Men’s soccer

Caleb Porter has spent two years continuing to build Akron’s soccer program.

The university rewarded him this week with a two-year contract extension that will last until 2011.

During Porter’s tenure, Akron has the best winning percentage in the nation. The Zips finished No. 10 in RPI last season. Moreover, the recruiting has been phenomenal.

Mack Rhoades should not have extended Porter’s contract. Rather, Rhoades should have found a sturdy pair of shackles to keep Porter tied to Lee Jackson Field.

Women’s basketball

Jodi Kest reeled in the nation’s 59th best recruiting class, an expert says.

This comes in the aftermath of a large portion of the team being kicked off the roster.

To be honest (and I want to stay as far from Don Imus territory as possible), the women’s basketball players who I saw around campus were, categorically, the rowdiest team on campus. Aside from Sarah Tokodi, who seemed nice, Kest probably achieved addition by subtraction.

Women’s basketball

In today’s edition of ZipMail, Jodi Kest sent out a recruitment notice to male students who want to practice against the team.

Maybe this is common, but it seems bizarre to me. I’m sure there is an imminent need for extra players — what with Kest axing a third of the team.

To apply, you must have high school basketball experience and be a full-time student.

Football

In a press release, Mack Rhoades said he anticipated the low APR score and the university already self-imposed part of the penalty.

Football

They didn’t hear their names this weekend, but Jabari Arthur (Chiefs), Davanzo Tate (Jets) Nate Robinson (Giants) and Kris Kasparek (Dolphins) will get a shot at the NFL.

Each signed free agent contracts.

Kasparek is excited about his opportunity with Bill Parcels.

Women’s basketball

Tom Gaffney wrote an interesting story about the five Zips whom Jodi Kest dismissed for violating team rules.

Mack Rhoades supports the decision, which led to three starters, including Sarah Tokodi, being dismissed. Tokodi’s dismissal comes as a surprise because she seemed like an ideal, good-character player for a rebuilding program.

Men’s basketball

Here are some news clips about today’s game…

The Sports Network adequately describes the game, while attempting to set a record for cliche adjectives.

A betting expert says the Flyers are a good choice with the spread. He points out that Akron is 1-3 against the spread this season.

CSTV.com has an excellent preview that discusses many topics. No. 20 Dayton might overlook Akron because it plays No. 23 Rhode Island next week to begin Atlantic 10 play.

The Dayton Daily News preview includes a quote from UD coach Brian Gregory, who said Akron mirrors Dayton in that both teams like to run on offense and pressure the ball on defense.

You can watch this game live (and for free) online at Dayton’s Web site.

Gregory is right about the similarities between the teams. The main difference is that Dayton’s cash cow is a guard, while Akron looks to Jeremiah Wood when all else is failing. Dayton’s frontcourt is skilled and has size, but not necessarily the bulk necessary to keep Wood off the boards.

On defense, Akron probably has the personnel to prevent Brian Roberts from having a huge game. I would be surprised if he scored more than 20. As long as Akron can avoid a giant game from one of Dayton’s secondary scorers, such as Chris Wright, it will be close.

The spread is now Dayton minus 6.5. Take the Flyers if you care about your financial well-being.

Prediction – Dayton 71, Akron 59

Women’s basketball

The Zips might be playing without top scorer Sarah Tokodi for awhile.

She is “out indefinitely” after injuring her knee against Xavier.

Men’s basketball

Maybe there’s hope for Nate Linhart yet.

The Zips’ small forward who seems to be a dogless blind man on offense dropped 17 points against Austin Peay. He won MAC East Player of the Week as a result.

The Zips will play North Carolina A&T Wednesday at 7 p.m. I’ll be back to liveblogging for that game.

Women’s basketball

Sarah Tokodi won her second-straight MAC East Player of the Week award after tallying 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 81-76 win over Houston on Sunday.

That is a ton of boards for a point guard in a 40-minute game. Tokodi is a gem and the key to Jodi Kest’s rebuilding effort.

(Wait. If you never were built in the first place, is it still “rebuilding”?)

Football

The theme — Miami’s offense isn’t outstanding in any facet, but coach Shane Montgomery must be pleased at how the team has performed, considering its youth. The offense is pretty balanced between the run and pass. When the RedHawks run well, they win. The biggest fault is the offensive line’s 26 sacks allowed — 10th in the MAC.

Key players — Coming into the season, Montgomery thought he was going with Brandon Murphy and Mike Kokal at running back and quarterback, respectively. Younger players have outperformed them. Murphy still plays a little, but Austin Sykes and Cory Jones get more carries. Kokal hasn’t played in four weeks, which is when Daniel Raudabaugh took over. The sophomore quarterback has been much more effective.

How Akron can stop them — Bring the house. Make the sophomore QB beat you with quick reads. The turnovers were aplenty early in the year. If the Zips make the opposing quarterback uncomfortable, they will eventually come back.

Notes…

Zippy won again. Next up is Goldy Gopher, the Minnesota mascot who doesn’t understand the immovable obstruction rule in golf. Vote here. The standings are pretty lopsided. The closest mascots to Zippy (9-0) are at 5-4.

The depth chart shows few changes. Most notably, John Mackey is back at starting rover.

In case you haven’t noticed, I have been a little light on the blogging lately. School’s getting kinda crazy. I’ll keep doing what I can the next five weeks, but no guarantees until Dec. 15.

Women’s basketball

Tom Gaffney previewed the season. The Zips lost their season opener 67-55 at Michigan.

Women’s basketball

Akron will open the MAC Tournament against Northern Illinois Sunday without leading scorer Niki McCoy, who is suspended for violating team rules.

Coach Jodi Kest suspended the sophomore guard and three other Zips before Wednesday’s overtime loss at Ohio. Riana Miller and Danyelle Harris will rejoin the team in Cleveland. Ashley Veal will remain suspended.

Northern Illinois (17-11, 8-8 MAC) is third in the MAC West. Akron played the Huskies close on the road Jan. 20, losing 81-70.

Perhaps the bright spot of these suspensions is the emergence of freshman guard Teresa Scott, who scored 21 in McCoy’s absence Wednesday.

The winner of tomorrow’s game will face Kent State Tuesday afternoon.

Winning a MAC Tournament game would put a nice cap on the progress Kest has made in her first year with a young team. (I’m curious as to who will actually drive out to Cleveland for these early tourney games, though.)

Women’s basketball

Akron played well offensively, but allowed Northern Illinois to score 81 this afternoon.

The Zips lost on the road 81-70.

At 0-6, Akron is searching for its first MAC win. The Huskies (12-5, 4-2 MAC) were a tough opponent and West Division leader Ball State will be, too. The Cardinals will visit Rhodes Arena on Tuesday.

Track

Although no one tallied team scores from the Simmons/Harvey Invitational this weekend, it appears the Zips fared well.

Event winners include Corine Gavin-Hall (200 meter), Cadeau Kelley (triple jump) and James Howell (200 meter).

Swimming and diving

Defending MAC champion Eastern Michigan broke Akron’s six-meet home winning streak this afternoon.

The Zips will get one more warmup before the MAC Championships. Toledo will come to the ONAT next Saturday.

Women’s basketball

It was a close game for the first 10 minutes, then Akron’s inability to make a shot lifted Kent State ahead.

The Golden Flashes won 79-47 today at Rhodes Arena.

The Zips shot just 25 percent from the field, compared to Kent State’s 49 percent. Sarah Tokodi was Akron’s lone bright spot with 26 points.

Simply put, Kent State was nearly flawless on short-range shots. The Flashes also contested each of Akron’s gimmes.

Women’s basketball

While the last seven games indicated how far the Zips have come, tonight showed how far they still must proceed to play with the MAC’s elite team, Bowling Green.

The Falcons bashed the Zips 61-32 with a strong defensive effort that forced Akron to shoot 30 percent from the field.

The Zips also turned the ball over 24 times. Bowling Green capitalized with 22 points off turnovers. Akron did not score of the Falcons’ 10 mishaps.

After the game, Jodi Kest was realistic. She said the result was more of Bowling Green playing well than Akron playing poorly. The cold truth is the Zips don’t have talent to match up with the No. 20 team in the nation’s front line.

Freshman point guard Sarah Tokodi played well below her level. She finished with seven turnovers, four fouls, one assist and one point.

The Zips will have another shot to demonstrate progress on Saturday when Kent State comes to Rhodes Arena for a 2 p.m. tipoff.