ASHLAND, Ohio — Lee Owens has piloted some highly-regarded Ashland University football teams during his 12 seasons in charge, but none has generated this much preseason excitement — and for good reason.
The Eagles return virtually everyone from a team that went unbeaten during the regular season last fall. AU is ranked in the top 10 in four preseason polls heading into Thursday’s 6 p.m. opener against Mercyhurst at Jack Miller Stadium.
“There’s a big buzz in the community,” said Owens, a Madison graduate. “It is great to hear folks from the community talk about how excited they are for the opener, how high expectations are. It’s good to be able to create that kind of a buzz about the game.”
Ashland’s offense is triggered by junior quarterback Travis Tarnowski, who threw for 3,121 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing better than 62 percent of his passes last fall. In his 21 starts, the Eagles are 18-3.
Junior tight end Adam Shaheen is a preseason Division II All-American after a record-setting sophomore season. Shaheen led all NCAA tight ends (regardless of division) with 70 catches for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns.
All Shaheen has done since last season is pack on an additional 20 pounds to his 6-foot-6 frame.
“When we started the season last year, I think he was 257 or 258,” Owens said. “He’s 280 right now and he’s gotten quicker. He’s stronger and he still catches the ball really well.
“We’re going to create some issues for defenses, to have that kind of weapon. We have to be creative.”
The offense is also bolstered by the return of tailback Vance Settlemire. The senior rushed for 1,116 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.
The defense is anchored by linebackers Brandon Gency and Zach Olszewski. The duo combined for 185 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss as the AU defense ranked fourth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in both scoring defense and total defense last year.
“Defensively, we played really good football,” Owens said. “There were a couple times when we stuttered on offense and we had to win on defense. That will happen again this year.”
Thursday is the first of three straight home games to open the season. AU will host Wayne State on Sept. 10 and Findlay on Sept. 17 before hitting the road for six of its final eight games.
The Eagles have won 10 straight home games.
“It’s nice being at home. We play at a different level here,” Owens said. “We get great support here. We play with unbelievable confidence.
“Good teams have to win at home and we’ve had a good record here.”
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University and dozens of high schools and universities throughout Ohio.
