STORY AND PICTURES BY MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, Ohio – Miami RedHawk men’s basketball fans got their first peek at the John Cooper era Wednesday as MU  held off the Maryville Saints, 73-64,  in an exhibition contest at Millett Hall.

With standout forward Julian Mavunga departed after four years and sharp-shooting guard Brian Sullivan gone via transfer, the RedHawks have their work cut out for them in 2012-13 – especially in a very strong Mid-American Conference East Division.  Earlier this week, a media poll picked MU to finish last in the East.

By STEVE UHLMANN
After suffering a devastating loss to the rival Miami RedHawks Saturday, the Ohio Bobcats returned to work Monday hoping to bounce back from seeing their undefeated season and BCS bowl dreams come to an end.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ohio Bobcats and the Toledo Rockets have been selected to win their respective divisions in the 2012-13 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. The poll was announced prior to the league's preseason media teleconference and was determined by a 24-member MAC News Media Panel. The Bobcats also garnered 16 votes to win the FirstEnergy MAC Men's Basketball Tournament. Ten of the league's top men's basketball players were also selected to the preseason All-MAC teams for the East and West Divisions as announced by the league office.

The Mid-American Conference Monday announced its Week Nine Players of the Week.

NASHVILLE, Tenn - Vanderbilt scored 14 points in the final two minutes of the first half and had a 28-point burst in the third quarter to break open a 49-7 win over the UMass football team on Saturday night at Vanderbilt Stadium. Jordan Rodgers threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while the Commodore's ground game picked up 226 yards and three total scores.

By JACK CARLE
Sentinel Sports Editor
Defense is a beautiful thing for Bowling Green.
In the last month, the Falcons have emerged as the top defensive team in the Mid-American Conference and that trend continued Saturday in a 24-3 victory over Eastern Michigan. With the win, the Falcons are 6-3 overall, having won five straight games, and 4-1 in the MAC East. Eastern Michigan is now 1-7, 0-4 in the MAC West.

Story and photos by  MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH – Freshman Kaleb Patterson drilled a 31-yard field goal on Miami’s final possession, and the RedHawks held off a final challenge as MU upset No. 23 Ohio Saturday, 23-20, at Yager Stadium.

Patterson, a freshman from South Carolina, didn’t know a whole lot about the historic MU-OU rivalry, but he became a piece of that history with three field goals, including a game winner that capped an eight-play, 59-yard drive.

“I saw a couple videos online about the rivalry, and I was asking some of the older guys about it. I got a little taste of what it was,” said Patterson, who kept the big kick simple. I “just do what I do.”

Amherst, NY - Junior David Fluellen had a memorable homecoming, rushing for a career-high 228 yards and two touchdowns to lead Toledo to a 25-20 victory over Buffalo in a rain-soaked game at UB Stadium on Saturday.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Kent State captured the program's first ever win over a nationally-ranked opponent Saturday with a stunning 35-23 upset of previously undefeated Rutgers.

WEST POINT, N.Y.- The Ball State football team (6-3) became bowl eligible for the second straight season under the tutelage of second year head coach Pete Lembo after its 30-22 road win at Army (1-7) Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.