Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • C2

C2 SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015 THE HARTFORD COURANT SP RTS PRESS BOX EDITED FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES NFC COWBOYS AT PACKERS, 1 P.M. SUNDAY, FOX Matthews' Move Key To Solidifying Run T' BASEBALL: LHP Johan Santana, 35, is scheduled to make his Venezuelan Winter League debut on Tuesday and expects to return to the majors next season, his agent said. The two-time Cy Young Award winner tore his left Achilles during an extended spring training start in June. Nationals OF Jayson Werth had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. The team said no structural abnormalities were found.

The 35-year-old will undergo a two- to three-month rehab. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Kansas State coach Bill Synder and former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel were among those selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Former Texas RB Ricky Williams and Oklahoma LB Brian Bos-worth were among 15 players selected. Oregon WR Darren Carrington didn't make the trip to Dallas for Monday night's championship game against Ohio State, the school confirmed. Comcast SportsNet reported that Carrington, a freshman who had more than 100 yards in each of the Ducks' last two games, failed an NCAA-administered drug test, testing positive for marijuana.

An Oregon spokesman said coach Mark Helfrich wouldn't address the situation and Carrington's status until Saturday morning's media day. New Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh hired Tim Drev-no to serve as the Wolverines offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Drevno, 45, was the running game coordinator and offensive line coach at USC last season and served under Harbaugh with the 49ers, Stanford and San Diego. Texas QB Kenny Hill was granted his release from the program and can transfer. ESPN.com reported TCU is a strong possibility.

NBA: The Celtics agreed to trade Jeff Green to the Grizzlies for Tayshaun Prince and his $7.7 million expiring contract and a future first-round draft pick, reported. Earlier, the Celtics traded newly-acquired Brandan Wright and his $5 million contract to the Suns for a conditional future first-round pick from the Timberwolves. The 76ers suspended Andrei Kirilenko for not reporting to the team after his trade from the Nets last month. Former Mavericks Roy Tarpley died at age 50. The Dallas Morning News reported that members of the Mavericks organization were informed that the cause of death was liver failure.

Tarpley was the seventh pick in the 1986 draft but his career was shrouded by drug and alcohol abuse and suspensions before he was permanently barred in 1995. NFL: The league is investigating whether text messages were sent to the Browns sideline during games. Texting would be a violation of the league's rules prohibiting electronic communication during games. ESPN.com reported the messages were regarding personnel decisions and play calls. Less than a week after Rams owner Stan Kroenke moved forward with plans to build a new stadium in Los Angeles, St.

Louis revealed a plan for a new open-air stadium on about 90 acres a half-mile from the Gateway Arch. NHL: The Leafs won't hire a permanent coach until after the season. Peter Hora-chek will remain as interim coach for the rest of the season. The Blue Jackets signed Sergei Bobrovsky, 26, to a four-year contract extension. ESPN.com reported that the deal is worth an average of $7,425 million per season.

JEFF HAYNES I ASSOCIATED PRESS CLAY MATTHEWS, right, was moved from outside to inside linebacker at midseason to shore up the packers' run defense. The result: Green Bay allowed just 3.6 yards a carry in the second half of the season. By GENARO C. ARMAS Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. -Tweaks to the Packers' defense at midseason left Green Bay stronger against the run and left opposing offenses with a new question to answer.

Where is Clay Matthews? That is the predicament that the Dallas Cowboys face on Sunday in a marquee playoff game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. "When you get to the nuts and bolts of it, they're an aggressive, attacldng-style defense," Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said. "They're moving people around and putting them in great positions to succeed." None more so of late than Matthews, who, until this year was known more for his prolific ability to get to the quarterback from the edge. The long-haired linebacker has been a headache for offensive tackles since coming into the NFL in 2009. Matthews is still getting his sacks, but he's not just an outside linebacker anymore.

The Packers started playing Matthews more at inside linebacker at mid-season, on the heels of a 44-23 loss Oct. 26 at New Orleans. Mark Ingram ran for 172 yards on 24 carries. Head coach Mike McCarthy was looking to shore up a league-worst run defense. A bye week followed the Saints game before the Packers unveiled the new wrinkle on Nov.

9 against Chicago the same team that ran for 235 yards in the teams' first meeting in Week 4. The move turned out to be a smashing success. The Bears finished with 55 yards rushing on 24 carries, while Matthews recorded a season-high 11 THE WEEK AHEAD Wed. Thurs. Sat.

Sun. Mon. Tues. Fri. tackles and a sack in the Packers' 55-14 rout Overall, the defense allowed 3.60 yards a carry in the second half of the season, down from 4.78 in the first half.

"Obviously, we understand this is playoff football. However, we don't want to treat this thing any differently," Matthews said. "We've been doing some good things and obviously there's room for improvement." The run defense has stiffened just in time to face DeMarco Murray, the league's leading rusher. While the Cowboys pose a threat in the passing game, too, coach Jason Garrett could elect to give Murray more handoffs to help control tempo and keep the ball out of the hands of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "Yeah, especially with the weather and how we're going into this game, we know we have to stop the run," Matthews said.

"Whether that means they're going to run it 20-plus times, we just have to do a good job of going out there and setting the tone early." Matthews' move receives the most attention, though the Packers made other changes. Most notably, Sam Barrington is getting more snaps at inside linebacker, at the expense of playing time for veteran A. J. Hawk. Moving Matthews allowed the Packers to give more playing time on the outside to Nick Perry and Mike Neal.

Defensive tackle Letroy Guion has emerged as a key cog up the middle, while safety Morgan Burnett is having his best season in the league. The focus on the run doesn't mean that Matthews isn't rushing the quarterback. On passing downs, Matthews has often returned to his familiar role of rushing from the outside. He could be rushing from the inside, too. Whatever Matthews is doing is working, because he has 6Y2 sacks over his last four games.

"We put a lot on his plate and he's handled it extremely well. Not many guys can do the things that he does," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. UConn Cincinnati, Tulsa, men 11a.m., 9:30 p.m. XL Center UConn SMU, Temple, women 3 p.m. 7 p.m., Gam pel Patriots Ravens, 4:35 p.m.

UConn UMass Notre men's Lowell, Dame, hockey 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. XL Center Bruins Flyers, Lightning, Rangers, 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Rangers Sharks, Islanders, Bruins, Blue 10 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 p.m. Jackets, 7 p.m. Wolf Pack B'port, Norfolk, 7 p.m. 3 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Celtics Raptors, Pelicans, Hawks, Bulls, 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Knicks Hornets, Bucks, 1 p.m. London, 3 p.m. Nets Pistons, Rockets, Grizzlies, Wizards, 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7 p.m. Hartford New men Hampshire, 7 p.m. Hartford Maine, women 2 p.m. Central Robert LIU men Morris, Brooklyn, 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Central Robert Mount women Morris, St. Mary's, 1 p.m. 1 p.m. NFC PANTHERS AT SEAHAWKS, 8:15 P.M. SATURDAY, FOX Stingy finishing school ON THE AIR Mi BASKETBALL 11 a.m.: Cincinnati at UConn.

ESPN2; Radio: 1080 Noon: Navy at Army. CBSSN Noon: Ohio State at Indiana. ESPN Noon: Georgetown at Providence. FS1 Noon: Clemson at Pittsburgh. YES 12:30 p.m.: George Washington at La Salle.

NBCSP 1 p.m.: Kentucky at Texas CBS 1 p.m.: Minnesota at Michigan. ESPNU 1 p.m.: Hornets at Knicks. MSG 2 p.m.: St. Joseph's at Virginia Commonwealth. CBSSN 2 p.m.: Louisville at North Carolina.

ESPN 2 p.m.: Seton Hall at Creighton. FS1 10 p.m.: Rangers at Sharks. MSG MOTORCYCLE RACING 9 p.m.: Monster Energy Supercross: Phoenix. FS1 SOCCER 7:45 a.m.: English Premier League, Sunderland vs. Liverpool.

NBCSP 12:30 p.m.: English Premier League, Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur. NBC 5:55 p.m.: Mexico Primera Division, Club America vs. Club Leon. UNI 9 p.m.: Mexico Primera Division, Pachuca vs.

Cruz Azul. TELE TENNIS 4a.m. (Sunday): ATP, Tennis Brisbane International: Final. TENNIS Northeastern at Towson. SNY Texas Tech at Kansas.

ESPNU DePaulatVillanova. CBSSN Hamilton (Tenn.) vs. Oak Hill 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m, 4 p.m, ESPN 4 p.m, 4 p.m, Baylor at Texas Christian.

ESPN2 Boston College at Miami. YES STREETER LECKAGETTY The Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28), with quarterback Cam Newton, has led the NFL in rushing since Week 13. Seahawks defense in 4th quarter is nearly foolproof By Sam Farmer Tribune Newspapers The Seahawks have been tough at the end of the season and even tougher at the end of games. The defending Super Bowl champions, who sputtered earlier this season, have won their last six games and haven't allowed a fourth-quarter point during that stretch, permitting an average of just 66 rushing yards and 136.2 passing to finish with the NFL's top-ranked defense for the second consecutive year. "We finish better than anybody," Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said.

"It's a mindset of tackling, finishing. It land of signifies what we are as a team. We always talk about finishing, and having nobody score in the fourth quarter is a key component to that." The Panthers certainly are finishing better than they started. They went 1-8-1 during one 10-game stretch and are the first team to make the playoffs after going more than two months without a victory. The Panthers ended the season with four wins in a row, however, then beat the Cardinals in a wild-card game.

Defeating the Seahawks will require another gear. "We have to play better than we have," said Panthers coach Ron Rivera, whose team lost to the Seahawks 13-9 at home in Week 8. "We just have to be smarter. We have to protect the football." The Seahawks are looking for their fifth consecutive victory over the Panthers. In the last three, Panthers quarterback Cam By the numbers Per-game averages, except for sacks and turnover margin, which are season totals (league ranking in parentheses).

CAR OFFENSE SEA SUNDAY BASKETBALL Noon: Women's College, South Florida at Temple. CBSSN 1 p.m.: Women's College, Kentucky at South Carolina. ESPN2 1 p.m.: Women's College, LSU at Texas ESPNU 1 p.m.: Women's College, Duke at Florida State. NESN 1:30 p.m.: Duke at North Carolina State. CBS 2 p.m.: Southern Methodist at Central Florida.

CBSSN 3 p.m.: Women's College, UConn at Southern Methodist. SNY; 3 p.m.: Women's College, Maryland at Minnesota. ESPN2 3 p.m.: Women's College, Tennessee at Arkansas. ESPNU 3 p.m.: Women's College, Georgia Tech at North Carolina. NESN 4 p.m.: Memphis at Houston.

CBSSN 4 p.m.: Women's College, Fordham at St. Bonaventure. NBCSP 5 p.m.: Wichita State at Loyola-Chicago. ESPNU 5 p.m.: Women's College, Georgetown at Villanova. FS1 6 p.m.: Murray State at Jacksonville State.

CBSSN 7:30 p.m.: California at UCLA. FS1 8 p.m.: Florida State at Syracuse. ESPNU 9 p.m.: Cavaliers at Kings. NBA 10 p.m.: Stanford at USC. ESPNU 10 p.m.: Arizona at Oregon State.

FS1 FOOTBALL 1 p.m.: NFC Divisional Playoff: Cowboys at Packers. FOX 4:30 p.m.: AFC Divisional Playoff: Colts at Broncos. CBS Scoring Pass Rush Total Penalty yds DEFENSE Scoring Pass Rush Total Sacks Turnovers 21.2 (19) 219.4(19) 127.2 (7) 346.7 (16) 47.3 (6) CAR 23.4 (21) 227.8(11) 112.0(16) 339.8 (10) 40(13) 3(13) 24.6 (10) 203.1 (27) 172.6(1) 375.8 (9) 63.1 (27) SEA 15.9(1) 185.6(1) 81.5 (3) 267.1 (1) 37 (20) 10(4) 4:30 p.m.: Xavier at Butler. FS1 5 p.m.: Texas at Oklahoma State. ESPNU 6 p.m.: Boise State at Wyoming.

CBSSN 6 p.m.: Virginia vs. Notre Dame. ESPN2 7 p.m.: Kansas State at Oklahoma. ESPNU 7 p.m.: Dayton at Fordham. SNY 7:30 p.m.: Celtics at Raptors.

CSN 7:30 p.m.: Nets at Pistons. YES 8 p.m.: Iowa State at West Virginia. ESPN2 9 p.m.: Georgia at LSU. ESPNU 11 p.m.: Long Beach State at UC Davis. ESPNU FOOTBALL 1 p.m.: NCAA FCS Championship: Illinois State vs.

North Dakota State. ESPN2 2:30 p.m.: Medal of Honor Bowl. NBCSP 4:30 p.m.: AFC Divisional Playoff: Ravens at Patriots. NBC 8 p.m.: NFC Divisional Playoff: Panthers at Seahawks. FOX GOLF 1 p.m.: Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Second Round.

GOLF 5 a.m. (Sunday): South African Open Championship, Final Round. GOLF HOCKEY 1 p.m.: Bruins at Flyers. NESN, NHL 4 p.m.: Northeastern at Boston College. NESN 6 p.m.: Western Michigan at Notre Dame.

NBCSP 7 p.m.: Wolf Pack at Springfield. 1410 7 p.m.: UMass Lowell at UConn. 91.7 7 p.m.: Penguins at Canadiens. NHL 8 p.m.: Minnesota-Duluth at North Dakota. CBSSN 8:15 p.m.: Harvard vs.

Yale. NBCSP 101.5 rushing yards per game. Stewart grew up in Lac-ey, and once played a Pop Warner game on the Seahawks' home field, back when the team played in the long-since-imploded Kingdome. "I watched him and recruited and tried to get him way back then," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. Stewart chose Oregon overUSC.

Asked how well he got to know Stewart, Carroll said: "Not well enough. We didn't get him." Farmer's pick: Neither team will be able to run the ball as well as it's accustomed to. Both quarterbacks are going to try to run, and Russell Wilson is a lot quicker and more agile than Newton. If the Seahawks can pressure Newton, he'll make mistakes. Watch for him to turn the ball over at least three times.

Seahawks 17, Panthers 10. Newton has directed his team to just one TD. One that got away: Seahawks running back Mar-shawn Lynch has gotten plenty of attention for his bruising runs. But the Panthers' Jonathan Stewart has been brutally effective too. Since replacing the injured DeAngelo Williams in Week 13, Stewart has led the NFL with an average of.