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DALLAS -- Baylor quarterback Seth Russell was on a mission trip in Brazil when he got the text message that Art Briles was no longer Baylors coach. Cornerback Ryan Reid was waking up at his moms house in Dallas when he found out. Neither saw it coming, and today both are just trying to move forward.The Baylor players spoke to reporters Tuesday during Big 12 media days, for the first time since the programs May coaching change. Both insist theyre staying focused on the season ahead in the wake of the schools sexual assault scandal, and they hope they can help restore the reputation of a school theyre proud to attend.You have to take pride each and every day when you go to work, especially representing a university like Baylor, Russell said. Its an honor to play for Baylor. With all the Baylor nation around, its cool to see the support system and see how everyone has stuck together and not turned their back on us.The players praised the efforts interim coach Jim Grobe has made to support them through the turbulent summer. Russell said their new leader has brought character and an encouraging presence to the team in a time of need.The first thing he told us was hes here to help us and support us, Reid said. I feel like thats the smartest thing anybody could come in and say to a bunch of kids that are heartbroken.The cornerback said the message from Grobe and his assistants this summer, with so much scrutiny on the program in recent months, has been to stay focused on football and only what they can control.We have to keep worrying about football and the season coming, Reid said. We cant wonder why this or why that. That throws us off from doing what we came here to do: win football games, win the Big 12, contend for a national championship.Russell felt helpless being so far away from Waco, Texas -- he was on a Fellowship of Christian Athletes mission trip with fellow Baylor student-athletes -- while the university was experiencing such turmoil. He reached out to Briles right away. Russell said his former coach urged him to stay the course.Russell knows whats being said about the culture of the football program. He knows the actions of some have done considerable damage, and he hopes Baylor players can play a major role in helping repair the schools image.Were all human. If nobody has made a bad decision in life, please tell me, and Ill follow them, Russell said. Weve all made bad decisions. This just happened to be a pretty bad decision by some of the guys, and they paid for it. Theyre not on the team anymore. Theyre not here at Baylor. They lost a big opportunity.But its not going to shape our program. Were trying to build the way people view Baylor back up. Bouchon Hydro Flask France .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Bouteille Hydro Flask France . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. http://www.hydroflaskbouteille.fr/ . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Acheter Hydro Flask . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Hydro Flask Pas Cher . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State found its energy after a sluggish performance earlier in the week, and the Buckeyes needed every bit of it to beat Providence.JaQuan Lyle scored 20 points and JaeSean Tate added 14 as Ohio State held off the Friars 72-67 on Thursday night.Ohio State (3-0) looked sharper after barely surviving North Carolina Central earlier in the week and won this game despite the efforts of Rodney Bullock, who was 5 for 9 from beyond the 3-point line and scored 27 points for Providence (1-1).It just seemed like we had more flow to us, Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.Trevor Thompson added 12 points for the Buckeyes in their opener of the Gavitt Tipoff Games, an eight-game series featuring Big Ten teams against the Big East.Indiana transfer Emmitt Holt scored 11 for Providence, and Jalen Lindsey booked 10 as the Friars as a team shot just 34 percent from the floor. The Buckeyes made exactly half their shots.Providence, searching for an identity this season after the loss of its two best players to the NBA, couldnt overcome the Ohio State lead but was still in the game in the final few minutes.Bullock closed it to 50-49 at the 10-minute mark with a 3-pointer, but the Buckeyes went on a 9-0 run over the next 1:28 to lengthen the lead again. The Friars pulled within two at the 4-minute mark with an Isiah Jackson 3-pointer, but a series of fouls put Buckeyes at the line and allowed them to build the lead and hang onto it.We fought back a couple different times, Providence coach Ed Cooley said. I think we were down by double digits two different times and found a way to get back. We lost a lot last year, and to grind it out and make it a competitive game right down to the wire, Im really proud of our group.The Buckeyes led the cold-shooting Friars 38-28 at the half, highlighted by a 9-2 run that erased a 17-16 Providence lead, and punctuated with aa Keita Bates-Diop dunk off a steal and a 3-pointer from Lyle.dddddddddddd Thats the last time the Friars would lead.Ohio State dominated inside, scoring 42 in the paint against Providences 20.I thought we did a good job finishing down there, Matta said. Its been a little bit of a problematic area for us. Our guys did a good job of getting the ball where we wanted it.BIG PICTUREProvidence: The departures of superstar Kris Dunn and sophomore Ben Bentil to the NBA left Cooley without a proven, experienced player around which he could build this years team, although Bullock stepped up to carry the load Thursday. Some of his teammates are going to have to do more for the Friars to be successful.Ohio State: After struggling on Monday, Ohio State triumphed in their first true test of the season. The Buckeyes were able to hold off Providences scrappy second-half charges and keep the lead.We were up by 12 points at one point, but they went on a run, Lyle said. This team last year probably would have folded and end up losing the game. It shows our maturity and how much we have grown up. We will continue to build off this game.INJURY REPORTBates-Diop went down awkwardly with his leg bent behind him about six minutes into the second half. He stayed down awhile, but eventually was helped to his feet and walked to the locker room under his own power. Matta said Bates-Diop was day-to-day with an ankle injury.UP NEXT:Providence: Returns home to play Grambling State on Saturday.Ohio State: Plays Western Carolina at home Monday night. The Buckeyes also play the day before and the day after Thanksgiving.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25.Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy ' ' '