By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — There was a buzz on the practice field Monday as the Browns returned from their bye with several starters, including star running back Nick Chubb, returning from injuries. However, there was a noticeable absence: the quarterback. Baker ...

By TRAVIS JOHNSON Associated Press STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Justin Fields looked eager to make up for lost time during Ohio State's season-opening blowout of Nebraska, operating the Buckeyes' offense with such efficiency pollsters vaulted his team to No. 3 in the polls after four quarters ...

By The Associated Press undefined No. 3 Ohio State (1-0) at No. 18 Penn State (0-1), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Line: Ohio State by 12. Series record: Ohio State leads 21-14. WHAT'S AT STAKE Ohio State can take a big step toward controlling the Big Ten's East Division with a win. Penn ...

By TRAVIS JOHNSON Associated Press STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State defensive tackle Antonio Shelton saw something new this week as he watched recent film of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. It's an attribute that could make it even tougher for the 18th-ranked Nittany Lions to ...

By JEFF WALLNER Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati played Memphis twice in a span of eight days last season, in the final regular-season game and again in the American Athletic Conference championship. Both games were close, but both were losses for the Bearcats. "It comes down ...

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer The first weekend of Big Ten football was full of surprises. Indiana upset a top-10 foe for the first time in 33 years. Rutgers snapped a 21-game conference skid. Northwestern and Purdue moved to the top of the West Division while Penn State and Michigan ...

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Brad Hand's solid season didn't earn him another one with the Indians. Feeling the financial pinch from a shortened season, Cleveland declined Hand's $10 million contract option on Friday and also chose not to exercise options for either ...

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Baker Mayfield brushed aside all the outside noise about his dismal performance last week. Then, nursing sore ribs, he shut up all the critics. "What criticism? What are you talking about?" Mayfield quipped after throwing five touchdown ...

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Indiana jumped into The Associated Press college football poll Sunday after pulling off the weekend's most dramatic upset and Ohio State moved up to No. 3 following a dominant season debut. Clemson remained a rock-solid No. 1 and Alabama was No. 2. ...

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow keeps putting up big numbers, and the Cincinnati Bengals keep letting the games slip away at the end. The Bengals lost another close one on Sunday to the Cleveland Browns because again they couldn't protect a ...

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield spent much of Sunday afternoon running from the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Monday, the critics were after him. Mayfield's poor performance — and coach Kevin Stefanski's decision to pull him early to protect him from further ...

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall has been named director of baseball operations for the team. The Reds announced Monday that Krall was being promoted to replace Dick Williams, who resigned Oct. 7 to assume a larger role in his family's development business. Krall ...

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals say they're playing well enough to win most of the time, especially with the dynamic playmaking and big numbers put up by rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. But the finish has been a problem for Burrow and the ...

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — The trappings of a rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns have lingered even as the results have grown remarkably one-sided. Bad blood. Trash talk. Emotionally charged games. The only thing the long-running series has ...

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer The Browns have been pitiful in Pittsburgh — for half a century. Whether playing in old Three Rivers Stadium or at Heinz Field, with its tricky winds and rowdy, towel-twirling fans, most of Cleveland's trips down the Turnpike and across the Pennsylvania state ...

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger predicted Chase Claypool's breakout. Now the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is gearing the rookie wide receiver for what comes next. Score four touchdowns in a game, as Claypool did in a 38-29 win over Philadelphia last ...

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer No. 8 Cincinnati's game at Tulsa on Saturday has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests among Bearcats players. The American Athletic Conference announced Thursday the game is being rescheduled for Dec. 5. The number of players who ...

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona revealed he underwent several surgeries in a four-day span and required an extended stay in intensive care while dealing with major health issues that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season. Francona missed ...

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens completed a deal, and that was about it. Not much at all when it comes to trades on the first day of the virtual NHL draft. The Blue Jackets getting center Max Domi and a third-round pick from the Canadiens ...

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds president Dick Williams has resigned to pursue other interests with his family's property development business, the team said Wednesday. The 50-year-old Williams worked in Reds baseball operations for 15 years and has been president since 2016. The Reds said ...