ASHLAND, Ohio — Ashland University coach Lee Owens can only hope history doesn’t repeat itself Saturday in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The last time the Eagles visited Michigan Tech, the Huskies dashed AU’s postseason dreams in 2014. Ashland returns to Houghton, Michigan on Saturday and like that last visit, the ninth-ranked Eagles are harboring playoff aspirations. And like that last visit, a second regular season loss would likely derail AU.
“This is a team that knocked us out of the playoffs up there two years ago,” Owens said. “There’s tremendous respect for them.”
The first of three Division II regional rankings were released earlier this week and the Eagles are fourth in Super Region 4. The top seven teams in each of the four super regions qualify for the 28-team Division II playoffs. Postseason qualifiers and first-round pairings will be announced Nov. 13.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Owens said. “We just have to keep winning. You can’t control everything.”
The Eagles were in complete control during last week’s 70-14 win at Kentucky Wesleyan. AU rushed for a single-game record 477 yards in the win. Tailbacks Keishaun Sims, Vance Settlemire and Andrew Vaughn each rushed for more than 100 yards, the first time in Owens’ tenure three ball carriers topped the century mark.
Owens was quick to recognize the guys plowing the road for the hard-charging trio.
“If you look back at the … signature wins, it’s against the two ranked teams, Ferris and Wayne State. In both those games that group up front took over,” Owens said. “They just took over and it’s what they had to do.
“This will be that kind of game against that kind of opponent where whoever at the end of the day blocks the best and runs the ball the best is going to win up there.”
While the ground game has stolen the spotlight in recent weeks, quarterback Travis Tarnowski and a talented group of receivers have continued to shine. Tarnowski leads the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 2,389 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes. Sophomore receiver Kamaron Green has 33 catches for 432 yards and four touchdowns.
“He’s pound-for-pound the toughest guy on our football team. No one will argue that,” Owens said of the 5-foot-7, 161-pound Green. “He shows up every day. He practices his tail off. He’s all in.”The Eagles will need to be all in against the Huskies (2-5), who lost at Northwood last week. Since 2011, Michigan Tech is 14-3 at home after a road game.
“This is a team that seldom loses at home against anyone,” Owens said. “It’s going to be a battle.”
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.
