The NFL season goes into it's sixth week and it's getting a little crowded at the top of standings.

Dennis Manoloff

Michelle Beadle

Dan Labbe

Chad Zumock

Joey Morona

Glenn Moore

Chris Perez

Jamal Anderson

Dustin Fox

Matt Iseman

Adam "The Bull"

The Miz

When Cleveland Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson heard trainers say he had a possible concussion last Sunday, he was smart enough to listen and leave the field. Jackson practiced Thursday, and could start Sunday against the Bengals.

Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (52) leads a trio of Browns tackling the Giants Ahmad Bradshaw last Sunday. Safety Usama Young, a former Kent State star, is at left, and Craig Robertson moves in on the right. Kathy Willens, Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson has taken an almost gladiatorial approach to his profession, refusing to come out of games despite the score or aches and pains.

But after being helped to the sidelines on Sunday against the New York Giants and hearing trainers talk of a possible concussion, Jackson offered no protest, even as he said the fogginess in his brain lifted.

"Once I settled down it was like look this is real life, this is about me having kids one day, me having a family one day," said Jackson, who had been on the field for every defensive snap since to start of the 2010 season. "I can't jeopardize myself like that."

The good news for Jackson and the Browns is he returned to practice Thursday and expects to start against the Cincinnati Bengals. The middle linebacker suffered the injury just before the two-minute warning in the first half after being sandwiched between two Giants offensive linemen. Jackson could hear everything going on around him, he said, but he momentarily had trouble processing it.

He appreciates the new NFL guidelines regarding concussions which mandate medical personnel to escort a player from the field to the locker room and not allow him to return to the sidelines.

"You have to protect the player from himself," Jackson said. "That is my first one and at the time I thought I was fine, but obviously the people who were attending to me said I wasn't. After 10 minutes or so of feeling cloudy and dizzy I was feeling normal again."

Jackson left the game with the score tied, but the Browns unraveling. Giants halfback Ahmad Bradshaw gained 135 of his 200 yards after Jackson's departure.

The defensive captain knows the unit must improve its 26th place ranking against the run if the Browns are to earn their first victory Sunday.

"When the bleeding starts we have to sew it up quick," he said. "It's every guy doing their job and not panicking. . . . It's about playing sound, consistent football."

Taylor on track: The Browns are hoping to get another big piece to their defense back shortly. Defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who tore a left pectoral muscle May 10 while lifting weights, is eligible to return to practice next week after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list.

"It's pretty much healed, it's just about getting the strength back up," said Taylor, who has been doing some lifting and lots of running. ". . . I think I'm ready, but I still want to play it safe and take it a day at a time.

The Browns will have 21 days to add Taylor to their active roster or declare him done for the season once he begins practicing.

He led all rookie defensive linemen last season with 59 tackles. Taylor also registered four sacks and forced a fumble. Jackson, who has experience with the injury, has been monitoring Taylor's progress.

"Ever since he heard he had a chance to come back, he's been working his tail off rehabbing," Jackson said. "I think he's ahead of schedule in my opinion. But it's gonna be very important that he takes it slow 'cause you don't want any setbacks. I had a whole year to deal with mine.

"It's a lot different to actually come back and actually try to play full strength. I think they've done a great job of managing that."

Hangin' with Cooper: With the Browns down to three healthy receivers, Josh Cooper might finally make his NFL debut against the Bengals. The rookie, who played with quarterback Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, has spent the first five weeks on the practice squad.

Cooper said he's received some reps with the offense this week, but as of Thursday night he had not been activated. Teammate Josh Cribbs said Thursday he expects Cooper to draw into the lineup.

Receivers Jordan Norwood (foot), Travis Benjamin (hamstring) and Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring) remain sidelined. Norwood was spotted on crutches with his left foot in a walking boot.

Other injury news: Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (calf) did not practice for a second straight day and it's looking more likely the Browns will start the rookie combination of Billy Winn and John Hughes at tackles. Cornerback Dimitri Patterson (ankle) and linebacker Scott Fujita (shoulder/neck) also missed practice.

Extra point: The Browns waived quarterback Thaddeus Lewis to make room on the roster for the return of cornerback Joe Haden.

Quotable: Browns safety T.J. Ward on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton: "He's not going to be a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady or any of those guys, but he gets the job done, he's efficient with what he does."

Terry Francona's "Out clause" with the Indians is no big deal.

David Richard, Associated PressNew Indians manager Terry Francona is very happy. Is it because he has an "out" clause?

Talking to myself about Terry Francona, the Indians and the new manager's contract:

Question: Is it true that Terry Francona has an "out clause" in his four-year contract with the Tribe?

Answer: Yes. If President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Chris Antonetti are fired, he can leave before his deal is up.

Q: Isn't that strange?

A: I've never heard of another manager with an out like that in his deal, but I understand it.

Q: Understand what?

A: That a big reason Francona came to Cleveland was because he wanted to work for Shapiro and Antonetti. He trusts those guys.

Q: Why would the Dolans agree to that?

A: Because the owners know Francona is "the best manager on the market." That's not just my opinion, but that of Drew Sharp, who wrote it in the Detroit Free Press when discussing the future of Tigers manager Jim Leyland. Francona had been rumored as a possible replacement for Leyland if the Tigers had missed the playoffs.

Q: The point?

A: If you're the Dolans and your franchise has lost at least 90 games in three of the past four years -- and you don't want to replace your top baseball people -- then you do what is necessary to bring in the best manager possible.

Q: But doesn't this create an awkward situation?

A: Like what?

Q: Maybe that Shapiro and Antonetti owe their futures with the Tribe to Francona?

A: That was going to be the situation, regardless of who was hired. The Indians can't keep losing 90 games a season and everything remains the status quo. I know that Shapiro's contract runs through the 2013 season. I've been told that Antonetti has a deal that lasts at least until 2014. All three of these guys -- Shapiro, Antonetti and Francona -- are in it together.

Q: Meaning what?

A: Suppose the Indians are 82-80 under Francona next season and have a fun year, much as they did in 2011. Do you think the Dolans would want to fire the front office but keep the manager? If the team wins, they all look good. If it falls apart, they all look bad. Very rarely is there a case in which a team fires a general manager but keeps the field manager.

Q: Will Francona have the drive to win? Doesn't it sound as if he just wants to work for his friends?

A: Francona had a .440 winning percentage when he managed the Phillies. He knows a manager needs talent to win. He also knows if he fails horribly in Cleveland, he will no longer will be considered an elite manager, as is the case right now. It's in Francona's best interest to become a "turnaround" manager and find a way to at least make the Tribe respectable again.

Q: Do you think this signals a big increase in payroll?

A: Do you?

Q: Paul Dolan said in August that he didn't anticipate making a major increase, right?

A: Right, and I doubt that's changed.

Q: So why would Francona take the job?

A: It's not because he will be making decisions about trades, etc. That will remain with the front office. But I do expect him to have more of an impact in terms of his opinions on deals. He has more experience than other managers who have come before him. Let's face it, if the Indians gave Francona a four-year deal and are paying more money than any other Tribe manager has ever made, they will take what he has to say very seriously.

Q: Why do you think it matters if Francona manages if the payroll doesn't change?

A: Suppose you worked for a struggling company. Suppose that company had a chance to hire an experienced supervisor who has a history of success, strong people skills and a desire to work for that company? Don't you want him to be your boss? Wouldn't his presence at least make some things better?

Q: But it doesn't make them contenders, right?

A: Francona's presence really is a step in that direction. It's a signal that he thinks Cleveland baseball is not hopeless. It tells the players that the front office wanted to bring in the best leader available. And it also says the new manager has confidence in the old front office, or he would not have come to Cleveland.

Q: So that makes it all a happy ending?

A: More like a decent start to the off-season.

To reach Terry Pluto:

terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

The Buckeyes, coming off a shared Big Ten title and Final Four appearance, are going to miss Jared Sullinger, that presence in the post who for two seasons forced defenses to deal with him first.

Preseason All-American Deshaun Thomas answers questions from the media Thursday in Columbus. Thomas, who averaged 16 points per game last season, considered turning pro before deciding to return to the Buckeyes. Kyle Robertson, Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Speed. Hops. Shot-blocking. Fast breaks. Balance. Ohio State basketball has a depth of athleticism and a variety of offensive options as practice for the 2012-13 season begins today.

"From what I've seen to this point, there have been some freakish plays made," coach Thad Matta said.

But they don't have that guy down low. The Buckeyes, coming off a shared Big Ten title and Final Four appearance, are going to miss Jared Sullinger, that presence in the post who for two seasons forced defenses to deal with him first.

"I'd take him back if he could come back," Matta said.

The Boston Celtics, who took Sullinger with the No. 21 pick in the NBA Draft after his sophomore season and now are considering putting him in the starting lineup, probably wouldn't allow that.

The Buckeyes must replace the obvious Sullinger, the guy for whom Matta could call a play in the final seconds at Northwestern and just say, "Get him the ball."

But there also was the less obvious Sullinger, as Matta told his players.

"How many times did you go to the line with 14 minutes left in the first half and shoot a one-and-one?" Matta said. "And that's because Jared was fouled five times. We don't have that anymore. A guy like Jared Sullinger could affect the game and 99.9 percent of the people didn't even know what he was doing out there."

What the Buckeyes will have in his place are two big men in Evan Ravenel and Amir Williams who Matta said probably will be more mobile on defense. Especially with Williams' shot-blocking potential, the Buckeyes could be a little better on that end.

Offensively, they will plan to push it in transition more, with ball handlers like Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott and wing options led by preseason All-American Deshaun Thomas, Lenzelle Smith, LaQuinton Ross and Sam Thompson. In the halfcourt, they will have no choice but to swing the ball a little more briskly. Thomas averaged 16 points per game last season as an inside-outside threat, and coaches have told him he needs to work inside more and make sure he's getting to the foul line. But the offense will change.

"We've talked about it and just looking at film and feeling the flow of the offense, there were times where because we had Jared, we would stop completely and just throw it in," Craft said. "And that kind of halted our offense. Our offense flows more now. It's side to side and I think that's going to be better for us."

"I think we'll have a much better flow to the offense," Thompson said. "We'd throw it to Sully and the defense would kind of collapse and kind of be in scramble mode after that. We're making a lot more basketball plays this year. We're going to be a very, very fast team, with guys that can put it on the floor. I don't think we had that kind of speed last year."

What the Buckeyes did have was a player who drew double teams that left teammates open. Smith could hit open jumpers, or Thomas could attack the offensive glass for tip-ins as teams leaned toward Sullinger. Now the Buckeyes may be more in the flow, but also more on their own.

"I see how they played Jared last year, and this year, I think I'll get some of that, people coming over the top or underneath, double-teaming," Thomas said. "My game has changed a lot by being more of a team player and showing more of what I got."

Thomas then paused for five seconds.

"The scoring didn't change though," Thomas said.

The Buckeyes will need that as they adjust their style. And they will need some of it from everyone.

Notes: Thomas strongly considered leaving for the NBA, before deciding to come back. "It was close. It was close. I was thinking about it," Thomas said. "I was very close but I sat back in my room by myself and made that decision by myself and I think I made the perfect decision to come back and get better." . . . Craft had ankle surgery on June 18 to shave off bone spurs and fix a chipped tibia from high school. The injury is what sent him limping down the court to walk off the pain in many games last season, but after six weeks, he was back to normal and figures to be better now. Craft did not perform the surgery on himself, but though he continues to gain notice as an NBA prospect, his future as a doctor remains his priority. "We're planning on nothing happening after college except for med school," Craft said. "If something happens outside of that, that's great news." . . . Ross, a sophomore, is expected to play a major role, and maybe even start, after the beginning of his career was delayed by academics and set him back enough to keep him on the bench for nearly his entire first season. He played just 35 minutes. "I've been waiting to get back for a while," Ross said. "I felt like I sat on the bench so long last year, I should be stuck to it right now."

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

The Browns are 0-5; the Bengals, 3-2. Cleveland lost at Cincinnati, 34-27, on Sept. 16.

The Browns' Trent Richardson (33) runs 32 yards for a touchdown during Cleveland's 34-27 loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sept. 16. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns play the Cincinnati Bengals at Browns Stadium on Sunday.

The Browns lost to the Bengals, 34-27, in Cincinnati on Sept. 16. Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot wrote the game story on the loss that made the Browns 0-2.

Cleveland.com's Browns History Database includes Plain Dealer stories on almost every Browns regular season and playoff game from 1946-2010. Click here for the first page of links to Browns-Bengals game stories.

The Browns have won 36 games and the Bengals have won 42 in the all-time series between the teams that began in 1970, when the merger between the old National Football League and American Football League was completed. Cleveland joined Cincinnati in the newly-named American Football Conference, leaving what then became known as the National Football Conference. The teams have played in the same division ever since (except from 1996-98, when Cleveland didn't have a team): first, in the AFC Central Division, before it was re-named the AFC North Division in 2002.

Cleveland and Cincinnati have never met in a playoff game.

The Browns are 0-5, the NFL's only winless team. They lost their season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-16 in Cleveland, then, following the 34-27 loss at Cincinnati, followed with a 24-14 home loss to the Buffalo Bills, and road defeats to the Baltimore Ravens, 23-16, and the New York Giants, 41-27, on Sunday.

The Bengals are 3-2 following their 17-13 loss at home to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Cincinnati lost its season opener, 44-13, at Baltimore, before winning three straight games: the 34-27 home victory over the Browns; 38-31 over the Redskins in Washington; 27-10 over the Jaguars at Jacksonville.

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has kept his vow to the Browns to be a model citizen while adjusting to life in the NFL.

Browns rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon has stayed out of trouble off the field, and was nothing but trouble for Giants defensive backs last Sunday. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio — Browns rookie receiver Josh Gordon showed up for his postgame press conference Sunday in New York nattily dressed in a gray tweed vest, black bow tie and his favorite magenta oxfords.

It was almost as if he knew he might score his first two NFL touchdowns and have to hold court.

"When you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you play good," said Gordon. "I'm trying to handle all of this in a business-like manner."

His coaches have taken notice.

"He's definitely dressing better," said offensive coordinator Brad Childress. "His sartorial splendor is something to watch when he gets on the plane now. I've seen it really evolve here in the last five weeks."

That's not all the coaches have seen evolve about Gordon. Since he arrived in late June, they have watched him go from a wide-eyed and overwhelmed rookie to a model citizen off the field and bona fide receiving threat on it.

Against the defending Super Bowl champion Giants, he hauled in the two TD passes -- a 62-yarder in the first quarter that made it 14-0, and a 20-yarder in the fourth that narrowed the gap to 41-27. It was the first time a Browns receiver had caught two TDs in a game since Braylon Edwards had a pair on Dec. 23, 2007, at Cincinnati.

"He had his best practice [last week] and it manifested itself on the field," said Childress. "Will we backstep? We might. That's part of being a rookie. [But] he's a smart guy, he's a great note taker and he's become a better practice player and game player."

Perhaps best of all, Gordon has lived up to his vow to not be a problem off the field. Picked in the second round of the supplemental draft, Gordon came in on red alert, having tested positive three times for marijuana in the previous two years, twice at Baylor and once at Utah.

He had been banished from both football programs and didn't know his next move. He considered playing at Houston, but wasn't sure how he would pay for it. Wasn't sure how he would pay for anything, really. Then he plunged into the supplemental draft and his life changed on a dime.

"Total 180," he said. "It's been crazy."

He signed a four-year deal worth $5.3 million, including $3.8 million guaranteed, and didn't have to wonder about his next meal any more. What's more, he was able to help his mom, whose apartment had burned the year before and was living in hotels.

"She doesn't have to worry anymore, and that's less stress on me," he said.

It's been a whirlwind for Gordon, who's currently starting opposite Greg Little, because of injuries to Mohamed Massaquoi, Travis Benjamin and Jordan Norwood. The Browns have needed him to grow up fast and have ridden him hard at times. But the pressures of the NFL haven't caused him to revert to his old behaviors.

"It's been easy for me [to stay clean]," he said. "Off the field, there hasn't really been anything to tempt me, and it's never really been a problem like that."

Getting kicked out of Baylor and off the Utah team has made him cherish this opportunity and not look back.

"I'm going about it real mature, as if it's a job and as if it's the most important thing in my life -- and it is -- so it's not anything to really mess with or play around with or anything like that," he said. "It's definitely not college. I definitely realize what's in front of me, so I appreciate everything I get and I wouldn't do anything like that."

Gordon was struck last week by the ESPN special "Broke," about NFL players who squandered their money.

"I definitely learned from it," he said. "I definitely don't want to end up like a lot of those guys. You really have to think about what you can do for certain people and when to say no."

For Gordon, it has always been about his mom and brother, and it's still that way now. His brother moved here with him and is taking some classes at Cleveland State, might even try out for the basketball team.

"We take care of each other," said Gordon. "We don't really have much and we're not really used to having much, so we're fine."

The Browns have kept tabs on their young players' personal lives, and they have been happy with Gordon.

"The only way I have to judge him is what he's doing in meetings, what he's doing on the field," said Childress. "Is he showing up on time? Is he productive when he's here? I've seen that from him. He seems to be a good worker."

After the Giants game, Gordon heard from Baylor coach Art Briles and assistant Brian Norwood, Jordan's father.

"They're definitely proud of me," he said. "They believed in me all the time so it's good to have those kind of guys in your corner."

Now, Gordon just wants to stay on track and build off his New York minute.

"I'm just trying to finish out the season real well and keep all the off-the-field stuff behind me," he said. "I'm blessed and grateful to be here. Hopefully everybody will forget about [the past] one day and just see me for the player I am."

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

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The steelhead trout fishing has been good in the lower stretches of the local rivers and streams. If the weather cooperates, Lake Erie yellow perch fishing should be biting from Huron to Cleveland. Crappie are moving to shallow structure on inland lakes.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoRichard Howard fishes for yellow perch off a Lake Erie break wall east of downtown Cleveland in early October.

Early runs of steelhead trout are luring anglers to the lower stretches of Northeast Ohio rivers and streams. The weather will have much to do with Lake Erie yellow perch fishing success, which has been good in many locations. Some Lake Erie walleye are being caught, with the Huron area a traditional fall hot spot. On inland lakes and reservoirs, crappie are gathering around near-shore structures.

Cleveland area Lake Erie yellow perch fishermen will need to keep an eye on the wind, but perch are being caught off Cleveland Harbor in 38 to 39 feet of water. Good catches have been reported off the Rocky River, south of the Cleveland Crib and off Bratenahl when the wind cooperates.

Lake Erie Yellow perch fishing has been good in 43 to 45 feet of water off Avon Lake, Beaver Creek and Cranberry Creek.

Central Basin walleye fishing has been poor to fair, with the waters about four miles north and northwest of the Huron River a top location. Anglers are reporting the night bite has begun in 15 to 20 feet of water between Huron and Vermilion, depending on wind direction and water clarity.

The top breakwalls for casting spinners, spoons and suspending jig-maggot rigs under a float have been at the mouth of the Grand River.

Rivers and streams Good numbers of big steelhead trout have run up the lower stretches of the rivers and streams from Lake Erie. The Chagrin and Rocky rivers are leading the way. Most of the rivers are already low and clear, requiring a stealthy fishing approach with spawn bags, jig-maggot rigs and jigs tipped with emerald shiner minnows. Fly fishers are casting minnow and egg patterns. Anglers are targeting trout near the river mouths from small boats, casting spinner, spoons or suspending jig-maggot and jig-minnow combos under a float.

Inland lakes, reservoirs The Ohio & Erie Canal in Cuyahoga Heights is being stocked with 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout and 1,000 catfish for Saturday's Outdoor Odyssey children's event. The fishing area is closed until Saturday at noon for kids and adult anglers. Try worms or dough balls on or near the lake bottom. The trout prefer jig-maggot combos, Power Bait and worms suspended under a float. The Cleveland Metroparks released 600 pounds of farm-raised catfish Thursday at Wallace Lake in Berea.

Crappie are moving shallow as the weather cools, biting jig-minnow rigs cast to woody shoreline structures and docks. The Portage Lakes are tops for crappie, especially Turkeyfoot Lake and adjoining Mud Lake.

The walleye fishing has perked up at Pymatuning and Mosquito lakes on jerk baits and jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or minnows cast to the shallow points and humps. Berlin and Milton lakes are giving up walleye, most under the 15-inch size limit.

-- D'Arcy Egan

Fishing tournaments

Fish Huron Ohio Walleye Challenge

(Lake Erie at Huron)

All catches are for five-fish limits.

1. Team Tailpipers (Scott Geitgey, Jason Kopf, Jay Gullett), 42.85 pounds, $4,000; 2. Blue Dolphin (Gary Zart, Nicholas Zart, Joe Nazdam), 40.82 pounds, $3,000; 3. Bugsy's Baits (Mark Bogen, Randy Mulder), 39.81 pounds, $2,000; 4. Team Davey Tree (Glenn Reedy, Kevin Hays), 38.92, $1,500; 5. Team Bite Me (Jonathan Siembor, Mitch Shipman, Robert Burkholder), 37.39 pounds, $1,200. Big Walleye: Reel Naughty (Jerome Dorlack, Todd Miller, Chris Miller, Rich Miller), 12.27 pounds.

Dog trials

All-Breed Hunter's Trials

Earl Williams Appreciation Day

Cuyahoga Coon Hunters Association, Hinckley

Dogs of the Day -- Pointing: Earl Williams, English pointer (EP), Champ. Flushing: Del Reckart, English cocker spaniel (ECS), Tracy.

All-Age -- Pointing: 1. Earl Williams, EP, Champ; 2. Joe Kusmierczyk, EP, Mac; 3. George Roudebush, weimaraner, Luke; 4. Gary Thozeski, Brittany (Brit), Chili. Flushing: 1. John Kelley, English springer spaniel (ESS), Titan.

Open -- Pointing: 1. Earl Williams, EP, Pete; 2. Bert Scali, German shorthaired pointer (GSP), Sandy; 3. Joe Pitts, EP, Gilbert; 4. Lou Dell'Osso, Brit, Tanaka. Flushing: 1. Shawn McCraw, ESS, Duke; 2. Tim Holowecky, ESS, Dusty; 3. Dave Rydzinsky, Labrador retriever (Lab), Hailey; 4. John Rizzo, Lab, Martie.

Derby -- Pointing: 1. Jason Bowers, GSP, Cooper; 2. Rich Gombach, English setter (ES), London. Flushing: 1. Del Reckart, ECS, Tracey; 2. Tim Holowecky, ESS, Winnie; 3. Ken Prince, golden retriever, Duke; 4. Fred Wright, Lab, Bars.

Puppy -- Pointing: 1. Autumn Yafanaro, EP, Sampson; 2. Bert Scali, GSP, Remi; 3. Dennis Barbish, EP, Casey. Flushing: No awards.

Senior -- Pointing: Joe Kusmierczyk, EP, Mac; 2. Dennis Barbish, EP, Boss; 3. Regis Cantini, ES, Charlie. Flushing: 1. George Hajek, ESS, Chico; 2. Keith Tolliver, Lab, Cooper; 3. Chris Yanik, Lab, Belle; John Rizzo, Lab, Teke.

Crooked Creek Conservation Club, Hartsgrove

All-Age -- Pointing: 1. Bob Allen, GSP, Oreo. Flushing: 1. John Kelley, ESS, Titan; 2. Lou Monaco, ESS, Casey; 3. Mike Sustin, Lab, Scout.

Open -- Pointing: 1. Bert Scali, GSP, Sandy; 2. Mike Losik, GSP, Lady. Flushing: 1. Joe Beckett, Lab, Annie; 2. John Kelley, Lab, Duke.

Derby -- Pointing: 1. Heath Sironen, GPS, Maggie; 2. Heath Sironen, GSP, Major. Flushing: 1. Del Reckart, ECS, Tracer.

Puppy -- Pointing: 1. Bert Scali, GSP, Remi; 2. Jason Manaco, GSP, Tel. Flushing: 1. Chris Miller, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Kopper.

Water Trial: 1. Mike Sustin, weimaraner, Scout; 2. Keith Tolliver, Lab, Copper; 3. Joe Beckett, Lab, Annie.

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott sees a lot of himself in rookie Dion Waiters -- which is why Waiters has to earn a starting position.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCavaliers coach Byron Scott has big expectations for rookie Dion Waiters, above.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — For better or worse, Byron Scott sees a lot of himself in young Dion Waiters.

Like Waiters, Scott was a shooting guard in his playing days.

Like Waiters, Scott was the fourth overall selection in the NBA Draft.

Like Waiters, Scott did not start immediately as a rookie.

Unlike Waiters, Scott waited patiently -- until January, as he remembers -- before he earned a starting position with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1984.

All of that is why the Cavaliers coach is going to be hard on Waiters, a rookie who reminds Scott so much of himself. Scott showed a glimpse of what happens when his expectations are not met.

He yanked Waiters from Tuesday's preseason game against Milwaukee after Waiters did not run the play drawn up during a timeout.

"I told him the reason I'm going to be hard on him is because I played that position and I see greatness in him," Scott said. "He's just got to do it every single day. He's a rookie. He's young, and he's come a long way in a number of different departments. And he still has a ways to go."

Through two preseason games, Waiters has been unremarkable in shooting 30.8 percent from the field coming off the bench. It's a role he learned to embrace at Syracuse for two seasons, but one he fought at first, he has admitted. At Cavaliers Media Day two weeks ago, Waiters grinned and said he was relieved to have a starting position, finally.

Apparently, he didn't realize he was speaking too soon.

"I've got to earn it," he said Thursday. "Nothing is given. It's up to me to go out there and take it. That's putting the work in, every day. Two, three times in the gym when nobody's around. Just putting the work in and staying on top. Don't ever get too low or too high, learning how to stay in-between."

When Waiters didn't start his freshman season at Syracuse, he said he nearly transferred. After two games with the Cavaliers, he said he's not sulking but instead has sought the advice of veterans -- Kyrie Irving and former Cavalier Zydrunas Ilgauskas, among them -- and tried to follow Scott's instructions.

"There's a lot that I can learn from him," Waiters said. "He's been in the same position as me. He won championships. I got everything around me that I need to make me a better player."

Waiters, however, said he wasn't aware of the level of Scott's displeasure with his mishandling of the play against the Bucks until he talked with reporters Thursday. He said he failed to make a cut in the play Scott drew up and Scott yanked him.

"I didn't know nothing about it until just now," he said. "I don't pay attention to things like that. The only thing I can do is learn from it and get better."

Scott sees a lot of himself in Waiters -- including the potential to earn the same kind of accolades he did as a player. Scott not only was on the All-Rookie First Team, but he won three NBA championships with the Lakers.

"What do I expect from him? I expect him to be a hell of a basketball player," Scott said. "But I do understand the process. He's a rookie. I was a fourth pick too, back in the day. It's going to take some time. I love what he did [Thursday in practice] and I love his attitude. He understands that Coach is going to be hard on him because Coach cares about him."

And one: Cavaliers forward Luke Walton did not travel with the team to Champaign, Ill., for tonight's preseason game against the Chicago Bulls. Walton is suffering from a strained left hamstring.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654

During the past few decades, there has been a massive effort to stop polluters and clean our streams and rivers, including the river that once burned, the Cuyahoga. The Rocky River has been a major beneficiary, earning a worldwide reputation for its outstanding steelhead trout fishing and easy access for all anglers.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III, The Plain DealerThe East Branch of the Rocky River.

Cleveland offers some of the finest fishing in the country. The people who live here aren't going to let anyone spoil our pristine waters.

That's the message I have been getting from fishermen and outdoors-minded folks for the past six months. They demanded to know who dumped toxic waste into the East Branch of the Rocky River last spring that killed more than 30,000 fish, ranging from minnows to vibrant steelhead trout.

A diligent investigation by local, state and federal officials provided an answer Wednesday. Renato Montorsi, 79, and his wife, Teresina, 74, of Grafton, were indicted in federal court. The couple owned a business just up the hill from the fragile stream where rainbow trout are stocked and steelhead trout roam.

U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said Renato Montorsi wanted to get rid of a 55-gallon drum of liquid cyanide, so he punctured it and poured the toxic chemical into a nearby storm sewer a short distance away from the popular river.

What the Montorsis stand accused of is what so many companies and individuals had once done -- casually dumping waste into our waters to save a few dollars.

But during the past few decades, there has been a massive effort to stop polluters and clean our streams and rivers, including the river that once burned, the Cuyahoga. The Rocky River has been a major beneficiary, earning a worldwide reputation for its outstanding steelhead trout fishing and easy access for all anglers.

The East Branch of the Rocky River is home to a rare population of sensitive big mouth shiners, a tiny fish on the threatened-species list. The watershed supports a small but viable population of extremely sensitive brook trout, a premier game fish in the region more than a century ago that fell victim to industrial pollution. To most everyone's surprise, rainbow trout successfully spawn in the stream.

People were outraged by the fish kill, incensed that someone would cheat them of their clean water and good fishing.

After the spill, an army of investigators from Ohio and U.S. environmental protection agencies, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Cleveland Metroparks refused to quit. When contacted, all they would say is that they were working on the case. They said they had leads and thought the crime would be solved.

Let that be a lesson for anyone who would dare trash our rivers and streams, whether it's the litter of bait containers and beer cans or used automobile oil dumped into a storm sewer. The people care too much -- and so do the experts they rely on to protect our wonderful waters.

Outdoor Odyssey: Cleveland Metroparks is holding its Outdoor Odyssey on Saturday at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights from noon to 4 p.m. While there are lots of outdoor activities, fishing will be in the spotlight. The Ohio & Erie Canal is being stocked this week with 1,000 rainbow trout and 1,000 catfish, and there will be hands-on fishing instruction.

The fishing area is closed until Saturday at noon, when both kids and adults can wet a line.

Outdoor Odyssey is designed to help kids get their hands dirty by fishing, exploring the outdoors, hitting golf balls and even changing a flat tire on a bicycle. The reservation is on Whittlesey Way, off East 49th Street, just off the Grant Avenue exit of Interstate 77.

Antlers and Anglers: The Armstrong Antlers and Anglers two-day show rolls into Ashland County Fairgrounds on Oct. 20-21, showcasing hunting and fishing exhibits and the Hawg Trough, a huge aquarium and fishing stage.

On stage will be Cincinnati bass pro Joe Thomas; Litchfield wildlife chef Andy Emrisko; coyote hunter Don Long; The Plain Dealer's D'Arcy Egan on northern Ohio fishing; Ice Fishing 411 with youth fishing expert Dan Armitage; and a kids' catfish pond. 'For information, visit antlersandanglers.org.

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

The Buckeyes should understand how to savor the taste of victory as much as any team Meyer, now in his 11th season as a head coach, has ever led.

Ohio State defensive back Bradley Roby (1) helped ensure the Buckeyes would enjoy another victory meal last weekend with this interception against Nebraska. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Urban Meyer has carried this Sunday night tradition through his coaching career -- Victory Meal, a chance to reflect on the win from the day before.

Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby explained it as simply as anyone ever has.

"It's Victory Meal, it's not Loser Meal," Roby said. "So it's cool, and we're thankful for another victory. It's Victory Meal."

The Buckeyes should understand how to savor the taste of victory as much as any team Meyer, now in his 11th season as a head coach, has ever led. He has inherited struggling teams before, but never a team that was so unfamiliar with losing. As the Buckeyes prepare to travel to Indiana on Saturday, they will do so with six wins, the same number of games they won all of last season.

When Ohio State slipped past Indiana, 34-20, at home at last year, that was it. Ohio State ended the season with four straight losses. And the Buckeyes have had plenty of time to chew on that.

"I feel like it teaches you how to learn how embarrassing losing is," Roby said of last season. "Last year was a very embarrassing year for our program. I feel like this year we're really trying to bring Ohio State's respect back. I think that's a chip we carry on our shoulder every game."

It's a reality they relish every Sunday.

Ask about the food at Victory Meal, and the answer comes with a shrug.

"It doesn't matter what's on the plate. Coach Meyer always talks about that," center Corey Linsley said, "that it doesn't matter what's on the plate. It's the fact it's Victory Meal."

Not the what, but the why.

"Sunday is a long day for us and we come in and break down the tape, but to finish it off with kind of a reward for your efforts on Saturday and get a nice meal and get to sit around with your teammates and sit around with the coaching staff," senior captain and defensive lineman John Simon said, "it's kind of something special as a family we do."

In the grind of the season, it can be easy to take wins for granted. Not with this group. Meyer told ESPN The Magazine before the season that while at Florida he started skipping Victory Meal to move right into preparing for the next game, and soon his players followed suit. As part of his different outlook on coaching, he has vowed to never fail to enjoy and appreciate another win.

"It happened. I saw it happen. It happened with me. And it won't happen again," Meyer said Wednesday.

These Buckeyes fell right in line with that. Fifth-year senior safety Orhian Johnson won 10 games on the field his first season in the program in 2008, then 11 in 2009 and 12 in 2010, though the victories that season were later vacated. So a 6-7 season in 2011 was a shock.

"I was blessed to come in with a group of guys who took us to a couple BCS games and winning was a thing we went out there and we expected," Johnson said. "Last year, we took a step back and just getting back into this groove, it kind of feels how those old times were."

During the Buckeyes' stretch of six straight on-field Big Ten titles from 2005 to '10, wins were taken for granted. Even conference championships were. Not now. Meyer has made that point even after beating Miami (Ohio) and Alabama-Birmingham. Every win counts. Especially on Sunday night.

If the No. 8 Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) can handle the Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2), they will have one more win to enjoy than they did a year ago. Even though Ohio State hasn't lost to Indiana since 1988, that will mean something. Get that win, and after practice Sunday, they will gather at the Fawcett Center across the street from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and eat and reflect and know, thanks to last year, that winning is never easy.

"It's mandatory for all players and coaches to be out and enjoy that win," Meyer said, explaining Victory Meal earlier this season. "I read one of our comments by one of our players about the difficulty of winning a major-college football game, and we never want to take that for granted. We have too much respect for the game, and too much respect for our opponents to ever do that."

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

Cavaliers preseason and Monsters regular season games are on radio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

4 p.m. Dollar General 300 qualifying, ESPN2

5:30 p.m. Bank of America 500 Happy Hour Series, ESPN2

7:30 p.m. Dollar General 300, ESPN

1 a.m. Grand Prix of Korea qualifying, Speed Channel

BASEBALL

5 p.m. Baltimore at New York Yankees, TBS (if necessary)

8:30 p.m. St. Louis at Washington, TBS

BOXING

10 p.m. Jonathan Cepeda vs. Lamar Russ;

Jose Pedraza vs. Allan Benitez, Showtime

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

8 p.m. Navy at Central Michigan, ESPN2

GOLF

9 a.m. Portugal Masters, Golf Channel

1:30 p.m. Greater Hickory Classic, Golf Channel

4 p.m. Frys.com Open, Golf Channel

7:30 p.m. Miccosukee Championship (tape), Golf Channel 

9:30 p.m. LPGA Malaysia (tape), Golf Channel

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

7 p.m. Avon Lake at Brecksville-Broadview Heights, AM/850 radio

7 p.m. Buckeye at Firelands, AM/930 radio

7 p.m. Elyria Catholic at North Ridgeville, AM/1380 radio

7 p.m. Keystone at Wellington, AM/1320 radio

11 p.m. Twinsburg at Solon (tape), SportsTime Ohio 

11 p.m. University at Eastlake North (tape), TWCS-23

HOCKEY

7 p.m. NCAA, Notre Dame vs. Maine, NBCSN

7:30 p.m. AHL, Oklahoma City at LAKE ERIE MONSTERS, AM/1220 radio 

1 a.m. Army vs. Nebraska-Omaha (tape), NBCSN

NBA PRESEASON

8 p.m. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs. Chicago (at Champaign, Ill.), AM/1100 radio

SOCCER

11:55 a.m. Men, Russia vs. Portugal, ESPN2

UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE

7 p.m. Virginia at Omaha, CBSSN

Metcalf totaled more than 9,000 yards rushing, receiving and returning punts and kickoffs during his six Browns' seasons.

It seemed the Browns never could find the best way to maximize the talents of Eric Metcalf (with the football), but still, he totaled 9,108 yards and 33 touchdowns as a punt-kickoff returner, rusher and receiver in six Cleveland seasons. David I. Andersen, Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 67, Eric Metcalf, running back-kick returner, 1989-94

Browns' coaches Bud Carson and Bill Belichick never did learn how to maximize Eric Metcalf's abilities, but the speedster sill made lots of big plays during an era when the top playmakers from the Browns' 1980s playoff teams were either aging or sent packing.

Metcalf, the son of former NFL star rusher-receiver-return man Terry Metcalf, was selected by the Browns out of the University of Texas with the 13th pick in the first round of the 1989 draft.

With his speed, balance and flashy moves, Metcalf had big-play capabilities as a running back, receiver and punt-kickoff returner. Carson, in 1 1/2 seasons (before being fired and replaced by interim coach Jim Shofner during the 1990 campaign), and Belichick, in four years, often seemed baffled as to how to best utilize Metcalf.

Sometimes, he didn't get the football enough, and sometimes when he did, it was not necessarily in an optimal situation. "Metcalf up the middle" became a common term among Browns' fans, a poke at the team's play-callers, implying they were wasting the talents of a special player. Indeed, it sometimes seemed the 5-10, 188-pound Metcalf was called on to run between the tackles as often as he was allowed to run a sweep.

Still, Metcalf totaled 9,108 all-purpose yards (2,806 on kickoff returns; 2,732 receiving; 2,229 rushing; 1,341 on punt returns) and 33 touchdowns (15 receiving; 11 rushing; five on punt returns; two on kickoff returns) in regular season games with Cleveland.

For many Browns' fans, Metcalf's most memorable game was on Oct. 24, 1993, when he returned punts 91 and 75 yards for touchdowns in a 28-23 win over the Steelers. The second one, with about two minutes left, gave the Browns the win before a boisterous Cleveland Stadium crowd.

Metcalf, defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry and offensive tackle Tony Jones were the only Browns to play in both of the team's most recent playoff wins, both at Cleveland Stadium: 34-30 over the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 6, 1990, and 20-13 over the New England Patriots on Jan. 1, 1995.

Metcalf returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in the win over the Bills, giving the Browns a 31-21 lead in the third quarter. "I got a lot of key blocks and I just found a hole and from there on it was a race," he said. "Because of the blocking, they gave me a couple of lanes to choose from and I got to the end zone."

Metcalf was a Pro Bowl selection in the 1993 and 1994 seasons, and earned first-team all-NFL status as a kick returner both years. The NFL Players Association picked him as the 1994 special teams Player of the Year.

Yet, the Browns traded Metcalf and their first-round pick (No. 26 overall) to Atlanta for the Falcons' first-rounder (No. 10) prior to the 1995 draft. That deal led to another Cleveland trade, involving multiple draft choices, with the San Francisco 49ers. One of the picks acquired by the Browns was San Francisco's first-rounder in the 1996 draft. It was the Baltimore Ravens, though, not the Cleveland Browns, who were able to take advantage of that selection -- after then-owner Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore following the 1995 season. Baltimore used the pick to take future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: Eric Metcalf highlights include -- beginning about 2:55 in and lasting about 5 1/2 minutes including NBC replays -- his two punt returns for touchdowns during the Browns' 28-23 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 24, 1993 at Cleveland Stadium.

Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson returned to practice today despite suffering a head injury last week.

BEREA, Ohio -  Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson returned to practice today after sitting out Wednesday with the concussion suffered in the Giants game and said he expects to play Sunday vs. the Bengals.
 
That would be great news for the Browns, who surrendered 135 of Ahmad Bradshaw's 200 rushing yards last week after Jackson left the game late in the second quarter.
 
If Jackson is limited, rookie James-Michael Johnson is ready to step in. Johnson returned from his oblique injury last week, but played only on special teams. "He's worked mostly outside but he can play inside,'' Jauron said.

Jackson was the only one of the seven players who sat out Wednesday to return today. In addition, linebacker Scott Fujita, who was limited Wednesday with a shoulder injury, wasn't on the field in the early 15 minutes of practice open to the media.

Fujita, who is appealing his new one-game suspension by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, said Wednesday he'll play Sunday.
 
Among the six players who didn't return to practice today were three receivers: Mohamed Massaquoi and Travis Benjamin (hamstrings) and Jordan Norwood. Norwood walked through the locker room in a walking boot and on crutches. If none of the three can play, the Browns will promote Josh Cooper from the practice squad. Cooper was Brandon Weeden's second favorite target at Oklahoma State.

 The only healthy receivers on the roster are Josh Cribbs, Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress said the team can go into the Bengals game with three receivers if it has to, but it's more likely Cooper will get the nod.

 Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (lower leg) also sat out today for the second straight day and appears doubtful for the game. That means rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes will most likely start.  "You never want to lose Rube,'' said Jauron. He said in addition to Rubin's fine play, "He's a quiet leader.''

Coach Pat Shurmur said both rookies have played well and stressed "they're not just holding down the fort until Phil Taylor comes back. They're making plays.''
 
Cornerback Dimitri Patterson is still idle with his sprained ankle and said Monday he'll be out at least a few weeks. That means either second-year pro Buster Skrine or Trevin Wade will play in the nickel position this week. Jauron said Skrine's confidence is fine despite getting picked on by quarterbacks the last couple of games. "I think he's all right,'' said Jauron. "I have a lot of admiration for the way he plays and I have a strong belief in him.''

 With Joe Haden back, the Browns might have their two original starters at cornerback, including Sheldon Brown, who sat out the first Bengals game except for one play.

In other Browns news:

• Shurmur said Taylor, who's on the physically unable to perform list with his surgically-repaired torn pec), is on schedule in his rehab. He hinted he'll be back practicing next week.

Royal Nemesis edges out Sneak a Cold Treat in the Best of Ohio Sprint.

The most thrilling race of the stakes day was a battle between Sneak a Cold Treat and Royal Nemesis in the $50,000 Best of Ohio Sprint. Jockey Scott Spieth pushed Sneak a Cold Treat to the early lead, and Royal Nemesis, with Hector Rosario in the saddle, challenged the 7-year-old gelding. They raced side-by-side, but turning for home, Royal Nemesis finally put a head out front.

"I looked over at Hector in the final turn and told him, 'Well, here we go,' " said Spieth, with a smile.

Sneak a Cold Treat ($2.40) managed to come back deep in the stretch, regain the lead in the six-furlong dash and win by a half-length in 1:10.36. Reggies Cat was third.

Owned by the Luch Racing Stable, Sneak a Cold Treat is trained by Jeff Radosevich.

Deshawn Parker got credit for heavily favored Blazing Bling's ($2.60) easy victory in the $75,000 John W. Galbreath Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, keeping the filly comfortable and on track for her third stakes win against a field of six. The freshman filly was tackling two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile race. Parker eased her into the lead, put her on cruise control for a very slow half-mile, and prodded her to a two-length, 1:47.68 victory with a hot final quarter.

Deniro's Saint was second, with second-choice Pyrite Blues third.

"Deshawn saved Blazing Bling early," said trainer Tim Hamm of Blazing Meadows Farm. "It was a great race and a super ride. When you've got a young horse, you hope they're good. Blazing Bling was always nice, a little small but with a lot of heart."

The biggest surprise of Best of Ohio Day was Spieth's second victory aboard long-shot Silver Tongued ($48.80) in the $75,000 Juvenile Stake for owner Sherri Greenhill and her trainer husband, Jeff Greenhill, of LaGrange, Ky. They bought the Ohio-bred son of Flatter at a yearling sale for $17,000, but it was slow going.

"Silver Tongued had shin problems early," said Jeff Greenhill. "He's a big colt, and had a lot of baby fat. It took forever to get it off. In his only start we tried him in a sprint at Mountaineer Park, and he got knocked sideways coming out of the gate. I didn't think he was a sprint horse anyway, and decided to run him in the Juvenile [at 1 1/16 mile]."

"I watched him warm up and he had a long stride," said Spieth. "I figured if I could keep him steady and let him run, he'd do all right."

After the favorites wore themselves out, Spieth cut Silver Tongued loose over the final 3/8-mile, roaring to a 31/2-length victory in 1:47.80 with Pyrite Mill second and Pyrite Green third.

It was deja vu all over again in the $75,000 Best of Ohio Distaff, as veteran Pay the Man and 4-year-old Muir Woods bumped each other down the stretch for the second straight year. It ended the same way. Pay the Man won the Distaff with Luiz Gonzalez in the saddle, as Muir Woods and jockey Rosario finished second. This year, however, no objection was filed.

A rejuvenated 8-year-old brown mare, Pay the Man ($18.20) notched her second win of the season for the Pyrite Stables after taking an impressive six of eight in 2011. Pay the Man covered the 1 1/8-mile course in 1:51.78 to win by more than a length.

"It wasn't a bad bump," said trainer Miguel "Angel" Feliciano. "Pay the Man has a big heart, and she's always trying."

Jockey Jareth Loveberry had his hands full early with Only Boy in the $75,000 Best of Ohio Endurance, but managed to bide his time in the lengthy 11/4-mile marathon against favored Eyes Super Freaky to win his second Thistledown stakes of the season.

"[Only Boy] was dragging me, wanting to go early, but I finally got him relaxed and covered up," said Loveberry. "I was worried when [Eyes Super Freaky] took off to a big lead."

Only Boy had lots left, though, and Eyes Super Freaky faded badly in the stretch. Only Boy ($9.40) roared past to win his third in 10 starts, including the Lewis Memorial here on July 12. Raise the Reward was second and Bold Captain third. From the Our Blue Streaks Stable and trained by Larry Rivelli, Only Boy was clocked in 2:05.02.

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

Kent's defense will have a busy day against Army's option offense, which ran for 516 yards last week in a win over Boston College.

View full sizeBill Wippert, Associated PressDri Archer and the Kent State Golden Flashes will be going for their third straight win on Saturday against Army.

KENT, Ohio -- Kent State will try to extend its three-game winning streak on the road against Army, a team that seems to have found its option groove.

The Black Knights (1-4) are a throwback with their option offense, a run-oriented power football game.

In Army's first win of the season, last week against Boston College, the Black Knights rushed for a whopping 516 of their 595 yards of offense and ran 92 plays. Army leads the nation in rushing with an average of 397.2 yards per game.

The Golden Flashes (4-1) hold teams to an average of 128.4 rushing yards per game, best in the MAC. However, KSU's lone loss, 41-14 at Kentucky, came with the Wildcats rushing for 185 yards, including TD sprints of 67 and 38 yards.

Running, however, is also something KSU does well, particularly the past three games. Starting running back Trayion Durham has put together games of 112 yards rushing at Buffalo; 91 yards and two TDs against Ball State; and 116 yards and two TDs at Eastern Michigan.

On the season, Durham has rushed for 460 yards and five touchdowns and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

And that has come while giving up a fair share of carries to slotback Dri Archer, who is averaging 8.8 yards per carry and 80.6 yards a game rushing. Archer also has scored five rushing TDs.

After a trying week, rookie Dion Waiters scores 18 points to lead the Cavaliers past the Chicago Bulls, 86-83, in a preseason game on Friday night at Assembly Hall at the University of Illinois.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Before Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls at the University of Illinois, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said he wanted to get a good look at forward Luke Harangody.

And a good look is what he got.

Harangody had nine points in an active 9:16 in the first half, as the Cavs built a big lead and squandered most of it before escaping with an 86-83 victory to improve their preseason record to 2-1.

Rookie Dion Waiters had 18 points, including 4-of-4 3-pointers, to lead the Cavs after a trying week. The No. 4 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft came into the game averaging 6.5 points and shooting 30.8 percent in the first two preseason games. He was yanked from the game and called out by Scott for a lack of focus on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I was happy with the way he played," Scott said. "I thought he played pretty solid basketball. . . . He hit his first couple of shots and then got rolling pretty good, offensively. He's going to be a good player. This is still a growing stage for him. He's still learning. But he had his best night tonight. That was a good night. He's capable of shooting like that."

While the Cavs were happy to see Waiters rebound, his spot on the team is secure.

The same can't be said for Harangody.

The 6-8, 246-pound Notre Dame product from Schererville, Ind., in the northwestern corner of the state hadn't played at all in the first two games of the preseason. That was somewhat surprising given that Tuesday's game against Milwaukee was in Canton, where the big power forward starred for the Cavs NBA Development League team last season.

He averaged 19.4 points and 12.6 rebounds in 36 minutes per game, while helping the Charge advance to the D-League semifinals in their first year. He also played in 21 games for the Cavs, with one start, averaging 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds. In one memorable stretch late in the season, he started four games in four nights, including three D-League playoff games.

That sort of relentless effort is what he brings every night and why he's still hanging around in spite of his unorthodox jump shot.

"He plays hard," Scott said. "He's just a great effort guy. He comes with that energy and that effort every single day. That's just his MO, and I love that about him."

Though he played three scoreless minutes in the first quarter, Harangody scored all his points in the second, as the Cavs built a 50-29 lead on the Bulls. He made all three of his shots, including a 3-pointer.

"He did a good job in the first half, then I played Samardo [Samuels] in the second half," Scott said. "I wanted to take a look at him as well. But Luke played really well the first half. I was really thinking about going back to him [in] the second half, but I made up my mind I was going to play Samardo in the second half."

Harangody admitted it felt good to finally get a chance to play.

"I've been champing at the bit just to get out there," he said. "I knew I had to make the most of my opportunity. Nothing has happened so far. That's what I do. I come off the bench and try to bring a lot of energy."

Asked what he thought his status was with the team, he said, "I try not to think about that. I try to control what I can control, go out there and play hard every day. Whatever coach Scott needs me to do, I'll do."

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

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

SOLON, Ohio — It was a game both teams needed to win. Twinsburg needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and to give itself a possible shot at powerful Mentor in the final game of the Northeastern Ohio Conference Valley Division season.

Twinsburg

SOLON, Ohio — It was a game both teams needed to win.

Twinsburg needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and to give itself a possible shot at powerful Mentor in the final game of the Northeastern Ohio Conference Valley Division season.

Solon needed a win to salvage a season decimated by injuries.

Twinsburg's hopes survived. Solon might be hurting more than ever.

Twinsburg scored twice in the final eight minutes and its defense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter and came up with a huge turnover with 5:51 to go to earn a 29-22 come-from-behind victory over the host Comets in Stewart Field on Friday.

"You never quit," Twinsburg coach Joe Schiavone yelled to his team in their postgame huddle.

That's for sure. They scored the game-winning points with 1:25 to go to cap what seemed like a game-long comeback.

The Tigers, who have played most of the season with star running back John Barton, raised their overall record to 5-3 and 3-0 in the River Division. They are tied with Mentor and play a struggling Medina team next week prior to the final-game meeting with the Cardinals.

"Now our focus is on Medina," said Schiavone, when asked about the possible showdown with Mentor in two weeks. "Right now our focus is on Medina."

Solon has been relegated to playing with a staggering amount of inexperienced players and has been forced to play players out of position. Still, coach Jim McQuaide refused to use that as an excuse.

"You have to compete," McQuaide said prior to the game. "We've just been participating."

The Comets (4-4, 1-2) competed Friday but it wasn't enough.

Twinsburg, which had 346 yards of offense, trailed, 22-14, entering the fourth quarter. It tied the game, 22-22, with 7:58 remaining when quarterback Jalen Washington threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to senior Anthony Ellis on a crossing pattern. Washington rolled around right end for the successful 2-point conversion on a bootleg play, just getting into the end zone before being squashed by two Solon defenders.

Solon attempted to rally and moved to the Twinsburg 42 before Cooper Rea's interception changed the game's complexion. With Washington and senior running back Tyrone McGuinea taking control, the Tigers scored in 10 plays, with McGuinea going the final 2 yards.

McGuinea gained 21 yards on six carries in the drive and finished a night of hard work with 157 yards on 35 carries. Washington completed three straight passes for 29 yards on the drive, with Rea hauling in two.

"Solon is a good team, we knew that coming in," said Washington, who completed 14 of 26 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns and ran 61 yards on 14 carries. "We had a rough first half and our defense kept us in the game. We knew if we could score some points the defense would have our backs."

Both teams committed two turnovers in the first half.

Solon took an early lead when Michigan State recruit Darian Hicks returned a punt 40 yards to set up a seven-play, 51-yard drive, highlighted by a 19-yard gain by Khoury Crenshaw, who finished with 68 yards on 15 carries while Hicks finished with six receptions for 109 yards, which included touchdowns of 32 yards from former quarterback Drew Barksdale on a halfback option and a 34 yarder from Ryan Gallagher that gave the Comets a 22-14 lead with 58 seconds to go in the third quarter.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

LYNDHURST, Ohio — It all depends on your point of view. Visiting Shaker Heights could only rue the one that got away, while Brush celebrated the one they took away. Either way, the Arcs pulled off the upset, 22-21, on Brendan Burkholder's 23-yard field goal with 1:21 left in a Northeast Ohio Conference football game Friday night.

Brush

LYNDHURST, Ohio — It all depends on your point of view.

Visiting Shaker Heights could only rue the one that got away, while Brush celebrated the one they took away. Either way, the Arcs pulled off the upset, 22-21, on Brendan Burkholder's 23-yard field goal with 1:21 left in a Northeast Ohio Conference football game Friday night.

Burkholder's kick was set up by a highlight-film catch by Christopher Cauley. Quarterback Stephen Shorts threw long and high toward Cauley, who was well-covered. Both players went up and the ball bounced free, but Cauley gathered it in while coming down on top of the defender for a 38-yard gain to the Raiders' 15.

"It was an amazing catch," Shorts said. "I just looked up in the sky and said, 'Thank god.' I thought it was an interception. I didn't know what was going on because I got hit."

Burkholder split the uprights from the right hash mark, more than making up for a missed extra point earlier.

"He got it done," Shorts said. "He missed the extra point, but he kept his head up and came right back for it. We had full confidence in him."

The victory was far from secured, considering the big-play capability the Raiders displayed throughout the game. But on a fourth-and-1 near midfield, Shaker's Greg Claytor was stopped for no gain by Brush's Marcus Sweede and Devon Hood.

"That was our season right there," Brush coach Josh Wells said. "All they needed was 14 inches. We knew our quick defensive linemen would give them a little bit of trouble. We were moving guys around and bringing pressure from all over the place and the kids executed the game plan perfectly."

Brush improved to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the NOC's Lake Division. Shaker Heights slipped to 6-2 and 2-1.

The Raiders got huge performances from Claytor (196 yards rushing) and quarterback Jimmie Pope (266 yards passing), but failed to score four times deep in Brush territory.

"We reverted back to our old ways -- undisciplined," Shaker Heights coach Jarvis Gibson Sr. said. "We're disappointed. We thought we overcame those obstacles. We overcame them for six weeks straight, then reverted back."

The first quarter was scoreless after Shaker Heights let two opportunities slip away. Pope completed a 41-yard pass to Melran Leach and a 25-yard pass to Derek Burgess on the opening series, but on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1, Pope bobbled the snap and was stopped for no gain.

The Raiders drove to the Brush 17 on their next possession, but were pushed back by a holding penalty and Leo Katz's 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Brush took advantage of a special-teams miscue by the Raiders to score first. Shorts swept right and picked his away around some nice blocks to score on a 9-yard run two plays after Katz accidentally put his knee to the ground trying to field a low snap on a punt.

Shaker Heights came right back with an 81-yard drive to tie. Claytor carried seven times for 59 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown.

Brush regained the lead on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Shorts to Cauley. The Arcs had to settle for a 13-7 lead when the kick was wide, with 4:41 left in the second quarter.

Shaker Heights let another scoring opportunity get before the end of the half. Pope completed a 71-yard pass to Burgess for a first-and-goal at the 5. Claytor had the ball slammed loose at the line of scrimmage on the next play and Hood recovered for Brush.

The lead see-sawed in the third quarter. Leach's 18-yard touchdown reception gave Shaker a 14-13 lead. Antony Andrews scored on a 31-yard pass from Shorts, but the Raiders regained the lead on 13-yard end-around by Leach.

Another Shaker threat went by the wayside in the third quarter when Odell Spencer fumbled after a reception inside the Brush 10. Joshua Parker recovered for the Arcs.

Bob Migra is a freelance writer in Westlake.

See a photo gallery from the game here. MAYFIELD, Ohio — The Mayfield Wildcats may not have been among the believers earlier in the week, but now, count them among the converts.

Mayfield linebacker C.J. Taddeo has a handful of Hudson quarterback Mitchell Guadagni’s jersey as Taddeo tries to bring him down. - (Thomas Ondrey, PD)

See a photo gallery from the game here.

MAYFIELD, Ohio — The Mayfield Wildcats may not have been among the believers earlier in the week, but now, count them among the converts.

The Hudson Explorers, ranked No. 8 in the Plain Dealer Top 25, came to Mayfield and took no prisoners, rolling their way to a 35-13 victory Friday night that adds intrigue to a Week 10 finale at No. 6 and unbeaten North Royalton in the Northeast Ohio Conference's River Division.

"We didn't know how good they were," said Mayfield coach Larry Pinto. "But we found out tonight that they're pretty darn good."

Led by sophomore quarterback Mitchell Guadagni, Hudson's offense was as good as expected. The Explorers entered the game averaging more than 36 points per game. But the defensive performance was a bit of a surprise. Allowing an average of nearly 21 points per game, the defense stepped up and held Mayfield to its lowest point total of the season.

"We played good defense," said Hudson coach Ron Wright. "We had a good game plan, and we executed what we wanted to do."

The Explorers (7-1, 3-0) did an exceptional job of keeping Mayfield quarterback Drazen Markovic under wraps. The senior entered the game having thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and rushed for nearly 500, but he ended the night with just 11 completions in 30 attempts for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

"They only rushed four guys, and they played coverage behind it," Pinto said. "But their defensive line is very athletic, and they did a good job of containing [Markovic]."

On this night, the dual-threat quarterback was Guadagni, who completed 17 of 27 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns, while also leading the Explorers in rushing, with 112 yards on 11 carries. For the season, he now has 20 touchdown passes and two interceptions.

"Our quarterback coach has said all along that he's fulfilling his potential," Wright said. "He's doing what we ask him to do and keeping it within himself."

The expected offensive showdown never materialized, as Hudson took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and never looked back. While Ben Gedeon (105 yards on 13 carries) and Tim Kennedy scored the first two TDs, the Wildcats mustered only 6 yards on their first two possessions.

Mayfield finally broke through late in the second quarter on a 21-yard scoring pass from Markovic to Mitch Longo, but the point-after attempt failed, making it 14-6.

The game turned on Hudson's next possession, as the Explorers drove deep into Mayfield territory only to stall at the 24-yard line. On fourth-and-15, Hudson lined up to attempt a 41-yard field goal, but Mayfield called timeout to ice kicker Pierce Royster.

When the Explorers came back on the field, it was with their regular offense, and Guadagni hit Kennedy on a 21-yarder for a first down at the 3. Two plays later, Guadagni hit Leighton Antonio on a 3-yard pass that was tipped by Mayfield defender Jonathon Mangelluzzi but fell into Antonio's hands.

Joe Magill is a freelance writer in Auburn Township.

See a photo gallery from the game here. BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — Have pass, will catch it.

Avon Lake senior wideout Jimmy Hessel (31) keeps his eyes on the tipped football as Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ Austin Strnad (32) closes in during the second quarter of the Shoremen’s win Friday night. - (Chuck Crow, PD)

See a photo gallery from the game here.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — Have pass, will catch it.

That was the undeniable offensive act put on by Avon Lake junior quarterback David Winkel and senior wide receiver Jimmy Hessel on Friday night. The duo put on their dynamic show of pitch and catch to propel the visiting Shoremen to a 31-21 victory over Brecksville-Broadview Heights in a pass-happy Southwestern Conference contest.

Hessel was all over the field all night. He hauled in 12 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns, intercepted two passes from his defensive back position and totaled 130 yards on three kickoff returns.

"No, I've never had a game like that," said Hessel, who scored on catches of 12, 13 and 16 yards. "I don't think we expected that much, but they were giving us the pass. We did a pretty good job of capitalizing."

The Shoremen (6-2, 4-1) did that for sure in the first half as they built a 24-7 lead.

Winkel kept finding an open Hessel, hitting him 11 times for 173 yards before intermission.

The quarterback opened the scoring with a 23-yard burst up the middle for the game's first points. Winkel passed for 234 yards on the night, with 200 coming in the first half.

Avon Lake needed that cushion because the Bees (4-4, 4-1) found their consistency behind senior quarterback Tommy Tupa after the break. Tupa connected with his junior wide receiver brother, Tim, for third-quarter touchdown passes of 7 and 16 yards to close the gap to 24-21.

But Hessel came into play once again as he returned a kickoff 50 yards to the Brecksville 28. Five plays later, Winkel found him for their third touchdown hookup, this one from 17 yards, for a 10-point advantage.

"They couldn't cover him," said Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz, whose club came in ranked No. 19 in The Plain Dealer Top 25. "He's just a well-rounded athlete. We kept [Brecksville's] offense off the field. We wanted to at least make [Tommy Tupa] uncomfortable in the pocket."

The Shoremen kept Tupa off the field in the fourth quarter as they used up more than seven minutes. Junior running back Wyatt Ohm did his best work late, finishing with 66 yards on 27 hard-fought carries. Winkel added 67 yards on the ground.

Tommy Tupa finished 30-of-52 for 416 yards and three scores. There was some frustration also, however, as Hessel intercepted him in the end zone to end the first half and stopped another drive with a pick at the Shoremen 42-yard line with two minutes to play.

"It was tough to do," said Brecksville coach Jason Black, about having to play from behind all night. "[Hessel] wasn't their only good player out there. Their quarterback did a good job and they put some pressure on our guy."

Brecksville outgained Avon Lake, 443 yards to 390. Tim Tupa had 11 catches for 148 yards and senior Tyler Tarnowski added 10 catches for 215 yards and a score.

The Shoremen early on gave notice it would be a big night for Hessel as they drove 83 yards in 11 plays the first time they touched the ball. Key was a 31-yard reception by Hessel. Winkel then surprised the Brecksville defense by going up the middle on the 23-yard scoring jaunt.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse