There is a sense we may never see anything quite like Mount Union football again, partly because it's hard to imagine a coach like Larry Kehres staying at the same school long enough to win 302 games.

View full sizeMount UnionMount Union's defense forced four turnovers in a 37-7 win over Alfred in the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs last weekend.

Larry Kehres has his Mount Union football team in the Final Four of the Division III playoffs . . . again.

Make it AGAIN, as in the 16th year in a row, as the Purple Raiders host Bethel at noon on Saturday.

You can say that Kehres is a great coach, and you would be right. Not only is he one of 11 coaches with 300 career victories, but he also has only 22 losses in 25 years.

There is a sense that we may never see anything quite like Mount Union football again, partly because it's hard to imagine a coach staying at the same school long enough to win 302 games. Or that a coach with such a sparkling record would be content to remain in Division III for 36 years, as is the case with Kehres.

"The players have made it easy for me," said Kehres.

He meant more than the talent, but the culture that is a part of Mount Union football.

"I'm too old to baby-sit kids," said the 61-year-old Kehres. "At some point, nearly every kid has some type of problem, maybe two. But if you have problem after problem, if you want someone to hold your hand, you can go somewhere else."

Kehres doesn't claim that every Mount Union player is on the honor roll and belongs on a church window. But he mentions how some of his best players are strong students.

View full sizePD fileCoach Larry Kehres, right, has lost only 22 games in 25 years at Mount Union.

Alex Ferrara (3.82 GPA) made the ESPN college Academic All-American team, along with teammates Kyle Miller (3.48 GPA) and Sam Kershaw (3.45 GPA).

Center Brett Ekkens joined those three on the Ohio Athletic Conference All-Academic team. Mount Union had the most selections of any OAC school.

"If you want to have a team with good academics, recruit decent students who will work hard," said Kehres. "Most of the time, when you recruit a good student, he stays a good student. And the coaches have less headaches."

The Purple Raiders' defensive coordinator is Vince (son of Larry) Kehres, who raves about Ferrara.

"When he came to us from Walsh, we had no idea that he'd be this good," said Vince Kehres. "He weighed maybe 160, really thin. But he just knew how to play, and he worked in the weight room. He's great in the classroom. He's what we want our team to be about."

A 6-foot junior defensive back listed at 190 pounds, Ferrara plays a major role in making sure the secondary is in proper position with the various defenses used by the Purple Raiders. Mount's defense is ranked No. 2 in Division III, despite returning only four players who started a year ago.

Vince Kehres praised Massillon Jackson product Lambert Budzinski, a 3.0 student who is a team captain and has 17 sacks. Medina Buckeye product Chaz Jordan, another 3.0 student, starts at cornerback.

"It's just easier to coach smart guys," said Vince Kehres. "They're accountable and reliable. They want to do the right things."

Larry Kehres said it's more than simply being smart in the classroom. Character and leadership are critical to Mount Union's incredible success -- which includes 10 Division III titles.

Star receiver Cecil Shorts is the son of a coach, a disciplined athlete and a charismatic personality who preaches the Purple Raider football gospel of discipline and waiting your turn to play.

"NFL teams have been coming to our practices and checking on Cecil," said Kehres. "I've been telling them that they'll get a young man from a great family who has never been a problem."

The Collinwood product has scored 13 touchdowns in the last four games -- an 80-yard kickoff return, a 54-yard punt return, a rushing touchdown and 10 touchdown receptions. The senior owns nearly every school receiving record. Kehres believes Shorts can be like Pierre Garcon, the Purple Raider product who plays for the Indianapolis Colts.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Cecil is drafted," said Kehres.

The coach then talked about Garcon, who came back to Mount Union in the last two summers to finish his degree.

"The last course he needed was geology," said Kehres. "He'll never be a geologist and he didn't exactly ace the course, but he passed it and got his degree. I tell people that if Pierre can play in the NFL and come back two summers to make sure he graduates, you'd better do your work, too."

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

Jared Sullinger makes Buckeyes history Thursday night with a freshman-record 40-point game, just the fourth in the past 46 years Ohio State basketball for any player.

View full sizeJay LaPrete / Associated PressJared Sullinger, right, took over the game for the Buckeyes on Thursday, scoring 40 points in Ohio State's victory over IUPUI.

Doug Lesmerises / Plain Dealer Reporter

COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger made history Thursday night with his 40-point game, just the fourth in the past 46 years of Buckeyes basketball, though for a while it looked like it might come in a loss.

Bulling his way through the IUPUI defense after the Jaguars saw their center foul out midway through the second half, the 6-9 Sullinger went on a rampage in the lane, carrying the Buckeyes to a 75-64 victory. With 12:40 to play, the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes trailed, 50-41. Nine minutes later, after Sullinger scored 14 points during the Buckeyes' 24-4 run, it was over.

The best way to stop him, according to IUPUI coach Ron Hunter?

"Get him in the draft early," he said.

Sullinger finished with 40 points, an OSU freshman record, and was 16-of-23 from the foul line, another freshman record, while grabbing 13 rebounds. But forget that he's a freshman -- the 40-point game was just the fourth for the Buckeyes since 1965 and only the 23rd in school history. Jim Jackson, Kelvin Ransey, Evan Turner, Greg Oden, Bill Hosket, Herb Williams, Michael Redd -- they never scored as many as Sullinger did Thursday night.

"I didn't think he forced anything," OSU coach Thad Matta said. "I didn't think he did anything abnormal. It was there and he took advantage of it."

Sullinger was at his best despite missing the shootaround Thursday to attend the viewing for his late uncle, Harold. But Hunter said his goal was to make the Buckeyes (7-0) play small, and the Jaguars (4-6) pressured the perimeter to take away Ohio State's 3-point shooting, willing to give up the lane in the trade. Hence, history.

"I was surprised they didn't double him," OSU junior guard William Buford said of Sullinger. "He was hot, so we kept giving him the ball and they couldn't stop him."

It didn't happen right away. The Buckeyes were playing for the first time in nine days, and Matta was upset with the way the Buckeyes were slow to react on defense, as the game was tied at 35 at halftime. It didn't get any better early in the second half, so needing a boost somewhere, during the first timeout of the second half Matta told Sullinger to start calling for the ball on offense.

"Normally I don't do that, because that's showing signs of selfishness," Sullinger said, "and that's not me."

It was needed. And it was fine with the Buckeyes. Tied at 50, Buford's defender left him to double Sullinger, but after the ball was passed around, Buford burned the help defense with a bounce pass to Sullinger for a dunk and the Buckeyes' had their first second-half lead with 8:37 to play. After Buckeyes guard Jon Diebler hit his third-clutch 3-pointer to extend the lead, he found Sullinger with a bounce pass off a drive for another dunk as the Buckeyes started to pull away. Buford, with 14 points, and Diebler with 13 were the only other Buckeyes in double figures.

"If they want to take away the outside shooters, we're definitely fine throwing the ball inside," Diebler said. "If they take away the outside, we'll go inside all day."

It worked all day. There's a lot of other things for the Buckeyes to improve on before hitting the court at St. John Arena on Sunday against Western Carolina. Sullinger was 12-of-17 from the field (71 percent) and the rest of the team was 14-of-34 (41 percent). The defensive intensity needs to increase. But at least the Buckeyes got the win. And Sullinger had a night to remember.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

There's always plenty to talk about in the world of Cleveland sports and today's no different. Get yourself ready for Browns-Bills on Sunday, talk about how the Cavaliers can get out of this current losing streak and share your thoughts on all things Cleveland sports.

Join Chuck Booms and Harry Petsanis weekdays from 2-6 p.m. on DSN.

DSN's lineup of all-star hosts are on the air from now until 11 p.m. and you can get in on the discussion by posting in our chat room and calling into the shows.

6-9 a.m.: About Last Night: Mike Cairns and Bill Boronkay

9 a.m.-noon: Locked and Loaded: Greg Kozarik and Brian Fowler

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy returns to practice today on a limited basis.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is making progress with his high ankle sprain, but isn't ready for game action yet.

CLEVELAND -- Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy (ankle) returned to practice today on a limited basis, but it's not yet known if he'll be healthy enough to dress for the Bills game and serve as the third quarterback.

McCoy has been walking around without his boot on and was able to participate in positions drills today. "It's progress,'' said coach Eric Mangini.

With McCoy still idle, Jake Delhomme will start his third straight game and go for his third straight win Sunday in frigid, snowy Buffalo.

In other Browns news, four players are idle today: linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), linebacker Titus Brown (concussion), tight end Evan Moore (hip) and guard Floyd Womack (knee). Mangini said Womack should be ready for the game.

Linebacker Marcus Benard, who missed Thursday for a personal reason, was back on the field.

He also picks his score for Sunday's Browns game at Buffalo. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Bill Lubinger, who is pinch hitting for the vacationing Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi, who answered fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Tony talks about whether Browns cornerback Joe Haden is in the discussion for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year; whether former coach Blanton Collier should be in the team's Ring of Honor; why the Browns want to see Colt McCoy play in bad weather; and if fired Broncos coach Josh McDaniels would make a good offensive coordinator candidate if the Browns decide to move away from Brian Daboll after this season.

SBTV will be back Monday with PD reporter Dennis Manoloff breaking down the Browns-Bills game.

The Browns have matched their win total from a year ago with four games left to play. We called Scott Sargent and Rick Grayshock from WaitingForNextYear.com to talk about whether or not they believe Eric Mangini has done enough to merit a third year as coach. We also talked about Byron Scott's lineup changes for the Cavaliers and more.

View full sizeGetty ImagesBrowns Head Coach Eric Mangini.

The Browns have matched their win total from a year ago with four games left to play. We called Scott Sargent and Rick Grayshock from WaitingForNextYear.com to talk about whether or not they believe Eric Mangini has done enough to merit a third year as coach. We also talked about Byron Scott's lineup changes for the Cavaliers and more.

Among the topics discussed:

• Do you believe Mangini and his staff are getting the most of this team's talent, or at least close to it?
• How much of a factor will the final four games  be in Mike Holmgren's decision?
• In each of your minds, should Mangini be back for year No. 3?
• Will Byron Scott's lineup shuffling have longterm positive effects for this team?

"I enjoy watching the blocking ahead of the running. Vickers blows people up! Take it one step further and watch the O-line blocking ahead of Vickers. Thomas, Mack and Steinbach sometimes get downfield blocks a lot farther from the line of scrimmage than you think. When it all comes together up front, Hillis can make teams look foolish." - floridog09

View full sizePaul Abell | Associated PressJoe Thomas isn't just a pass blocker, he's shown an ability to get out front and run block as well.

In response to the story Fullback Lawrence Vickers paves way for running backs: Cleveland Browns Insider, cleveland.com reader floridog09 loves it when the Browns' running game comes together. This reader writes,

"I enjoy watching the blocking ahead of the running. Vickers blows people up! Take it one step further and watch the O-line blocking ahead of Vickers. Thomas, Mack and Steinbach sometimes get downfield blocks a lot farther from the line of scrimmage than you think. When it all comes together up front, Hillis can make teams look foolish."

"I don't know what goes on at practice or behind closed doors, but it makes absolutely no sense to reduce Hickson's minutes. None. Upping Jamison's minutes by ten per night is just going to break him down sooner, diminishing his trade value towards the deadline (if they can get someone desperate to eat that 2nd year on the contract). More importantly, they have to develop JJ." - 2artemis1

View full sizeGetty ImagesJ.J. Hickson has struggled mightily over the last month.

In response to the story As Cleveland Cavaliers lose games, rookie Manny Harris wins more minutes, cleveland.com reader 2artemis1 thinks Hickson needs to play, even if he is struggling. This reader writes,

"I don't know what goes on at practice or behind closed doors, but it makes absolutely no sense to reduce Hickson's minutes. None. Upping Jamison's minutes by ten per night is just going to break him down sooner, diminishing his trade value towards the deadline (if they can get someone desperate to eat that 2nd year on the contract). More importantly, they have to develop J.J."

"I know I won't be spending my money to watch this bottom feeder organization. The time's not right for me to spend." - Larry C.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerIndians fans likely won't be coming to Progressive Field in droves this season.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians leave winter meetings with hands in pockets and no free agents, cleveland.com reader Larry C. isn't going to spend on the Indians this year. This reader writes,

"I know I won't be spending my money to watch this bottom feeder organization. The time's not right for me to spend."

"That was only the seventh. game he has played as a collegian. Is there any reason for anyone out there to believe that last night's game will be his best this season? So what is his best?" - mittymjs

View full sizeAssociated PressJared Sullinger may still have a few performances like Thursday night's in store for Buckeyes fans.

In response to the story Jared Sullinger scores 40 to rally Ohio State men's basketball team to win against IUPUI, cleveland.com reader mittymjs thinks Sullinger still has plenty to show us. This reader writes,

"That was only the seventh. game he has played as a collegian. Is there any reason for anyone out there to believe that last night's game will be his best this season? So what is his best?"

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - Lake Ridge Academy's girls basketball program is being investigated for recruiting, Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner Dan Ross confirmed. "We're investigating Lake Ridge Academy's method of which it's bringing in student-athletes," said Ross. "We're going to have administrators from the school come down to our office for a hearing after the holiday break."

The Ohio High School Athletic Association confirmed it is investigating Lake Ridge Academy. Pictured is first-year coach Keesha Allen from 2009 while she was an assistant at Regina. - (Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer)

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - Lake Ridge Academy's girls basketball program is being investigated for recruiting, Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner Dan Ross confirmed.

"We're investigating Lake Ridge Academy's method of which it's bringing in student-athletes," said Ross. "We're going to have administrators from the school come down to our office for a hearing after the holiday break."

Ross wouldn't go into detail about what sparked the investigation at the private coed school in North Ridgeville.

Lake Ridge Athletic Director Debby Ghezzi declined to comment on details about the investigation.

"When [the OHSAA] is ready to talk to us, they'll give us a call," Ghezzi said.

Lake Ridge had eight former Regina players enroll over the summer after Regina closed in June because of financial struggles at the private South Euclid school.

On Oct. 19 Lake Ridge announced it hired Regina assistant coach Keesha Allen to coach its girls basketball team. Allen's staff includes two other former Regina coaches in varsity assistant Dave Tatham and junior varsity head coach Mike Russo.

Ross expects the hearing to take place in early January.

"We're going to try to render a decision after the hearing but it's not guaranteed if we'll be able to immediately come to a decision," Ross said.

Ross wouldn't detail possible penalties Lake Ridge could face if the OHSAA determines it violated any of the association's bylaws.

Cleveland -- Bill Belichick often said, "I can only go by what I see."  The former Browns and current Patriots coach meant he made decisions based only by game performance and practice conduct. He had no capacity for what a player was supposed to be. The player was what he saw. Proof was in the observable world.  It is...

Cleveland -- Bill Belichick often said, "I can only go by what I see." 

The former Browns and current Patriots coach meant he made decisions based only by game performance and practice conduct. He had no capacity for what a player was supposed to be. The player was what he saw. Proof was in the observable world. 

It is a good way to approach this year's Heisman Trophy voting, too, which will be presented Saturday in New York. 

Going by what I saw, quarterback Cameron Newton of Auburn, in a corrupt system, is both eligible and the best player -- the latter by far, the former by not so much. 

My ballot read: 1. Newton; 2. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the son of former St. Ignatius star Oliver Luck; and 3. Oregon running back LaMichael James. 

For consistent, game-changing impact in a 13-0 season in the rugged Southeastern Conference, the country's best league, Newton might be the most dominant skill-position player of all time. 

The other names in that discussion are a "who's who" of college football legends -- quarterbacks Vince Young of Texas, Michael Vick of Virginia Tech and Roger Staubach of Navy, and running backs Tony Dorsett of Pitt, Earl Campbell of Texas, O.J. Simpson of USC and Herschel Walker of Georgia. I would add Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who is the best college receiver I ever saw. 

Big (6-6, 250 pounds), fast, strong, elusive and accurate, Newton is the player the more publicized Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State was supposed to be. He sticks his nose in there to get extra yards and does not slow before contact, as Pryor does. Newton is much more accurate on the short pass. 

The problem with Newton is his off-the-field scandals. Originally a Florida recruit, he was arrested there and charged with the theft and subsequent destruction of another student's laptop computer. Unhappy as a backup to Tim Tebow, he then transferred to a Texas junior college and finally signed with Auburn. His second recruitment became an ethical morass. 

The NCAA concedes that his father, Cecil Newton, and a scouting service director tried to execute a play-for-pay scheme with Mississippi State. They allegedly asked for $180,000 for the younger Newton's signature on the dotted line. 

An NCAA investigation concluded that Cameron Newton -- although his father announced his son's intention to leave Florida far and wide, indicating serious involvement in the younger Newton's career -- floated above this flesh peddling, unaware of wrong-doing. Auburn was also exonerated. Thus, Newton, after first being suspended by Auburn, was reinstated for the SEC Championship Game, in which he led the Tigers to a rout of South Carolina. 

It is cynically likely that the NCAA spared Newton because the football powers have millions of dollars at stake in the bowl system and because the providers of much of that money, the television networks, did not want the nation's best player to be anywhere but on the field in early January. 

The slope upon which the NCAA stands is slippery. Seemingly, a father can use his son as an ATM, so long as the son keeps his eyes closed and his prospects open. A handful of voters have announced their intention to snub Newton because of the scandal, one of them being former Plain Dealer OSU beat reporter Bruce Hooley, now working in radio in Columbus. 

For my part, I note that Johnny Rodgers won the Heisman in the 1970s at Nebraska, despite his felony conviction for involvement in a gas station robbery. Troy Smith won the Heisman in 2006 at Ohio State, despite his suspension for the 2004 Alamo Bowl for taking $500 from a booster. Reggie Bush of USC returned his 2005 Heisman this year because he and his family took extravagantly illegal benefits from agents vying to represent him. 

The task of cleaning up college sports recalls one of the classical myths. Among the 12 labors of Hercules was that of cleansing in one day the stables of King Augeas, whose immortal cattle had for all eternity been doing in the barns what well-fed livestock will do after eating. Hercules cleansed the stables by diverting two rivers, which would get him in trouble with the Environmental Protection Agency today. 

It is not a Heisman voter's job to muck out the college football stable. The rivers around Manhattan are polluted enough as it is. The only criterion for the award is that a player be eligible. So Newton is my choice. If you're not going to give the Heisman to the best player, why give it at all?  
 

"I think it is great that the Browns are not rushing to call McCoy 'the guy' at quarterback. This shows wisdom on the part of the front office. I sincerely hope McCoy is the man, but no way am I falling in love yet after what we've been through as Browns fans." - cmac181

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerThe Browns like what they've seen from Colt McCoy, but haven't rushed to anoint him their "franchise quarterback."

In response to the story Cleveland Browns want to see if Colt McCoy can make the throws in bad weather, says Tony Grossi (SBTV), cleveland.com reader cmac181 likes the approach the Browns have taken with McCoy. This reader writes,

"I think it is great that the Browns are not rushing to call McCoy 'the guy' at quarterback. This shows wisdom on the part of the front office. I sincerely hope McCoy is the man, but no way am I falling in love yet after what we've been through as Browns fans."

"One good thing about Tressel is that he was never going to bolt to another college. This is his college dream job." - tribefever32

View full sizeAP FileAlong with winning a lot of football games, Jim Tressel hasn't openly courted any other college coaching jobs.

In response to the story Urban Meyer would be a worthy successor someday to Jim Tressel as Ohio State football coach, says Doug Lesmerises (SBTV), cleveland.com reader tribefever32 is just happy Tressel has never courted other jobs. This reader writes,

"One good thing about Tressel is that he was never going to bolt to another college. This is his college dream job."

Ryan Garko, the Indians third-round pick in 2003, will play for the Hamsung Lions in Korea next season.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerRyan Garko, shown with the Indians in 2009, will play in Korea next season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The big leagues are in Ryan Garko's rear view mirror. For the time being, at least.

Garko, the Indians' third-round pick in 2003, has signed a one-year deal to play for the Samsung Lions in Korea. Garko will be paid $300,000.

The Indians traded Garko to San Francisco midway through 2009. He played 40 games for the Giants, hitting .235 (27-for-115) with two homers and 12 RBI. Non-tendered in the off-season, Garko signed with Seattle, but was released during spring training.

Garko, a first baseman, outfielder and designated hitter, signed with Texas. He appeared in only 15 games with the Rangers, batting .091 (3-for-33). He hit .247 (90-for-364) with 18 doubles, 15 homes and 59 RBI at Class AAA Oklahoma City.

Talk about tough luck. If Garko could have stuck with the Giants or Texas, he would have played in the World Series this year.

Garko's best year was 2008 when he hit .273 (135-for-594) with 21 doubles, 14 homers and a career high 90 RBI for the Indians.

Byron Scott's latest manipulations of the lineup are merited, says Terry Pluto.

View full sizeMark Duncan / Associated PressThe recent struggles of J.J. Hickson are just one factor in the many issues surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, says Terry Pluto, who admits his preseason optimism in the team was misplaced.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Mumbling to myself about the Cavaliers...

Question: Aren't you the moron who predicted the Cavs would win 46 games?

Answer: That was another moron named Pluto who used to talk to himself in paper. Now, I just mumble.

Q: About that prediction...

A: A reader emailed that the Cavs are on pace to lose 60 games. With a 7-15 record heading into Saturday's game at Houston, that's about right ... 58 to be exact.

Q: Weren't you the guy who wrote that with Byron Scott as coach, a total collapse wouldn't happen?

A: I still believe he is the right guy for the job. I love the coach who told me after Friday's practice: "I had to make some major lineup changes, I owed that much to the fans because of how we've been playing."

Q: Do you think benching Jamario Moon and J.J. Hickson while starting Daniel Gibson and Antawn Jamison will help?

A: Scott said, "I was sitting up at night, thinking about how we lost that last five games by something like 22 points. How could almost anything I do make it worse?"

Q: Doesn't that sound desperate?

A: It sounds like a coach who sat down and asked himself, "Who are my best leaders? Who works hardest in practice? Who has the strength of character to deal with this?" Then he decided to reward those players by putting them in the lineup.

Q: Doesn't starting Jamison and Gibson hurt the bench?

A: Who cares? When the starters stink, what good is a productive bench?

Q: Aren't some of the players such as Hickson and Moon unhappy?

A: Yes. And I repeat ... who cares? Scott believes in Hickson, but he also sees an immature 22 year old who needs to work harder in practice and on defense. In my Sunday notes, I deal more with this topic.

Q: What happened to the defense? How can they keep getting blown out?

A: I wish I had the answer. Scott told me, "I don't want guys to feel that they'll play no matter what." Scott said when he played for the Lakers, Pat Riley gave most of his players "a healthy fear" that they may lose their starting job. He wants that on the Cavs.

Q: Why didn't he just start Jamison in the first place?

A: In retrospect, Scott should have. The Cavs want Jamison in a major leadership position, and then they told the career 19-point scorer to come off the bench. By placing him in the lineup, they empowered him to talk to the players even more than he did before.

Q: Doesn't this just prove that the Cavs gave LeBron James no help?

A: Once James went the South Beach route, the Cavs decided not to retain Shaquille O'Neal, or sign anyone else with that $20 million. They dumped Delonte West, rather than deal with the talented but troubled guard. They didn't resign Zydrunas Ilgauskas because they are no longer a contender. O'Neal starts for Boston, Ilgauskas starts for Miami. West has done little for Boston.

Q: Your point?

A: The Cavs went from adding veteran talent and payroll with James to dumping it and creating salary cap room once he left. I'm not saying James had an all-star supporting cast, but had he returned, you would have seen more high-priced talent at the Q. They added young players in Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins, who aren't starters.

Q: Did you really think the Cavs would seem this shell-shocked?

A: Obviously not. The Cavs have some of their least athletic players at the most athletic positions -- shooting guard and small forward. James could create a shot with the 24-second clock ticking down. The Cavs also miss his defense, everything from shot blocking to shutting down the best player in key parts of the game.

Q: Who is supposed to take the tough shots on this team?

A: Some of the guys don't want that pressure. It's why Scott put Gibson and Jamison in the lineup. He believes they can help Mo Williams function better in the offense. It's now clear this team was hooked on James pulling them out of trouble.

Q: How can Chris Grant say he's not looking to do anything with the roster?

A: Because he's a general manager who doesn't want to sound in a panic. He is thinking long-term. He wants to add draft choices and young talent. He is open to dealing veterans. But right now, no NBA teams are seriously looking to deal. That can change in a few months.

Q: So they won't trade anyone?

A: The following veterans have expiring contracts: Anthony Parker, Jawad Williams, Leon Powe and Jamario Moon. Some of them will be traded. They'll listen to offers for Mo Williams and Jamison, but won't trade them just to take more hefty long-term contracts. This isn't baseball where you can blow up a team in the middle of a season, a salary cap makes that impossible.

Q: So they won't win 46 games?

A: OK, how about this? They won't lose 60, either.

Q: That's really bold of you.

A: That's the best I can do right now.

Last week, Johnson said he would put a critical drop against Pittsburgh behind him. Instead, he caught only two passes for 36 yards.

View full sizeDavid Duprey / Associated PressBills receiver Steve Johnson is hoping to have a big game on Sunday and help lessen the attention he received for this overtime drop against the Steelers two weeks ago.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- You may have heard Bills' receiver Steve Johnson's name mentioned by Jay Leno, Jimmel Kimmel or Rush Limbaugh two weeks ago.

But not because of his team-leading 61 receptions or nine touchdowns.

Johnson has become notorious this season for dropping a sure TD pass in the end zone in overtime against the Steelers on Nov. 28 to cost the Bills a victory -- and for his post-game tweet to God about the incident.

Johnson, who dropped five passes in that game, tweeted "I praise you 24/7!!!!!! And this how you do me!!!! You expect me to learn from this??? How ???!!! I'll never forget this!! Ever!!! Thx tho ..."

Kimmel cracked in his Late Show monologue, "By the way, if God cared about you at all, he wouldn't have you playing for the Bills."

And Leno quipped, "Hey, he thought God made him drop the pass. The Buffalo Bills are 2-(10). God gave up on the Bills a long time ago."

Last week, Johnson said he would put the incident behind him and rebound against the Vikings. Instead, he caught only two passes for 36 yards.

"The last couple weeks he's struggled a little bit, but he's played extremely well otherwise," said coach Chan Gailey. "I expect even bigger things for him in the future."

Gailey said he hasn't made an issue of Johnson's big drop.

"I said something to him after the ballgame," said Gailey. "I'm one of those that believes if you go in and talk to him and bring him into the office every day and go out to the practice field and pat him on the back every day -- if you don't treat him the same, all of a sudden they feel like, 'Uh, oh, something must really be wrong.' I tried to talk to him after the game and then I tried to treat him like I would every other week.

"Everybody has bad days. You try to be positive with the guy and keep treating him exactly the same. If it becomes a real issue, then you have to address it. If it's a one-time shot, my thought is, don't make a big deal out of it. Address it, don't avoid it. The good ones keep bouncing back from those."

Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown doesn't think the third-year receiver is in a funk.

"As an athlete, you never lack confidence, no matter how bad you play," said Brown. "He's a young, talented receiver. He's a big-play guy and obviously [Bedford native and Bills receiver] Lee Evans has taught him well."

Johnson, a seventh-round pick out of Kentucky in 2008, leads the Bills with career highs in receptions (61), receiving yards (832) and touchdowns (9) in 2010. He's had some monster games, including an 11 catches for 145 yards against Chicago and eight for 158 against Baltimore. He also caught eight passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns against the Bengals.

"Pretty soon people will start keying on him and doubling him and things like that," said Gailey. "We know that's coming. We've got to keep working with that and deal with that as it shows up."

Last week, Johnson said he was able to put the drop behind him. He'll try to prove that again today.

"I haven't forgotten about it but I'm able to move on," he said. "I feel like I learned I'm not in control. I'm not in control of the situations, and I thought I was. I'll be back to my same old self, out there fighting with my guys and my brothers. I'm going to be the same Stevie Johnson as the guys know."

The Akron Zips are right back where they wanted to be -- in the College Cup NCAA soccer championship.

View full sizeMark J. Terrill / Associated PressKofi Sarkodie delivered the game-winning goal against Michigan goaltender Chris Blais in the second half of Akron's 2-1 triumph late Friday night in the NCAA men's soccer national semifinal.

• College Cup final: Akron vs. Louisville, 4 p.m. ET, Santa Barbara, Calif. TV: ESPN2.

Kathryn L. Knapp

Special to The Plain Dealer

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Akron Zips are right back where they wanted to be -- in the College Cup NCAA soccer championship. Akron has proven they're resilient. They've earned the right to play in the final.

"Our journey really began on Dec. 14 [2009]," Akron head coach Caleb Porter said after Friday night's 2-1 semifinal win over Michigan. "We were one kick away from the championship last year. As I met with the guys, all of the returning players all vowed to do whatever it took to get back to the finals. They've taken care of business against one of the toughest schedules in the nation."

This year, the Zips (21-1-2) come in with experience and without the pressure of an undefeated record. Their opponent, Louisville is just the opposite. The Cardinals (20-0-3) are playing in their first College Cup final.

"We're excited. It's been a long journey to get here," Porter said. "We're the No. 3 seed. We're the underdog. Now the pressure's off of us. We get to show the country who we are."

Michigan stunned Akron with a second-minute goal Friday night, but the Zips pulled themselves together. Akron is no stranger to success. The Zips trailed in just five matches this season, dropping only one decision, 2-1, to Cleveland State on Oct. 30. The Zips own a (3-1-2) record in that span.

But Akron's players will be the first to tell you that it hasn't been easy.

"Things came easier for us last year," sophomore defender Zarek Valentin said. "This year we've come through more adversity. We've been battle-tested throughout the year. We had a tie in the first 10 games and a loss. We looked ourselves in the mirror and said this is what we need to improve. The loss was a good turning point for us."

Porter said the loss helped his team get a reality check.

"We had 40 games without really losing," Porter said. "I started to see our guys lose that hunger and passion. I told them you've gotta show up. If you don't show up, you can lose. I think it went in one ear an out the other. If they never actually felt the pain, it doesn't sink in."

In the first semifinal Friday night, Louisville topped North Carolina, 2-1. The Cardinals made things interesting with Aaron Horton scoring in the final minute of play to earn the victory.

"Louisville is a good team," Porter said. "But we've seen everything this year. We've faced the best strikers in the country. Every team and every game offers something different. You have to be aware in every single moment. There are players on these teams who will punish you."

Akron has outscored its opponents, 63-16, in 24 games, ranking second in the nation for scoring offense. Louisville has outscored opponents, 49-18, in 23 games, eighth nationally.

Defensively Zips goalkeeper David Meves ranks ninth in the nation, allowing 16 goals all season. Cardinals goalkeeper Andre Boudreaux is 21st, allowing 18. Akron has 13 shutouts, Louisville has eight.

The Cardinals said they'll be ready for the final on Sunday. They also will not take their competition lightly.

"They're a technical team," Louisville head coach Ken Lolla said. "We understand what their strengths and weaknesses are. But we have to play to our strengths and weaknesses. I've told the guys all along, it's about us playing well and doing what we do well."

As for pre-game nerves, Cardinals senior Charlie Campbell said they're not a factor.

"Ken has always told us that pressure is felt by the untrained and unprepared," Campbell said. "We don't feel pressure, but we are anxious to play."

Lolla vs. Porter: Lolla spent 13 seasons at Akron where he led the Zips to a 160-68-25 record and six NCAA Tournament bids. Porter took over in 2006 when Lolla headed to Louisville. Lolla is 60-28-16 record at Louisville, Porter is 89-13-10 with the Zips.

"I took over a program that had tradition," Porter said. "Ken Lolla built the strong foundation. I tweaked it a bit."

Lolla said he looks forward to facing his former club.

"It's not a big surprise to face Akron," Lolla said. "They've done very well. They were expected to be very good. The best two teams are facing off in the final. I don't know if it's ironic or appropriate."

All in the family: Akron's sophomore defender Zarek Valentin's older brother, Julian, played four seasons at Wake Forest (2004-2007). Julian twice played in the College Cup, losing in the semifinals in 2006 before beating Ohio State a year later for the title.

"Earlier in the year my brother sent me a picture of his championship ring and said it's your turn now," Zarek Valentin said. "I kept the picture for inspiration."

Traveling fans: Friday night, the Zips fans weren't exactly scarce in California. They made their way around the field chanting their favorite tunes to the delight of Akron's players and coach. "I think we have the best fans in the country," Valentin said. "We really do feed off that energy."

It's been a while: The last undefeated team to win a men's soccer College Cup was Santa Clara in 1989. The Broncos actually ended in a 1-1 draw with Virginia in the title game, and the two teams were named co-champions. Santa Clara ended the season 20-0-3.

Kathryn L. Knapp is a freelance writer in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Browns won one of their first 12 games in 2009 -- a memorably futile 6-3 conquest of the Bills. Numerous links to current Browns news, too.

Associated PressDerek Anderson was the Browns quarterback -- he was 2 of 17 passing -- in Cleveland's 6-3 win at Buffalo last season.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have a long way to go to become an elite NFL team.

They are certainly better than a year ago, though, and many fans believe they're better than their 5-7 record indicates.

The Browns have an opportunity to inch within a game of the .500 mark on Sunday, when they visit the 2-10 Buffalo Bills.

Cleveland's general improvement can be measured against its most recent visit to Buffalo, last Oct. 11.

The Browns went into the game 0-4. Afterward, they would go on a seven-game losing streak, for a 1-11 record. Cleveland finished 5-11.

Plain Dealer game stories on every regular season and playoff game in Browns history, prior to this season, are on cleveland.com's Browns History Database.

From Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi's story on the Browns' win more than a year ago: 

They prevailed over the Buffalo Bills, 6-3, in a game that had as many total points as Browns dropped passes (nine) and Buffalo false-start penalties (nine).

If you thought it was painful to watch on TV, consider the hearty faithful of 70,526 predominantly Bills fans in Ralph Wilson Stadium who paid to witness it. Anger and despair poured out of the building after Buffalo's final, desperate play ended in a fumble after three laterals.

"We lost to the worst team in the NFL at home," an elderly fan said departing the stadium.

Another one, younger and angrier, declared, "Both teams are a disgrace."

The Browns became the first team in 10 years to win a game while completing two or fewer passes. Cincinnati did it in a 2000 game against Denver when Corey Dillon rushed for 278 yards, then the NFL single-game record.

The Browns were able to overcome a 2-of-17 passing game by Derek Anderson on 117 yards rushing by Jamal Lewis, a superlative effort on special teams and 60 minutes of play by the defense.

Up-to-date Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes reporter Mary Kay Cabot's story on Browns running back Peyton Hillis nearing 1,000 yards, along with Tony Grossi's four points about the game; Bill Livingston's commentary on former Browns owner Art Modell's Hall of Fame chances; Tony Grossi's NFL Insider; Mary Kay Cabot's story on Browns safety Abe Elam, and her Cleveland Browns Insider. 

Funny meeting you

Things are looking better for the Browns than for the Bills, John Clayton writes for ESPN.com:

The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills are going in different directions. The Browns and Eric Mangini have stayed competitive for longer than people expected and have a chance to get to 7-7 if they can beat the Bills this week and Bengals next week. The Bills had been more competitive than anyone expected until last week, when they broke down against the Vikings. Injuries have destroyed the middle of their offensive line and have stripped away a good portion of their defensive front seven. At 2-10, the Bills can start looking ahead to the draft.

Run Peyton, run

John P. Lopez lists 10 storylines for Week 14 of the NFL season.

Lopez writes on his "Inside the NFL" feature for Sports Illustrated's SI.com:

10. What's the bigger sure thing in Buffalo -- the Browns' Peyton Hillis surpassing 100-yards on the ground (and 1,000 for the year), or the Bills cratering big-time to assure themselves a better shot at Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck in the draft? You probably want to bet on Hillis. He's just 38 yards short of 1,000 and faces the horrendous Bills rushing defense, which already has given up more than 2,000 yards and averages giving up 170-plus yards per-game.

Post patterns

How the Browns and Bills match up, by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Browns-Bills game preview by Don Delco for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com.

A story on safety Abe Elam, by Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal.

Placekicker Phil Dawson can give the Browns an edge, by Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

A story on tight end Ben Watson, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A Browns at Bills scouting report, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Running back Peyton Hillis nears a 1,000-yard rushing season, by Stephanie Storm of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Some Browns info on James Walker's AFC North Blog for ESPN.com.

The Bills know that the Browns' Josh Cribbs can break a big return, and other Bills-Browns news by Allen Wilson for the Buffalo News.

A story on tight end Ben Watson, by Scott Petrak for the Ehyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

A Browns notebook, featuring linebacker Marcus Benard, by Nate Ulrich for the Akron Beacon Journal.

A Browns notebook, by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Quarterback Newton is third Auburn player to win the award, following quarterback Pat Sullivan and running back Bo Jackson.

Associated PressCam Newton's ability to take games over with his running and passing helped him win the Heisman Trophy.

New York, New York -- Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy — as if there was any doubt.

Whether he gets to keep it is still to be determined.

Auburn's hulking quarterback brushed off an NCAA investigation of his recruitment as he did so many tacklers this season and captured college football's biggest individual award Saturday night in a landslide vote.

"Honestly, it's a dream come true for me, something every child has a dream that plays the sport of football, and I'm living testimony that anything is possible," Newton said.

Newton, the third player from Auburn to win the Heisman, received 729 first-place votes and outpointed runner-up Andrew Luck of Stanford by 1,184 points.

Oregon running back LaMichael James was third, followed by Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, the other finalist.

On the field and off, Newton has been the story of the college football season. He's carried the top-ranked Tigers to the BCS national championship game against No. 2 Oregon, running and passing over opponents who looked helpless trying to stop him. But his story is stained: Recently, the NCAA determined his father tried to peddle him to Mississippi State for cash.

Not even that ruling stopped Newton. The NCAA cleared him to play before the Southeastern Conference title game because it found no evidence that he or Auburn knew about Cecil Newton's pay-for-play scheme. It also suggested that it was still investigating. The FBI and the Mississippi secretary of state's office also are looking into the case. Cam Newton has denied any wrongdoing.

Still, it invites speculation the newest Heisman winner could perhaps be heading down the same path as Reggie Bush, who returned his Heisman three months ago after the NCAA ruled that he and his family received cash and gifts while he was at Southern California.

To be eligible for the Heisman, a player must be in good standing with the NCAA. And for most of November, after news broke of claims by a Mississippi State booster who said Newton's father tried to get the Bulldogs to pay $180,000 for his son to play for them, it was unclear if Cam was clean.

The NCAA didn't punish Cam Newton but did say that Cecil Newton's access to Auburn athletics would have to be limited.

What that means is unclear, but Cecil Newton did not attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday night. In a statement released by his lawyer earlier in the week, he said his presence could "rob Cam and the event of a sacred moment."

Before winning the award, Cam Newton said: "He gave me some words of encouragement before I came here and I know he's with me in spirit."