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MOSCOW -- The Kontinental Hockey League, widely considered the worlds strongest hockey competition outside the NHL, is considering cutting teams because of financial pressure.A recession in Russia, where the KHL is based, and the low price of oil have hurt the fortunes of the Russian state-owned companies and regional governments that fund most teams, pushing several deeply into debt.League president Dmitry Chernyshenko said the KHL board is set to discuss an optimization of the number of clubs taking part, in comments Monday to state agency R-Sport.I think its possible that the league could contract if the board takes that decision, Chernyshenko said.The move occurs months after a significant expansion with the addition of a team in China, a market also being targeted by the NHL for future merchandising growth. However, the Chinese team, split between Beijing and Shanghai, has struggled to attract fans, with attendance below 1,000 at some games at the Shanghai arena.The KHL features 29 teams across eight countries in Eastern Europe and Asia, though most are based in Russia and even the non-Russian teams tend to rely heavily on Russian state funds to meet their wage bills.Last week, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov accused Russian regional governments in financial difficulties of being irresponsible by continuing to sponsor sports teams. Gale Sayers Jersey . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. 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"It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. EUGENE, Ore. -- Every team has one of them: A player who hasnt gotten much attention from outside the program but has made a significant impact on his teammates.It might be a scout-team regular, or even a walk-on. It might be someone who just grinded it out every day and never complained.At Oregon, that guy is senior running back Jarret LaCoste.LaCoste was a walk-on at Oregon two years ago when the Ducks went to the first College Football Playoff championship game. Hes since become a key contributor on the scout team -- last week he was tasked with simulating Stanfords Christian McCaffrey.Ask his teammates and theyll all say hes a beast in the weight room, helping younger players to keep up their offseason lifting regimens.LaCoste, who played this season against Washington and gained 55 yards on 10 carries, has already graduated and hes about to embark on a job with a Portland accounting firm. He was never on scholarship during his career with the Ducks -- but he jokes hes gotten some stylish Nike team gear.Honestly, I never would have dreamed I was going to play Division I football, ever, he said. So my expectations just from the start were low, I was like, `Wow, Im just so honored to be on this team, I cant believe they let me on. This is awesome. But then I thought, `I feel very privileged and honored to be on this team, so I better give them everything I can and never let anyone down.Arizona tight end Josh Kern was originally recruited by then-coach Mike Stoops as a quarterback but switched positions after a redshirt year. Hes had only had a dozen touches.But Kern has been the heart of the Wildcats. He gave the eulogy for senior outside linebacker Zach Hemmila, who died in his sleep in August. Kern also spoke at the funeral of fan Andrew Valdez, a local teen who lost his battle with cystic fibrosis last year.Ive never had to worry about him doing the right thing, coach Rich Rodriguez said. Hes a leader in the community. Hes our top service guy. I dont know if you can be a better role model for all of our players than Josh Kern.His teammates echoed the sentiment.People dont see the stuff that goes on inside of here, but like when we come home from a game and get off the bus, Josh is like, `Hey, you need you ride? Samajie, you want a ride? running back Samajie Grant said. Josh, even though he hasnt been playing like he wants to, is still bringing it every single day.At Colorado, quarterback Sefo Liufau pointed to junior cornerback Andrew Bergner, who joined the Buffaloes last season as a walk-on and provides the offense with a challenge during practice.Sometimes you cant always get the best looks from your scout team, sometimes you dont have the depth, Liufau said. SSometimes you dont have the players to go out there and give us a half-decent look.dddddddddddd. Hes done a really good job this year of going out there and playing ball.Some unsung heroes are players who paid their dues for years and were finally rewarded with a shot. At UCLA that guy is quarterback Mike Fafaul, a former walk-on who became a starter with Josh Rosen sidelined by a shoulder injury.A fifth-year senior, Fafaul was a scout team regular while the starting job was held by Brett Hundley and later Rosen. Last season he appeared in just one game.He learned hed make his first career start during warmups before the Bruins game at Washignton State on Oct. 15. In a 52-45 loss to Utah back the following week, Fafaul set school records for completions and pass attempts (40-for-70) while amassing 464 yards passing with five touchdowns.He got his first career win -- and the game ball -- last week when the Bruins defeated Oregon State 38-24.Hes everything that you want in a quarterback in terms of studying the game and it being serious to him, coach Jim Mora said.Sometimes an unsung hero can be a senior who has just worked unselfishly throughout his career. At Oregon State thats safety Devin Chappell, who has had to shift positions because of injuries that have struck the Beavers defense.Chappell,a walk-on transfer from nearby Western Oregon, started eight games last season, and this spring his teammates named him one of the captains.Devin is one of those guys. Hes a self-made guy, coach Gary Andersen said. He walked on, got a scholarship -- which was so important to him. Hes a good player in this league and hes proven. Hes a team captain and a great leader. He would definitely be labeled a grinder.Stanford guard Johnny Caspers, a fifth-year senior, is much like that, too, Cardinal Coach David Shaw said.Even before the coaches get to everybody, there are guys like Johnny Caspers setting the table saying, `Heres what were going to do. So theres a connection between the coaches and the leaders of the football team, Shaw said. When things are going well, Johnny is one of those guys who say `Hey, hey, hey, hey, we havent won a Super Bowl yet. We got a game this week, lets get back down to things that were supposed to do.---AP Sports Writer Pat Graham in Colorado and Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report, as did AP freelancers Rick Eymer in California and Anthony Gimino in Arizona.---For more college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Anne M. Peterson at www.Twitter.com/anniempeterson ' ' '