Cleveland, OH

Why Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Draft decision matters so much to Ohio State and The Game

Published

11 months ago

January 14, 2024

Why Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Draft decision matters so much to Ohio State and The Game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the biggest thorns in the side of the Ohio State football program is finally walking out the door.

J.J. McCarthy once vowed to kill the Buckeyes after they chose Kyle McCord over him, and in doing so he helped with a one-sided rivalry in Michigan’s favor while taking the program to new heights. Now, three years later, he walks away to the NFL Draft with three Big Ten titles, a national title and a 27-1 record.

McCarthy played a vital role in why Ryan Day is 1-3 against the Wolverines, with Day’s only win happening in 2019 when McCarthy was just a junior in high school. As a freshman in 2021, he backed up Cade McNamara but came to throw one 31-yard pass while rushing for another 12 yards in a 42-27 home win. The next year he headed to Columbus as a starter, leaving with a 45-23 win after throwing for 263 yards and three touchdowns and adding another 27 yards and a rushing score. Then he completed the three-peat this past season with a 30-24 win while throwing for 148 yards and a score.

That last win cut the deepest for OSU. It could’ve used that game to change the narrative of what had happened the previous two seasons thanks to a sign-stealing scandal. It also faced a Michigan team that was without its head coach on the sideline. But McCarthy made that not matter. Instead, he got another win, snatched away the Buckeyes’ spot at the top of the Big Ten quarterback hierarchy, and helped the Wolverines close out the four-team College Football Playoff era with a trophy.

He represents the lowest moments the Ohio State football program has endured on the field in the last 25 years. But his departure might be yet another sign that maybe this dark time is coming to a close.

McCarthy is the latest key player on Michigan’s roster who is leaving either because of graduation or NFL Draft declaration. Where the Wolverines go next at quarterback will be a topic all offseason. Its options are Alex Orji — who was used in a wildcat package this past season — Jayden Denegal, Jack Grusser or incoming freshman Jadyn Davis, who was once viewed as a five-star prospect and also had high interest from OSU.

That offseason quarterback battle is where the Wolverines and Buckeyes are alike. But everywhere else, Ohio State seems to be trending upward while Michigan’s peak played out with a win over Washington in the national championship game. Ohio State is busy having all but a handful of its best players choose to “reload the clip” in 2024. Michigan’s best players are leaving one by one.

Plus, there’s still the most important variable in all of this. It’s still unclear whether Jim Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor is done, and plenty are leaning toward the answer to that question being yes.

Ohio State just watched its worst nightmare play out in front of it this season, with a third-straight loss to its rival who now sits at the top of college football. But maybe this season is the worst its ever going to get. Michigan heads into an offseason where it could have to completely reset.

McCarthy’s decision only gets us one step closer to that reality coming true, while the Buckeyes look geared up for a season of now or never.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland, OH – Mild Start to the Week Before Rainy Weather Returns

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Cleveland, OH – Mild Start to the Week Before Rainy Weather Returns

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Cleveland residents can look forward to a brief warm-up at the start of the week, but the reprieve from November’s usual chill will be short-lived as rain and cooler conditions return midweek.

According to the National Weather Service, Sunday will remain mostly cloudy, with a high near 47°F and a southwest wind of 9-11 mph. Overnight, temperatures will dip to 38°F under continued cloud cover.

Monday will bring the week’s warmest day, with highs reaching 55°F. However, showers are likely to begin after 1 p.m., and breezy conditions are expected as south winds increase to 18-21 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Monday night will remain rainy, with lows around 40°F and an 80% chance of precipitation.

Tuesday will see a cooler high of 46°F and a slight chance of lingering morning showers, though skies will remain mostly cloudy. Overnight lows will drop to 33°F under partly cloudy skies.

Wednesday’s forecast features a high near 43°F with mostly cloudy conditions. Rain will likely develop after 1 a.m. into Thanksgiving Day, with lows around 35°F. On Thanksgiving, Cleveland can expect a high of 45°F with showers likely throughout the day, making for a wet holiday.

Rain showers could continue into Thursday night, transitioning into snow as temperatures drop to near freezing. Friday and Saturday will see highs in the upper 30s, with a mix of rain and snow showers possible, along with breezy conditions.

Clevelanders should prepare for fluctuating weather this week, with rain gear needed for Thanksgiving festivities. Stay updated on changes to the forecast as the holiday approaches.

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Cleveland, OH

Ohio high school football scores for regional finals: Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Published

16 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio high school football scores from the fourth week of the OHSAA playoffs, as provided by The Associated Press.

Regional Finals

Division I

Region 1=

St. Edward 13, Mentor 7

Region 2=

Centerville 23, Huber Hts. Wayne 14

Region 3=

Powell Olentangy Liberty 21, Pickerington N. 9

Region 4=

Cin. Moeller 28, St. Xavier (OH) 23

Division II

Region 5=

Akr. Hoban 21, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 7

Region 6=

Avon 28, Medina Highland 20

Region 7=

Sunbury Big Walnut 14, Massillon Washington 7

Region 8=

Cin. Anderson 28, Cin. La Salle 21

Division III

Region 9=

Youngs. Ursuline 54, Gates Mills Gilmour 0

Region 10=

Tol. Cent. Cath. 45, Parma Padua 7

Region 11=

Bishop Watterson 37, Steubenville 7

Region 12=

London 13, Bellbrook 0

Division IV

Region 13=

Cle. Glenville 12, Perry 6, OT

Region 14=

Sandusky Perkins 28, Ontario 21

Region 15=

Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 48, St Clairsville 7

Region 16=

Cin. Taft 26, Kettering Alter 12

Division V

Region 17=

Canfield S. Range 17, Poland Seminary 16

Region 18=

Liberty Center 34, Milan Edison 6

Region 19=

Ironton 55, Wheelersburg 0

Region 20=

W. Liberty-Salem 21, Lewistown Indian Lake 14

Division VI

Region 21=

Kirtland 41, Dalton 6

Region 22=

Bluffton 24, Hamler Patrick Henry 7

Region 23=

Galion Northmor 37, Cols. Grandview Hts. 6

Region 24=

Coldwater 45, Anna 21

Division VII

Region 25=

Jeromesville Hillsdale 44, Cuyahoga Hts. 14

Region 26=

Columbus Grove 14, Delphos St John’s 0

Region 27=

Danville 40, Beaver Eastern 6

Region 28=

Maria Stein Marion Local 21, Minster 7

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Cleveland, OH

PHOTOS: Karl's top pics – Steelers at Browns

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

PHOTOS: Karl's top pics – Steelers at Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66), Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65), and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. The Browns beat the Steelers 24-19. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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