HOUGHTON, Mich. — Ashland University’s postseason football hopes absorbed a crippling blow on Saturday.
Michigan Tech upset the Eagles 24-21 when Brandon Cowie tossed an 8-yard TD pass to David Walter with just 36 seconds remaining. That capped a 12-play, 75-yard march the Huskies completed in 2:35.
Ashland (7-2 overall, 5-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) was ruined by turnovers, committing four in the game.
Junior tight end Adam Shaheen caught a 12-yard touchdown pass, his school-record 13th of the season, from junior quarterback Travis Tarnowski to put the Eagles on top, 7-3. But Michigan Tech immediately countered with a 64-yard TD pass and the tenor of the game was established.
Early in the fourth quarter, Tarnowski hit sophomore wide receiver Matthew Wilcox for a 33-yard scoring strike and a 14-10 lead with 12:53 to play. But again the Huskies regained the lead at 17-14 after a fumbled punt.
Ashland retook the lead on a two-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Vance Settlemire to make it 21-17 with 3:11 to play.
But the Arrows’ defense simply couldn’t stop Tech on the final crucial drive.
Tarnowski was 24-for-37 for 256 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Wilcox, in his first game coming back from injury, caught three passes for 98 yards and a score.
On defense, senior inside linebacker Zach Olszewski had 13 total tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, while senior safety Terrell Hudson added 10 total stops and an interception.
Ashland plays its final home game of the season on Saturday’s Senior Day at 1 p.m. vs. Walsh (1-8, 0-8) at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field.
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