ASHLAND, Ohio — Homecoming couldn’t have come at a better time for Ashland University.
The Eagles are in need of some home cooking after last week’s trip to Tiffin.
AU suffered its first regular season loss since 2014 when its comeback bid came up short in a 35-32 loss. The setback was the first of the season for the Eagles, who slipped all the way to 17th in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.
Ashland still leads the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division standings, but another loss would cripple AU’s chances of reaching the playoffs.
“We’re still in the race. We may not be in the driver’s seat anymore, but we’re still obviously in the race,” AU coach Lee Owens said. “Every game is obviously that much more important.
“I don’t think there’s anyone on this team that panics or lost any confidence or questions anything we’re doing. It’s just the nature of this game.”
The Eagles continued an alarming trend last week at Tiffin. The Dragons led 14-0 after the first quarter and 21-10 at the half.
AU (4-1, 3-1) has trailed after the first quarter in its last four games and has trailed at the half three times.
“We need to get that fixed. It’s a real concern,” Owens said after AU’s 35-3 win over Findlay on Sept. 17, a game the Eagles trailed 3-0 after the first quarter.
Saturday’s opponent, Northwood (1-4), operates out of the unorthodox woodbone offense. Seven ball carriers have rushed for more than 100 yards in the option-based attack.
“It’s hard to simulate in practice,” Owens said. “It usually takes a little time in the game to catch up with the speed of their execution. It really presents some challenges.”
The Eagles counter with perhaps the most prolific tandem in all of Division II football. Quarterback Travis Tarnowski leads the GLIAC in passing yards (1,578) and touchdowns (14). Adam Shaheen leads all NCAA tight ends, regardless of division, in receptions (35) and receiving yards (592) and is tied for touchdown receptions (seven). Shaheen had 10 catches for a career-best 165 yards and three touchdowns last week.
“He’s playing really good. There’s no question about that,” Owens said. “He creates real issues for opposing defenses.”
The Eagles will hit the road for three straight weeks after Saturday. Four of AU’s final five games are away from Jack Miller Stadium.
“We just like playing at home. We’ve played pretty well here over the years,” Owens said. “I think we play with a little more confidence here, which is the case of any team in America. You’re home, you sleep in your own beds and get up and play at your own place.
“Obviously, we’re glad to be home (We’re) glad to see all the alumni come back and enjoy the day.”
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.
