ASHLAND – Fresh off their first road shutout in 23 years, Ashland University’s football team will take its show on the road again this week for another Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest.

The No. 18-ranked Eagles (4-1, 3-0) will play their fourth road game in five weeks against Northern Michigan (1-3, 1-2) this Saturday in the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan.

After holding Davenport scoreless last week en route to a 38-0 win, AU jumped up two spots in the American Football Coaches Association Coaches Division II Top 25 poll heading into their tilt against NMU.

Eagles on offense

AU quarterback Travis Tarnowski continues to lead the GLIAC in passing yards (1,205) and passing touchdowns (13), and has been extremely efficient with the ball. Including the end of the 2016 season, Tarnowski has thrown 162 consecutive passes without a pick. During that stretch, he has thrown for 1,458 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“Is it the player? Absolutely. Is it the system? Absolutely,” AU coach Lee Owens said. “Our offense is built where our quarterback has answers. We’re never putting him in a situation where he has to force the ball.

“There will be a ball tipped or batted … that whole interception thing, whether it is zero, one or three or four, the bottom line is I trust him to throw the ball on every down, from every field zone, and that’s what’s important.”

Senior wide receiver Matthew Wilcox leads the conference in receiving yards (492) and yards per catch (23.4), and also paces the Eagles with 21 catches and three touchdowns.

Junior tailback Andrew Vaughn, a Black River grad, leads AU’s rushing attack with 399 yards and five touchdowns. Vaughn has scored a rushing touchdown in four straight games.

The Eagles lead Division II in fewest penalties per game (2.4) and are third in the country in fewest penalty yards per game (26.6).

Eagles on defense

AU has been keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone at a GLIAC leading rate. Ashland is ninth in Division II in scoring defense, allowing just 12.8 points per game. In the past three games, the Eagle D has given up just 17 points, 14 of those in the second half against Northwood when the game was already decided.

“We’re an attack defense. I think we’re going to continue to do that,” Owens said. “Our offense and special teams are giving our defense a chance to make the opposing offenses go the distance. That’s hard to do against any defense, particularly our defense.”

Junior defensive end James Prater Jr. is second in the GLIAC with 7 ½ tackles for loss. Sophomore Clay Shreve leads the Eagle D with 35 total tackles and he also has added 3 ½ tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Junior running back Jake Mayon is the Wildcats’ biggest offensive threat, leading the GLIAC with 670 rushing yards. He is second in the conference with 101 carries and third in the league in yards per carry (6.6). He also has grabbed 12 catches for 150 yards.

“No one’s stopped him yet. He’s just running wild against everyone,” Owens said. “He’s a tough, physical guy that’s quick and runs hard. I don’t think anybody’s ever tackled him for a loss, so it’s a concern of ours.”

Senior Jaranta Lewis (326 passing yards, two touchdown passes) and freshman Ryan Johnson (316 passing yards and two passing touchdowns) have split the quarterbacking duties for Northern Michigan. Their top targets are Mayon and sophomore wide receiver Ryan Knight (15 catches, 222 yards, 3 TDs).

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