ASHLAND, Ohio — The Eagles are soaring, but coach Lee Owens hopes his team remains grounded after last week’s historic comeback.
Fifth-ranked Ashland University is flying high after last week’s 39-31 win at seventh-ranked Ferris State. AU trailed the Bulldogs 31-14 in the second quarter before scoring 25 unanswered points.
The victory was AU’s 14th straight in the regular season and snapped a 28-game Ferris State regular season winning streak. It marked the largest comeback in Owens’ tenure at Ashland.
“This team … we just don’t flinch,” Owens said. “We just keep going and keep fighting, fight through it.”
With the schedule getting decidedly easier, Owens is concerned about the Eagles becoming complacent. AU’s remaining seven opponents are a combined 6-22 and none has a winning record.
Next up for Ashland is Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division foe Tiffin. The Dragons (2-2, 1-2) welcome AU to Frost-Kalnow Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
“This game concerns us,” Owens said. “We’re coming off a big win and we’ve got guys going up and down the hallway patting us one the back and it’s Tuesday. That’s OK on Sunday, maybe Monday.”
The Dragons boast one of the most prolific players in the GLIAC in dual-threat quarterback Antonio Pipkin. The reigning GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year, Pipkin has thrown for 843 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 232 yards. He threw for 277 yards and rushed for 75 in Tiffin’s 35-21 loss at Wayne State last week.
The Eagles counter with the second best scoring defense in the GLIAC. AU is surrendering 14.8 points a game and has allowed just 13 second-half points all season. Linebacker Brandon Gency was selected the GLIAC’s Defensive Player of the Week after returning a fumble 39 yards for a touchdown last week. He had 15 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
“Any time you’re in a big game, you expect your players to make big plays,” Owens said.
Ashland’s high-octane offense is triggered by quarterback Travis Tarnowski. The redshirt junior has thrown for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tight end and NFL draft prospect Adam Shaheen has a team-best 25 receptions for 427 yards and four TDs. He caught seven passes for 152 yards, including a 70 yard TD, in last week’s win.
The Eagles are heavily favored this weekend — as they will be for the remainder of the season. Owens just hopes his team can handle its success.
“We know how tough this league is. We’re nationally ranked. We’re defending champs. We’re going to get everyone’s best shot,” Owens said. “If we underestimate (Tiffin), or if we go in there thinking we can’t lose, that’s when you get upset.”
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.
