Enquirer staff and wire reports

Defending Mid-American Conference champion Miami is in a three-way tie atop the East Division at 5-1, but needs to win out at Western Michigan Saturday and at Akron while hoping for a Marshall loss to either Bowling Green or Western Michigan to make its second straight MAC title game.

On Nov. 20, Miami closes the season at Akron, also tied for the MAC East lead. Akron plays at Ohio Saturday.

• Bowling Green running back P.J. Pope, a Wyoming High graduate from Fairfield, was named MAC co-offensive player of the week after rushing for a career-high 205 yards and three touchdowns as BGSU pounded Western Michigan 52-0.

UTAH STATE: Coach Mick Dennehy was fired after a five-game losing streak and 2-7 start to the season. Dennehy was in his fifth season at Utah State and under contract through next year. Dennehy, who came to Utah State from Montana in 1999, was 18-36 with the Aggies. His best seasons were 2001 and 2002, when Utah State went 4-7.