ASHLAND — Luke Ogi never expected to be Ashland University’s workhorse, but the former West Holmes star isn’t complaining about his expanded role.
The Eagles (11-1) knocked off two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State in a deluge at Jack Miller Stadium last week thanks in no small part to Ogi. The redshirt sophomore rushed for season-best 82 yards on a career-high 26 carries in the 21-18 victory in the opening round of the Division II playoffs.
The Bearcats led Division II in scoring defense and total defense and ranked second in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 57.3 yards per game on the ground. Ogi’s 82 yards were the second most allowed by Northwest Missouri State all season.
Ogi has emerged as AU’s primary tailback largely through attrition. Starter Andrew Vaughn, a product of nearby Black River High School, rushed for 1,086 yards during the regular season but has missed the past two games with a knee injury. Keishaun Sims, Ohio’s 2015 Mr. Football, has been hampered by injury as well.
That left Ogi, also limited by injuries earlier this season, as AU’s No. 1 option.
“Luke was hurt earlier in the year, but he’s starting to get healthy now,” AU coach Lee Owens said. “Those were some tough yards. He fought for every one of them.
“Luke rushed the ball against them as well as anybody in the country has all year long.”
Ogi redshirted his freshman year before flashing glimpses of brilliance in 2016. He rushed for 268 yards on just 17 carries, including a 75-yarder in last year’s opener against Mercyhurst. Of his 17 carries, five went for 20 or more yards.
Ogi has played in seven games this year. Before last Saturday, his top rushing day came in Week Two against Ohio Dominican (68 yards).
So what was the secret to his success last week?
“I think we have the best offensive line in the country,” Ogi said. “It’s just a privilege to run behind those guys.
“It’s a veteran group and I was happy to have those guys blocking for me.”
If the Eagles are to advance deeper into the postseason, Ogi will again have to come up big. AU hosts Harding (Arkansas) University in a Super Region 3 semifinal at noon Saturday at Jack Miller Stadium.
The Bisons rely on a ball-control triple-option offense that leads the nation with 355.8 rushing yards a game and a big play defense that has accounted for five touchdowns this fall.
Ashland is led by quarterback Travis Tarnowski, who for the second time in his career has been nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The fifth-year senior was selected the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year after throwing for 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns during the regular season.
Tarnowski had just one interception during the regular season, but was picked off three times last week against Northwest Missouri State. In his only other postseason appearance, against Grand Valley State in 2015, Tarnwoski also had three interceptions.
“The monkey’s off my back now. We won a playoff game,” Tarnowski said last week. “That’s over with. Now we can just play football.”
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University.
