilers pass from the boards in the Columbus zone, floated into the right circle and flicked a wrister into the cage for his 13th.

The Blue Jackets supported their power play with superb, physical defense in sweeping the season series, 2-0. Edmonton slipped to 19-13-7.

"We were really good away from the puck,'' Tortorella said.

All about Bob: Bobrovsky was named NHL's "first star of the month'' for December -- the first Blue Jacket ever to win the league's highest honor for monthly performance.

"Bob'' went 12-0 with a .939 save percentage and 1.75 goals-against average in December. The Blue Jackets were 14-0.

Brian Roberts' 21 points help No. 19 Copley beat Highland 74-52, to stay undefeated

0
0

Copley boys basketball junior Brian Roberts had a game-high 21 points to help the Indians stay undefeated by beating Highland on Tuesday.

MEDINA, Ohio — Copley lost most of its offense from a perfect season in 2015-16. But the Indians still have not lost a regular season game in nearly two calendar years.

The Indians continued their perfect start to the 2016-17 season with a 74-52 win at Suburban League American Conference rival Highland on Tuesday.


Four players scored in double figures for Copley (7-0, 4-0 SL), ranked No. 18 in the cleveland.com Top 25. Brian Roberts led the way with 21 points, including 10 of his team’s 21 in the second quarter.


“I just had to get one of those shots to fall in because they weren’t falling in the first quarter,” Roberts said. “I just had to get back to what I normally do.”


Jacob Williams added 15 for the Indians, and Austin Brenner and Sam Emich each scored 10.


The Indians were very unselfish offensively, keeping the ball moving and passing up good looks for even better ones.


“I never have to worry about that,” Copley coach Mark Dente said. “There’s two things we never talk about: effort, because the kids give everything they have, and we don’t talk about the extra pass because for the most part, we give it.”




Copley had a 2-point lead after the first quarter, then started the second on a 14-6 run.


Roberts had seven of those points, including a pullup 3-pointer in transition. He showed his offensive versatility all game with his ability to shoot from the outside as well as attacking the basket.


“He’s hard to guard,” Dente said. “He can shoot the 3. He can shoot the midrange. He can get to the basket. He’s a great free-throw shooter. He scores in all facets of the game.


“To take him out of the game is difficult. The way we run up and down, he spots up in transition. He’s a phenomenal shooter.”


Copley outscored Highland, 21-11, in that quarter and forced six turnovers.


Brenner is one of the few returners from Copley’s undefeated team from last season. His experience as a key component from that team combined with younger players like Roberts, who helped Copley’s JV team go undefeated as well last year, has helped the Indians get off to another good start.


The Indians' last regular season loss came on Feb. 17, 2015.


“We needed guys to come up and step up,” Brenner said. “Guys like Brian did and Sam Emich have been. And they’ve been playing well.”


Collin Rittman led Highland (6-3, 2-1) with 17 points.


Both teams play again on Friday when Copley hosts Aurora and Highland travels to Tallmadge.

No. 2 Lorain outlasts No. 4 Garfield Heights, 66-64, prevents last-second shot

0
0

Lorain’s 66-64 win win Tuesday night against Garfield Heights took something out of both teams, which are ranked near the top of the cleveland.com boys basketball rankings.

LORAIN, Ohio – Coach John Rositano leaned against a door outside his office and let out a sigh.

Lorain’s 66-64 win win Tuesday night against Garfield Heights took something out of both teams, which are ranked near the top of the cleveland.com boys basketball rankings.


“I’m just proud of the guys with the way they toughed it out,” Rositano said.


His second-ranked Titans (6-1) trailed by 12 points in the second quarter but rallied within one by halftime. They took an early third quarter lead on Daesean Brooks’ 3-pointer, and the back-and-forth battle with No. 4 Garfield Heights ensued.




For Lorain to beat the Bulldogs (8-2), it took Jalil Little to return from nine stiches above his left eye. He played with a large bandage over his eyebrow and scored 15 points.


It took Octavius Wilson’s game-high 14 rebounds, which came for the 6-foot-3 senior against taller opponents by 6 inches.


Finally, it took one last defensive stand as Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson called the same play that forced overtime in a regional final win almost a year ago.


“We got what we wanted,” Johnson said. "Two guys were open on the end. Brison (Waller) caught it in the middle, but it didn’t work.”


Perhaps because Shawn Christian, who made that tying 3 at Cleveland State, was not open. Shayne Smith shaded him to prevent a last-second shot. Instead, Waller — a 6-9 sophomore — took a few dribbles toward midcourt and could not get off a shot as the clock expired.


“We’ve had close games other times,” Smith said. “We know what it takes to pull out a victory. Defense at the end is critical.”


The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 53, and neither side led by more than three the rest of the way.


Lorain senior Naz Bohannon scored a game-high 19 points. Little added 15, including five in the fourth quarter. The senior guard twice missed the front end of one-and-one free throws in the final 30 seconds.


But Garfield Heights, down by one at that point, could not convert.


Senior point guard Marreon Jackson led the Bulldogs with 16 points, Christian added 14 and Waller provided 15.


Jackson also grabbed 10 rebounds, but Wilson gave Lorain the second chances it needed with his effort under the basket.


Of his 14 rebounds, six came on the offensive end.


“He may be the best rebounder in the state,” Bohannon said. “He’s relentless and has the most heart. He doesn’t fear anybody in there.”


Wilson added 12 points to complement Bohannon, who added nine boards.


They made Garfield Heights’ coach woozy just like Rositano afterward.


“I’m tired of that kid,” Johnson said with a chuckle. “We watched film, and he’s a junkyard dog. Our game plan was to keep him off the glass and Naz off the glass.”


A year ago, both teams made deep tournament runs after a regular-season meeting won by Garfield Heights. Johnson said he hopes this game has a similar impact.


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 high school boys basketball statewide scores for Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017

0
0

Check out Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around the OHSAA, courtesy of The Associated Press.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Check out Tuesday's boys basketball scores from around the state, courtesy of The Associated Press.

Akr. Firestone 52, Akr. Hoban 40


Apple Creek Waynedale 62, Kidron Cent. Christian 55


Archbold 66, Napoleon 47


Austintown Fitch 60, Ashtabula Lakeside 51


Avon 58, Westlake 43


Avon Lake 67, N. Ridgeville 65


Batavia Amelia 45, Morrow Little Miami 36


Beachwood 60, Geneva 40


Beaver Eastern 50, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 43


Bellefontaine 54, Troy 48


Belmont Union Local 66, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 62


Berea-Midpark 63, Grafton Midview 59


Berlin Center Western Reserve 80, Hanoverton United 54


Berlin Hiland 65, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 42


Bethel-Tate 53, W. Union 47


Beverly Ft. Frye 74, New Matamoras Frontier 51


Bidwell River Valley 48, Crown City S. Gallia 41


Blanchester 69, Fayetteville-Perry 49


Bloom-Carroll 57, Logan 49


Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 65, N. Royalton 46


Bridgeport 84, Barnesville 76


Bristol 76, Kinsman Badger 35


Bryan 57, Stryker 29


Byesville Meadowbrook 50, Vincent Warren 49


Canfield 67, Youngs. East 62


Canfield S. Range 70, Salem 50


Centerburg 50, Newark Licking Valley 42


Chesapeake 66, Ironton Rock Hill 58, 2OT


Chesterland W. Geauga 67, Perry 51


Chillicothe Huntington 52, McDermott Scioto NW 36


Cin. Country Day 85, Miami Valley Christian Academy 35


Cin. Indian Hill 59, N. Bend (Cleves) Taylor 44


Cin. Madeira 56, Cin. Deer Park 53


Cin. Mt. Healthy 54, Oxford Talawanda 26


Cin. Oak Hills 69, Cin. Colerain 43


Cin. Princeton 57, W. Chester Lakota W. 34


Cin. Summit Country Day 51, Cin. Winton Woods 39


Cin. Turpin 52, Milford 47


Cin. Walnut Hills 66, Cin. Anderson 53


Cin. Wyoming 76, Cin. Mariemont 46


Circleville 50, Ashville Teays Valley 46


Circleville Logan Elm 76, London 48


Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 83, Cle. Collinwood 76


Cols. Hartley 57, Fairfield Christian 45


Cols. Upper Arlington 52, Lewis Center Olentangy 37


Cols. Watterson 49, Worthington Christian 44


Copley 74, Medina Highland 52


Cortland Lakeview 56, Brookfield 47


Crooksville 38, Lancaster Fisher Cath. 36


Cuyahoga Falls 56, Macedonia Nordonia 49


Cuyahoga Hts. 42, Burton Berkshire 36


Day. Dunbar 86, Cin. Woodward 71


Day. Oakwood 49, Fairborn 38


Delaware Hayes 61, Worthington Kilbourne 59


Delphos Jefferson 50, Kalida 40


Edgerton 59, Montpelier 48


Erie First Christian Academy, Pa. 56, Conneaut 53


Ft. Jennings 77, Ada 51


Gahanna Lincoln 66, Powell Olentangy Liberty 45


Galion Northmor 59, N. Robinson Col. Crawford 47


Galloway Westland 35, Cols. Franklin Hts. 26


Gates Mills Gilmour 70, Mayfield 57


Germantown Valley View 61, Bellbrook 49


Girard 68, Youngs. Liberty 58


Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 74, Uhrichsville Claymont 66


Greenfield McClain 47, Chillicothe Zane Trace 38


Greenwich S. Cent. 68, Crestline 47


Grove City Cent. Crossing 62, Groveport-Madison 57


Grove City Christian 85, London Madison Plains 64


Groveport Madison Christian 54, Cols. International 50


Hamilton 49, Cin. Sycamore 43


Hartville Lake Center Christian 44, Atwater Waterloo 42


Haviland Wayne Trace 74, Van Wert Lincolnview 49


Hilliard Bradley 53, Dublin Jerome 36


Hilliard Davidson 45, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 28


Ironton 56, Gallipolis Gallia 43


Ironton St. Joseph 55, New Boston Glenwood 51


Jackson 58, Wheelersburg 55


Jefferson Area 72, Niles McKinley 61


Kenton 63, Coldwater 59


Kettering Alter 55, Cin. St. Xavier 42


Kings Mills Kings 67, Cin. Glen Este 56


Leavittsburg LaBrae 81, Warren Champion 63


Lewistown Indian Lake 73, Waynesfield-Goshen 40


Lima Perry 84, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 44


Lima Sr. 77, Fremont Ross 46


Lisbon Beaver 47, Richmond Edison 44


Lodi Cloverleaf 44, Ravenna 37


Lorain 66, Garfield Hts. 64


Lore City Buckeye Trail 67, Newcomerstown 65


Loudonville 61, Mansfield Temple Christian 30


Loveland 62, Cin. Withrow 56


Lowellville 65, Columbiana Crestview 37


Malvern 67, E. Can. 41


Mansfield St. Peter's 84, Ashland 67


Mantua Crestwood 64, Ravenna SE 56


Maria Stein Marion Local 68, Bradford 17


Mason 48, Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 34


McArthur Vinton County 62, Chillicothe 58


McConnelsville Morgan 60, New Lexington 59


Medina 66, Brunswick 62


Medina Buckeye 77, Fairview 57


Mentor 77, Solon 70


Middlefield Cardinal 74, Fairport Harbor Harding 65


Middletown 37, Fairfield 35


Mineral Ridge 60, Leetonia 56


Minford 49, Albany Alexander 46


Mogadore 65, Akr. Manchester 53


Mogadore Field 45, Akr. Springfield 28


Monroeville 40, Lakeside Danbury 37


N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 61, Lisbon David Anderson 52


Navarre Fairless 49, Millersburg W. Holmes 48


Nelsonville-York 66, Belpre 52


New Concord John Glenn 83, Zanesville Maysville 48


New Middletown Spring. 61, Columbiana 33


New Philadelphia 53, Massillon Washington 47


Newark 70, Grove City 47


Newton Falls 44, Campbell Memorial 42


Norwood 55, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place 50


Oak Hill 52, Wellston 29


Orange 52, Wickliffe 48


Ottoville 34, Defiance Tinora 31


Parma 57, Brooklyn 33


Parma Hts. Valley Forge 78, Cle. Lincoln W. 74


Parma Normandy 61, Lakewood 52


Pemberville Eastwood 45, Maumee 42


Peninsula Woodridge 58, Akr. Coventry 57


Pickerington Cent. 62, Westerville S. 57


Pickerington N. 66, Dublin Coffman 50


Pioneer N. Central 62, Hamilton, Ind. 55


Plain City Jonathan Alder 48, Spring. Shawnee 35


Poland Seminary 65, Hubbard 51


Pomeroy Meigs 59, Reedsville Eastern 53


Portsmouth Sciotoville 77, S. Webster 72


Proctorville Fairland 78, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant 43


Reading 55, Cin. Finneytown 52


Reynoldsburg 60, New Albany 50


Richfield Revere 74, Aurora 70


Rocky River Lutheran W. 59, Oberlin Firelands 52


Rootstown 49, Garrettsville Garfield 43


Seaman N. Adams 63, Portsmouth W. 61


Sebring McKinley 77, E. Palestine 63


Shadyside 83, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 77


Shaker Hts. 74, Euclid 62


St. Clairsville 64, Bellaire 55


Steubenville 82, Massillon Perry 63


Stow-Munroe Falls 62, Hudson 28


Strasburg-Franklin 53, Magnolia Sandy Valley 44


Streetsboro 69, Norton 50


Struthers 55, Ashtabula Edgewood 45


Sugarcreek Garaway 53, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 47


Swanton 47, Tol. Christian 43


Sylvania Northview 61, Metamora Evergreen 39


Sylvania Southview 101, Tol. Scott 72


Thomas Worthington 52, Dublin Scioto 42


Thornville Sheridan 79, Philo 41


Tol. Bowsher 68, Tol. Start 63


Tol. St. Francis 61, Findlay 45


Tol. St. John's 80, Oregon Clay 29


Tol. Whitmer 61, Tol. Cent. Cath. 57


Toronto 70, Weir, W.Va. 53


W. Jefferson 55, Spring. Greenon 31


W. Liberty-Salem 69, St. Paris Graham 54


W. Unity Hilltop 76, Tol. Maumee Valley 69


Wadsworth 61, Twinsburg 56


Warren Howland 83, Warren Harding 46


Warren JFK 78, Youngs. Mooney 75


Washington C.H. Miami Trace 64, Lynchburg-Clay 43


Waterford 82, Wahama, W.Va. 40


Waverly 95, Hillsboro 80


Wellington 60, Rocky River 57


Westerville Cent. 46, Sunbury Big Walnut 32


Westerville N. 79, Marysville 54


Wheeling Central, W.Va. 77, Steubenville Cath. Cent. 41


Xenia 67, Lebanon 55


Youngs. Ursuline 76, Mentor Lake Cath. 64


Zanesville 45, Coshocton 42


What's Ohio State getting in Ryan Day? One of his former QBs, an Urban Meyer recruit, answers

0
0

Day was hired as Ohio State's new quarterbacks coach, coming from the San Francisco 49ers. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was about two months after Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech in 2014 that Tyler Murphy realized exactly how much Ryan Day was helping him grow as a quarterback. 

Murphy was starting at Boston College, with Day serving as his position coach and offensive coordinator. The Eagles put together the right game plan to hang 33 points on a Virginia Tech defense that held Ohio State to 21 earlier in the season.

That win made Boston College bowl eligible for the second-straight season. Murphy finished with 232 total yards and three touchdowns. But it wasn't about the stats. It was about his preparedness for the game aided by Day, who was named Ohio State's new quarterbacks coach on Tuesday. 

"A team like Virginia Tech, defensively they're gonna give you so many looks," Murphy told cleveland.com on Tuesday night. "He did a great job of preparing me for all of the looks. I felt comfortable that he felt comfortable, doing what he felt was best to attack Virginia Tech and we went on to beat them."

"It was just one of those moments after game I saw him, he saw me, and we just smiled cheek to cheek because we knew that we worked hard to put a great plan together and executed it."

That's the lasting impression Day left on Murphy, who's now an NFL free agent after spending some time with the Miami Dolphins this season. 

When you think about it, Murphy might actually be the perfect person to talk to when it comes to figuring how Day will fit in with his new role coaching the Buckeyes' quarterbacks. There are a few parallels to be drawn from Day and Murphy's time at Boston College, and what's happening now at Ohio State. 

Murphy was a fifth-year transfer from Florida when he won the starting job with the Eagles on 2014. He was a 2010 commit to the Gators, recruited by Urban Meyer, who spent a year in Gainesville with Meyer before Meyer took his year off from coaching. 

His head coach at Boston College? Meyer's former Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio. When Murphy and Day were working together, they were running a version of Meyer's offense. 

"We pretty much ran the same system," Murphy said. "He's walking into a system (at Ohio State) where things might be a little different but he'll be able to pick it up quickly because the two offenses come from the root of the same system."

"Him being with Coach Addazio's staff, and Coach Addazio and Urban being so close he has a feeling that it's important that they create explosive plays, take care of the ball, establish the run game. Coach Day does a good job of establishing the run game and allowing big plays to happen downfield."

Day was coaching quarterbacks and running the offense at Boston College from 2013-14. At Ohio State, it sounds like he'll just be coaching quarterbacks without a coordinator title. 

In his one season with Day, Murphy said he felt like he became a better quarterback, which is interesting because it was his only year with Day. That same situation could play out for J.T. Barrett, if comes back for a fifth season in 2017. 

In 2014, Murphy threw for 1,623 yards, 13 touchdown and 10 interceptions, while rushing for 1,179 yards (a Boston College quarterback record), 11 touchdowns and piloting the most productive offense Addazio has ever had as a head coach. 

"Really (Day) just helped me develop my game prep, that part of my game and really just break down film and just kinda of being a professional when it comes to football," Murphy said. "There's a lot a quarterback has to take in and he does a good job of simplifying it that way you can think fast and react fast."

Learn more about Day, OSU's new QBs coach

What Ohio State needs most on its offensive coaching staff right now seems to be a little more creativity in the play calling, and someone to develop whoever the quarterback is to the point where the Buckeyes can have a downfield passing attack to go along with a strong rushing game. 

It's unclear what role, if any, Day will have in Ohio State's play calling. But he comes from Chip Kelly's system, with a touch of Meyer's, and operates from the base principles Meyer deems important for a successful offense. 

That's the thing about how Meyer operates. Wholesale staff changes don't mean a change in offensive philosophy. The core tenets remain the same, but when he brings in new assistants he looks for a little twist -- like Tom Herman bringing more a tempo element from 2012-14. The addition of Kevin Wilson as offensive coordinator, which was reported Tuesday night, and Day as quarterbacks coach could bring that twist he's looking for. 

"He does a good job of breaking defenses down, and that's something that Coach Meyer will like," Murphy said, "another creative mind that really understands what he wants, but can offer some different ways to get it done."

Cleveland Browns, coach Hue Jackson and 2017 predictions: Crowquill

0
0

Cleveland Browns, coach Hue Jackson and answers to questions as the team looks forward to 2017.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns began the new year with chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, executive vice president football operations Sashi Brown and coach Hue Jackson answering questions about the Browns finishing 1-15 this past season and about the team's outlook for 2017.

The trio did a good job of artfully dodging questions while hitting all the right notes about progressing in the process of building a winning team.

But Hue Jackson had the most entertaining answer, when he basically said he would jump in the lake if the Browns went 1-15 again. Hopefully, coach Jackson won't have to make like Paul Hoynes and actually get all wet.

Crowquill, by Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow, appears three times a week on cleveland.com.

Boys Basketball Rewind: Octavius Wilson, Jalil Little show grit for No. 2 Lorain (Jan. 4)

0
0

Octavius Wilson pulled down 14 rebounds to help No. 2 Lorain edge No. 4 Garfield Heights, 66-64, in a matchup of two highly ranked teams by cleveland.com.

LORAIN, Ohio – A year ago against Lorain, then-senior Willie Jackson asserted himself as the best rebounder in Ohio following Garfield Heights' showdown with the Titans.

Fast forward to Tuesday night, and Lorain’s Naz Bohannon made the same proclamation about his teammate.


Jackson, coincidentally, watched as Octavius Wilson pulled down 14 rebounds to help No. 2 Lorain edge No. 4 Garfield Heights, 66-64, in a matchup of two highly ranked teams by cleveland.com.


“He may be the best rebounder in the state,” Bohannon said. “He’s relentless and has the most heart. He doesn’t fear anybody in there.”


Maybe not even Jackson, but none of them will ever know.


Jackson graduated Garfield Heights, but is home after leaving Missouri. Coach Sonny Johnson said Jackson is considering Mid-American Conference schools Akron, Toledo and Kent State and wants to stay closer to home. That is why he made the trip to Lorain to see the matchup of two programs that have become regulars in the regional rounds of the OHSAA tournament.


See how this year’s edition of the matchup shaped up from Wilson’s play in the video below.






Also, a look at why a position change for Garfield Heights sophomore Brison Waller could help him and the Bulldogs going forward.



Here is what else stood out Tuesday night in boys basketball around Northeast Ohio …


TOP 25 WATCH


No. 7 Mentor 77, No. 16 Solon 70: Up just one at the half and three after the third quarter, Mentor won a shootout in the fourth quarter to turn away Solon and remain perfect with the Greater Cleveland Conference victory. Jack Korsok led the Cardinals with 21 points, while Matt Koski added 20. Jason Steele led the Comets with 20.


No. 8 Medina 66, Brunswick 62: Luke Schaefer scored 25 points, Colin Szumski added 12 and the Bees held off Brunswick for a road victory. Medina improved to 10-0. Sophomore Kyle Goessler led Brunswick with 21 points.


No. 9 Archbishop Hoban 70, Firestone 52: Collen Gurley scored 19 points, Garrett Houser scored 14 and Brian Cuppett added 13 to lead the Knights, who seized control early.


No. 14 Brecksville 65, North Royalton 46: Matt Dimitrijevs poured in 29 points, and the Bees scored a convincing Suburban League win on the road.


No. 19 Copley 74, Highland 52: Junior guard Brian Roberts’ 21 points led the way to keep the Indians unbeaten.



No. 20 Lutheran East 83, Collinwood 76: The Falcons maintained a short lead throughout their road victory.


No. 22 Stow 62, Hudson 28: The Bulldogs limited Hudson to just three points in the second quarter for a convincing Suburban League victory. Jordan Jolly led Stow with 13 points.


POINTS OF EMPHASIS



CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD


FAST FORWARD


Here is what to watch the rest of this week, which wraps up Sunday with the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.


No. 1 St. Edward (7-1) at No. 6 St. Vincent-St. Mary (4-3), Friday: The host Fighting Irish look to end a two-game losing streak, while St. Edward is rolling after a 3-1 trip to San Diego. 


No. 2 Lorain (6-1) at No. 13 Maple Heights (7-1), Friday: A critical early Lake Erie League matchup could go a long way in determine whether the Titans remain on top or an up-and-coming challenger can hang with them.


No. 7 Mentor (6-0) at Elyria (6-2), Friday: A loaded night in the Greater Cleveland Conference also includes Shaker Heights at Medina.


No. 11 Villa Angela-St. Joseph (4-2) vs. La Lumiere, Ind., Friday: ESPN will stream this game, which tips off at 3 p.m. in Wheeling, W.Va.


Wadsworth (5-3) at No. 14 Brecksville (6-1), Friday: The Grizzlies got going Tuesday in their first game since upsetting Ellet on Dec. 23. This first Suburban League meeting with Brecksville is important as Wadsworth trails the Bees and Stow by a game.


Berea-Midpark (5-1) at No. 25 Olmsted Falls (6-1), Friday: Both teams are off to strong starts and establish themselves in the Southwestern Conference title picture. Chad Elliott scored 26 points Tuesday to lift the Titans past Midview, 63-59.


CLICK HERE FOR FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE


No. 1 St. Edward (7-1) at No. 10 Benedictine (6-1), Saturday: The second game in three days for St. Edward is against another Division II regional finalist from last year.


CLICK HERE FOR SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE


Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace, Sunday: Seven games will be part of the annual showcase in its fifth year at BW. It opens at 10:15 a.m. with Mentor vs. Canton McKinley and closes at 8:30 p.m. with Shaker Heights vs. Central Catholic.


CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE


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.


Browns roster 2017: Contract status for each player on the team

0
0

Terrelle Pryor and Jamie Collins aren't the only Browns headed toward free agency.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - By now you're probably aware that Terrelle Pryor and Jamie Collins are set to become free agents. The Browns have said that extending the contracts of both players are top priorities this offseason.

But what about the rest of the roster? Who else is a free agent? Who is locked up through next season and beyond?

The contract status of each player on the team is listed below (players grouped by position):

Unrestricted free agents: Unless they sign contract extensions with the Browns, these players can sign with any team once the free agency period begins March 9.

Jamie Collins, LB

Britton Colquitt, P

Connor Hamlett, TE

Stephen Paea, DL

Austin Pasztor, OL

Jordan Poyer, S

Jordan Leslie, WR

Terrelle Pryor, WR

Exclusive rights free agent: The Browns must make a contract offer by March 9 or these players become unrestricted free agents.

George Atkinson, RB

Rajion Neal, RB

Mario Alford, WR

Rannell Hall, WR

Dennis Parks, WR

Jamie Meder, DT

Gabe Wright, DT

Dylan Wynn, DT

Charley Hughlett, LS

Restricted free agents: These players can sign an offer sheet with any team once the free agency period begins, and the Browns have seven days to match.)

Isaiah Crowell, RB

Glenn Winston, RB

Josh Gordon, WR      

Marcus Burley, CB

Signed through 2017

Robert Griffin III, QB

Kevin Hogan, QB

Josh McCown, QB

Dan Vitale, FB

Andrew Hawkins, WR

Joel Bitonio, OL

Anthony Fabiano, OL

John Greco, OL

Gabe Ikard, OL

Austin Reiter, OL

Desmond Bryant, DL

Tank Carder, LB

Demario Davis, LB

Cam Johnson, LB

Christian Kirksey, LB

Tramon Williams, CB/S

Trey Caldwell, S

Ed Reynolds, S

Cody Parkey, K

Signed through 2018

Duke Johnson, RB

Gary Barnidge, TE

Randall Telfer, TE

Alvin Bailey, OL

Joe Thomas, OL

Xavier Cooper, DL

Nile Lawrence-Stample, DL

Dominique Alexander, LB

Nate Orchard, LB

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB

Tracy Howard, CB

Ibraheim Campbell, S

Signed through 2019

Cody Kessler, QB

Darius Jackson, RB

Corey Coleman, WR

Rashard Higgins, WR

Ricardo Louis, WR

Jordan Payton, WR

Seth DeValve, TE

Shon Coleman, OL

Spencer Drango, OL

Cameron Erving, OL

Emmanuel Ogbah, DL

Carl Nassib, DL

Danny Shelton, DL

Tyrone Holmes, LB

Joe Schobert, LB

Joe Haden, CB

Jamar Taylor, CB

Derrick Kindred, S

NOTE: Players below were signed Monday to the reserve/future list off the practice squad. They will count toward the team's 90-man roster beginning in March:

Josh Boyce, WR

JP Holtz, TE

Zach Sterup, OL

Trevon Coley, DL

James Burgess, LB

Justin Currie, DB

Trae Elston, DB

Darius Hillary, DB

Streaking Columbus Blue Jackets have turned into Winning, Inc.

0
0

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won 16 in a row and own an 18-game point streak.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Ice Hockey Businessmen, commonly known as the Blue Jackets, have worked hard at winning one game in a row.

And another in a row. And another and another.

The stack has gotten high enough that the Blue Jackets are peeking through the clouds at NHL history.

The Blue Jackets have won 16 consecutive games, or  WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. They can tie the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins' single-season record of 17 straight with a victory against the Washington Capitals on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

The Blue Jackets have not lost since Nov. 26, at the Florida Panthers (shootout, 2-1). They have not lost in regulation since the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, against the Calgary Flames in Columbus (2-0).

They have outscored opponents, 64-27, during The Streak.

Columbus coach John Tortorella appreciates the magnitude of what has transpired. He really does. He wants his players to be proud of it. But he basically has ordered them not to be governed by it.

"I just want us to keep our heads down and play,'' Torts said. "We're a group of businessmen, as far as I'm concerned. Come in and play the game that day.''

Allowing himself to reflect on the remarkable run, if only because he was asked, Torts said: "Everything feels good right now. (The players) deserve it. I'm really proud of how they've handled the past three games, with all the talk (surrounding them).''

The Blue Jackets are a tidy 27-5-4 and lead the league with 58 points. They are 15-3-1 at home and 12-2-3 on the road.

The Blue Jackets' most recent victory occurred Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3-1. Defeated is being kind; the Blue Jackets dominated. They smothered a quality opponent up and down the ice. If not for Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, it would have been a rout.

Forward William Karlsson scored a power-play goal midway through the second period to give the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead. It was his first NHL power-play tally.

"This is fun,'' Karlsson said of The Streak. "We're enjoying it. But the next game is for two points, and that's what we're after.''

Karlsson looked at reporters almost apologetically, knowing any elaboration would be stock material.

"We really are playing one game at a time,'' he said. "It's a cliche, but it's true. Coach has done a great job of making sure we are focused on the game at hand. That approach is one of the reasons we've been able to put 16 together.''

Forward Nick Foligno effectively sealed the outcome Tuesday with a terrific steal and unassisted goal early in the third period. He was asked about being on the verge of history.

"It's exciting to get a chance to do it,'' Foligno said, "but we've got a really good opponent in their barn. I'm sure they'll be licking their chops when we come in there.''

Foligno, in a sentiment echoed by Tortorella, said The Streak has come with benefits beyond the standings.

"This teaches you how to handle pressure,'' Foligno said. "It's nice for guys to deal with this early in a season. We've responded well.''

Records tumble as MAC teams look strong at home to start season

0
0

Kent State makes 31-of-31 free throws to set a Mid-American Conference record and Keith Dambrot becomes the winningest coach in Akron history.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Akron Zips and Kent State Golden Flashes took to the record books to start Mid-American Conference basketball play Tuesday night.

Equally important in what looks to be a parity-driven MAC race, all home teams won. That cold be important Friday night as Ohio University (9-3, 1-0) will play host Kent State (9-5, 1-0) and Akron (11-3, 1-0) will host Western Michigan (4-9, 0-1).

On Saturday, Bowling Green (6-8, 0-1) is at Ball State (9-5, 0-1); Buffalo (6-8, 0-1) at Eastern Michigan (9-5, 1-0); Miami (8-6, 1-0) at Toledo (8-6, 1-0) and Central Michigan (10-4, 0-1) at Northern Illinois (8-6, 0-1).

The Zips: Akron coach Keith Dambrot became the winningest coach in school history with his 289th victory, an 89-84 triumph over Bowling Green. That's more than icons Wyatt Webb and Bob Huggins.

Akron extended its homecourt winning streak to 24 games, the third-longest in the country behind Kansas (50) and Oregon (35).

If, as expected, the Zips contend and defend their 2016 MAC regular season crown, they will likely need at least a dozen wins, which will then put Dambrot, now in his 13th season with the Zips, at 300 career victories.

The Golden Flashes: Kent needed 100 points to defeat Ball State, 100-90. But inside that point total was a MAC record of 31 straight made free throws, which was just three shy of tying the NCAA record. Kent cracked the previous conference mark of 25.

Kent, entered the game shooting shooting 71.3 percent from the line, third in the MAC behind Central Michigan (78.5 percent) and Eastern Michigan (74.6 percent).

The Golden Flashes had previously made 13 straight in a game in a victory over NJIT last month. Kent also posted 100 points for the third time this season and for the first time against a MAC team since scoring 116 vs. Marshall in 2002.

Across the MAC: Even after one game it is not hard to spot contenders. They are the teams with the triple-threat post players. At the top of the list is Eastern Michigan with the tandem of 6-9 James Thompson IV and 6-9 Jordan Nobles. In EMU's easy victory over Central Michigan, 85-63, Nobles had 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Thompson had 18 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.

Akron's 6-10, 275-pound Isaiah Johnson had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists; Toledo's Steve Taylor had nine points, 15 rebounds and seven assists; Ball State's Trey Moses had 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists and Kent's Jimmy Hall had 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists as the only big man on this list without a turnover.

The last word: The traditionally defensive-conscious MAC had seven of 12 teams score more than 80 points on opening night with one (Ball State) scoring 90 in a loss.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, how about the kids -- Terry Pluto (video)

0
0

With Kyrie Irving slowed by a hamstring injury, young players Kay Felder and Jordan McRae are getting extended minutes with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's been a lot a talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers need for a backup point guard. The talk has grown louder in recent days with Kyrie Irving sidelined with a hamstring injury.

But before bringing in a veteran point guard, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin wants to look at his young players.

The two in the spotlight are Jordan McRae and Kay Felder.

Both have had big moments in recent games, with McRae moving into the starting lineup and Felder providing a spark off the bench the past two games.

Which one has more potential?

We talk about it in this video.

Names to know for Browns fans at the Reese's Senior Bowl

0
0

Here are a few players to watch when the Senior Bowl week gets underway in a few weeks. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns coaches have been selected to coach at the Senior Bowl this year. The game takes place on January 28 in Mobile, Alabama, with a week of practices leading up to the game.

While many of the top names the Browns might consider won't be there, fans and coaches will get a look at a number of players the team might have an interest in as the draft winds along this year. Check out the video above to hear some of the names -- some obvious, some not -- that could be worth watching during that week. 

Mary Kay Cabot and I will be in Mobile in the week leading up to the game, too, so stay tuned for all of our coverage plans from the event.

Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft: Things to know (video)

0
0

With the 2016 Cleveland Browns season coming to an end, we are going right into draft mode. Only time will tell what the Browns will do, but watch the video above to get some more info on the 2017 NFL Draft. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the 2016 Cleveland Browns season coming to an end, fans are going right into draft mode. 

We know the Browns really wanted to get the win against Pittsburgh for their last game of the season, but since they lost it secured them the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. So it was probably better for the Browns to lose that game.

This draft is already raising a lot of debate, despite the fact it's four months away.

Do we take a quarterback?

Defensive end?

Offensive line?

Trade down for more picks?

Only time will tell what the Browns will do, but watch the video above to get some more info on the 2017 NFL Draft. After all, it's all version of the Super Bowl.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls: Tipoff time, TV, radio and streaming information

0
0

Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Chicago Bulls tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 34 of the 2016 NBA season Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (26-7) vs. Chicago Bulls (17-18).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena.
When: 8 p.m.
TV: FoxSports Ohio, ESPN.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: FoxSports Go, Watch ESPN.

Chicago notable: The Bulls have been especially effective on the offensive glass so far this season, ranking first in the NBA with 13.7 offensive boards per game. Chicago has been able to take advantage of those rebounds and is first in the league in second-chance points with 16.5.

Cleveland notable: With an appearance tonight, LeBron James (723) will pass Danny Ferry (723) for sole possession of 2nd-most gamesplayed in Cavaliers history. James (1699 stls, 1399 3FGM, 9972 FGM) is also one steal away from 1,700 for his career, one three-pointer away from 1,400 for his career and 28 field goals away from 10,000 for his career.

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.


Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 34

0
0

LeBron James and the Cavs host Chicago Wednesday before embarking on a season-long six-game road trip.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs (26-7) host the Chicago Bulls (17-18) at 8 p.m. tonight before heading out on a season-long six-game road trip.

Last meeting: The Bulls beat the Cavs 111-105 in Chicago on Dec. 2.

What's up with the Cavs: At 26-7, they're at their best through 33 games since they went 27-6 in 2008-09. Cleveland is also an NBA-best 18-2 at home and winner of 13 straight with LeBron James in the lineup. James is expected to pass Danny Ferry (723 games) for the second-most games in Cavs history. Kevin Love is the only player in the East averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Richard Jefferson's 12 points and 12 rebounds against New Orleans Monday stood for his first double-double since joining the Cavs prior to the start of last season.

Cavs injuries: Kyrie Irving (right hamstring tightness) and Mike Dunleavy (sprained right ankle) are questionable; J.R. Smith (right thumb surgery) and Chris Andersen (right ACL tear) are out.

What's up with the Bulls: Can't start this discussion without talking about Rajon Rondo. He signed a two-year, $27 million contract as a free agent over the summer. Coach Fred Hoiberg hasn't played him at all the last two games. If this continues, Rondo wants traded our bought out. For what it's worth, he posted a triple-double in that win over the Cavs. Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, became the second Bull in history to record multiple 50-point games. He scored 52 in a win Monday over the Hornets. Butler also became the second player in NBA history (Willie Burton) to score 52 points on 24 or fewer shots. He was 21-of-22 from the foul line. Dwyane Wade didn't play Monday because of a swollen knee.

Bulls injuries: Dwyane Wade (swollen left knee) is a game-time decision; Denzel Valentine (left ankle sprain) is out.

Probable starters:

Cavs

F LeBron James (25.6 ppg; 7.8 rpg; 8.6 apg)

F Kevin Love (21.8 ppg; 10.9 rpg; 1.7 apg)

C Tristan Thompson (7.1 ppg; 9.9 rpg; 0.7 apg)

G DeAndre Liggins (3.0 ppg; 1.8 rpg; 1.2 apg)

G Jordan McRae (4.7 ppg; 1.4 rpg; 0.6 apg)


Bulls

F Doug McDermott (9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 apg)

F Taj Gibson (11.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.2 apg)

C Robin Lopez (9.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.8 apg)

G Jimmy Butler (25.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.4 apg)

G Michael Carter-Williams ( 5.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.5 apg)

LeBron James misses shootaround with illness, listed as questionable for Wednesday night; Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving also questionable

0
0

James, who left the arena following Monday's win with a baggie of Tylenol PM and Airborne, was told to stay home on Wednesday morning.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- All members of the Cleveland Cavaliers' Big Three are questionable for Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls.

Both LeBron James and Kevin Love were unable to participate in the morning's shootaround because of illness.

James, who left the arena following Monday's win against the New Orleans Pelicans with a baggie of Tylenol PM and Airborne after admitting he wasn't feeling well, was told to stay home and rest on Wednesday morning. He is officially listed as questionable after initially receiving an uncertain designation for the game.

"It's a long season," said Tristan Thompson, who will be playing in his 404th consecutive game Wednesday. "Guys will get banged up, sick, whatever the case may be. But the ironman is going to find a way to be able to put it together tonight and go out and compete."

According to head coach Tyronn Lue, Love has been dealing with food poisoning, causing him to lose 10 pounds over the last few days. He played 24 minutes Monday night before exiting midway through the fourth quarter, going straight to the locker room.

"I told him for him to be able to put up a double-double with food poisoning, that means he's pretty, uh, bleep(ing) good of a player," Thompson said. "Because I couldn't do that. We definitely appreciate him doing that and that definitely shows how much he cares about his teammates and how much he wants to win that he's going to give everything he's got in the tank to lay it out there and put us in a position to win."

Love showed up to the facility Wednesday, but was kept off the court and left early.

Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving took part in shootaround. However, he's still questionable for the Eastern Conference clash. Irving has missed the last two games with right hamstring tightness.

How will Kevin Wilson impact Ohio State's offense? Explosiveness and a return to pace

0
0

Wilson is expected to be named Ohio State's new offensive coordinator after resigning as Indiana's head coach.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer was in the early stages of developing his spread offense in 2001 when he sent then-Bowling Green assistant Gregg Brandon to Northwestern to pick the brain of Kevin Wilson. 

Wilson was Northwestern's offensive coordinator, the orchestrator of an unlikely offensive juggernaut that was third in the country in yards per game during the 2000 season. 

Like all good copy-cats, Meyer wanted to bring whatever Wilson had going at Northwestern to Bowling Green.

"We studied them relentlessly," Meyer recalled in 2015. "They were dynamic."

Meyer got a first-hand look at that in 2001, when Bowling Green and Northwestern played in a classic shootout of spread offenses (won by BG, 43-42) at a time when the spread hadn't yet become the offense du jour in college football.

Those are the things that stick with Meyer. A team has success against his, he studies what led to that success and finds a way to implement that into his own plan.

So Meyer has long admired Wilson from afar. Now they get to work together.

Wilson, who recently resigned from his head coaching position at Indiana, is expected to be named Ohio State's next offensive coordinator, according to reports on Tuesday night. He'll be one of two new additions to Meyer's staff. The other, quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, has already been announced. We're still waiting on official word of Wilson's hire.  

When it happens the question on everyone's mind -- let's face it, you're already thinking about it -- will be how Wilson can improve an offense that's gone a little stagnant over the last few years.

Since Tom Herman left Ohio State for Houston after the 2014 season, the Buckeyes seem to have lost a little bit of who they are offensively. Explosiveness has dropped, and the pace has slowed a bit. Statistically speaking, Ohio State has still been among the best offenses in the country the last two years. Compared against the standard Meyer has set, it's been a bit lackluster.

That all came to a head in a 31-0 shutout at the hands of Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday. 

Something needed to change. So what will change look like? Maybe something like this:

Meyer's core offense will likely remain the same: A strong, physical running game that sets up an explosive passing offense. Wilson harbors similar philosophies. 

"It's spread, but it's a spread that includes a physical running attack and a physical style and a soundness, and it's well coached," Wilson told ESPN.com in 2012. 

That second part of Meyer's plan, the explosive passing attack, has been lacking over the past two years. The numbers suggest Wilson can change that.

The Buckeyes had just 33 pass plays of 20 yards or more in 2016. Indiana had 52. In 2015, Ohio State had 38 while Indiana had 60. In 2014, Ohio State had 56 pass plays of 20 yards or more, the most in Meyer's five years with the Buckeyes. It's not a coincidence that they had one of the best offenses in college football that season and won a national championship. 

Much of Wilson's offensive success at Indiana was predicated on a strong play-action passing game:

Wilson put together the No. 14 offense in the country in 2015, and had the No. 9 offense in 2013. Outside of the 2014 season, Wilson has put up comparable (or better) explosion numbers to Ohio State since Meyer arrived in Columbus in 2012. 

Meyer, once a detractor when it came to playing fast, will also like what Wilson brings from a pace standpoint. Part of the reason Meyer hired Herman before the 2012 season was Herman's prowess in developing a fast-paced offense. Indiana has averaged more plays per game than Ohio State in three of the last five seasons. 

Indiana averaged 79 plays per game over the past two seasons. Ohio State averaged 72. That's not a huge discrepancy, but it's less about total plays, and more about moving quickly. J.T. Barrett likes playing at a frenetic pace, but tempo was rare for Ohio State over the last two seasons. No-huddle and tempo are two different things.

Wilson's offenses operate fast, keeping defenses from playing anything other than what their base defense is. Ohio State had a lot of success playing that way in 2014. 

And Wilson did all of this with considerably less talent than what will be at his disposal at Ohio State. 

When Wilson was the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, he routinely had one of the best offenses in the country, including in 2008 when he helped lead the Sooners to the BCS National Championship against Meyer's Florida Gators. In 2008, Oklahoma was No. 3 in the country in total offense and averaged nearly seven yards per play. 

It's possible Wilson was in over his head a bit as a head coach at Indiana. He resigned amid "philosophical differences" with the athletic administration, and some players accused Wilson of improper treatment when it came to injuries. 

But there's no question that Wilson is a brilliant offensive mind, a creative and decisive play-caller who will be tasked with taking Ohio State's talent and getting the offense back to where it was just a few years ago. 

Ohio State WR Austin Mack's goal: 'The vision is to be better than Mike Thomas'

0
0

Austin Mack could be an emerging star at wide receiver for Ohio State. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Austin Mack sat around one of the circular tables in the Camelback Inn's conference room last week mostly unbothered.

It was media day for the Fiesta Bowl in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mack watched reporters swarm to all the influential players on Ohio State's roster while dreaming of being one. Truth is, most reporters would have to look at the roster to recognize Mack. Suddenly his impressive recruiting profile meant very little. 

The team's captains had their own podiums in the front of the room with a personalized Fiesta Bowl banner hanging behind them.

That's where Mack's eyes stayed. 

"One day," Mack told cleveland.com, "I'm going to have one of those banners. Watch." 

It's kind of hard not to believe Mack. Though he spent the majority of his true freshman season on special teams -- kickoff, kickoff return and punt block -- Ohio State's coaching staff mentioned Mack's name far more than the usual first-year player. 

It's not a surprise Mack didn't end up playing on offense. It's hard to do that as a freshman at a place like Ohio State. But if all the raving Urban Meyer did for the past nine months is any indication, Mack is going to be a big-time receiver. 

How big? 

"The vision is to be better than Mike Thomas," Mack said. "That's the goal here. That's what the product is supposed to be and that's where I plan to end up here when it's my time to be up there in the front." 

A former four-star recruit from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mack enrolled early last spring and made a splash immediately. He was a breath of fresh air because he was a freshman who already had the tools to be a receiver. Many receivers were converted from another position or were simply just athletes before college. 

Austin Mack at MSUAustin Mack could be an emerging star at wide receiver for Ohio State.  

Mack was the first player from Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class to have his black stripe removed, which was confirmation of his quick acclimation to the college game. 

But when the season arrived, the Buckeyes stuck with veterans in their rotation: Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell and Noah Brown. 

"It was a blessing as it is just being on the field," Mack said. "Coming from high school to where I am now, I have grown as a player tremendously. I can't thank Coach Meyer and Coach (Zach) Smith enough for what they've done for me.

"Now it's just a matter of, 'Keep getting better.' Coming in, you want to play more, but you have to realize you're at Ohio State and everybody is a top-10 talent. You just have to keep working hard, and my time will be coming." 

That time could be coming soon. While Mack mostly sat on the bench this year, the Buckeyes struggled to move through the air. That must have been hard for Mack to watch.

But now Meyer has two new assistants -- Ryan Day has been hired as the quarterbacks coach and Kevin Wilson is expected to be the new offensive coordinator -- and the main focus is to become a good passing team. 

Mack sees opportunity. 

"Last year was just a matter of being consistent and putting the trust in my coaches," Mack said. "No matter what was going to happen. I knew I was going to be able to continue as much as possible and I am happy with my special teams help. That was big for me. 

"Now I need to have a good off-season coming into the spring and take off. That's the plan." 

Transfer Desmond Ridenour making difference for Kent State (video)

0
0

Desmond Ridenour has transferred from Duquesne to Kent State and is paying his own way to play for the Golden Flashes (video). Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a season when backcourt play has been hot and cold for Kent State, transfer walk-on Desmond Ridenour continues to see more and more action for the Golden Flashes.

The 6-3, 185-pound product of Benedictine High began his college career at Duquesne. After being a solid rotation player as a freshman, playing 15.9 minutes a game and scoring 4.8 points, his court time was cut in half as a sophomore and he decided to transfer.

Being close to home, even if he had to pay his own way, has proven to be worth it for Ridenour.

His redshirt season was spent learning the system. As this season has progressed, his production and time have increased. Over the last five games, Ridenour has scored in double figures three times with a total of 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Because Kent's production at point guard has been so sporadic, the defensive-minded Ridenour is getting more time leading the team as his defense, combined with his athleticism, make the Golden Flashes a more dangerous team.

With half a season to play, Ridenour's continued improvement could be the difference between Kent State being a Mid-American Conference contender or not.

Ridenour is averaging a career-high 19.1 minutes a game, scoring 6.3 points with 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images