The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Sports shorts OSU RB Weber declares for draft
Ohio State junior running back announced on Twitter Dec. 16 he was forgoing his final season and entering the 2019 NFL Draft.
Weber said he will play in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes play Washington on Jan. 1.
During his first season in 2016, Weber ran for over 1,000 yards for Ohio State with nine touchdowns.
When J.K. Dobbins arrived two seasons ago, he shared the load and had 626 yards and 10 touchdowns.
This season, Weber has rushed for 858 yards and five touchdowns.
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED >> UCF’s Josh Heupel, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Alabama’s Nick Saban are the finalists for The Associated Press national college football coach of the year after leading their teams to unbeaten regular seasons.
The winner will be announced Dec. 17 at noon.
Heupel guided No. 7 Central Florida (120) to a second consecutive unbeaten season. The American Athletic Conference champions will play No. 11 LSU in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. Kelly led the thirdranked Fighting Irish (12-0) to its first College Football Playoff appearance. The Irish play No. 2 Clemson in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29. Saban has No. 1 Alabama (130) in the playoff for the fifth consecutive season. The Crimson Tide won the Southeastern Conference and face No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29.
College basketball
CSU LOSES IN OT >> Phil Fayne scored a careerhigh 30 points with nine rebounds and three blocks and Illinois State defeated Cleveland State, 88-77, in overtime.
Milik Yarbrough added 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Zach Copeland scored seven of his 12 points in overtime.
Copeland hit a 3-pointer and Yarbrough followed with a bucket to open overtime for the Redbirds (7-5). Copeland added two free throws before Rashad Williams sank two free throws for the Vikings’ only points in the extra period and Fayne followed with a dunk. Copeland and Fayne added two free throws each in the final minute.
Fayne sent the game into overtime with two free throws with 1.2 seconds left.
Williams, a freshman, had career-best seven 3-pointers and 25 points for the Vikings (4-8).
Tyree Appleby added 21, making 12 of 13 free throws, and had seven assists.
Jallam Hill grabbed 12 rebounds.
Baseball
METS, RAMOS AGREE >> The New York Mets have agreed to a $19 million, two-year contract with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The agreement signals an end to the Mets’ pursuit of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. Instead, New York turned to a two-time All-Star coming off a strong year with the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deal has not been announced and is pending a physical.
The 31-year-old Ramos batted .306 with 15 home runs and an .845 OPS last season, ranking fifth among catchers in Wins Above Replacement at 2.4, via Fangraphs.