SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — Ashland University won its season-opening football game at Notre Dame College everywhere except where it mattered most — the scoreboard.

On that final scale, the Eagles came up short in a 42-35 overtime heartbreaker.

Most demoralizing of all was how AU dominated the contest.

Ashland led in total yards (548-296), passing yards (352-158), rushing yards (196-138), first downs (26-18), third-down conversions (10-15 to 6-14) and time of possession (35:29 to 24:41). 

Unfortunately, the Eagles also led in turnovers, committing three of them while the Falcons had none. AU also had 6 penalties for 70 yards, compared to 4 for 39 yards for the hosts.

Those factors, eventually, were too much to overcome.

Ashland got the season off on the right foot when junior quarterback Austin Brenner connected with wide receiver KeShun Jones on a 51-yard TD pass just 1:54 into the game for a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

Early in the second period, the Falcons tied it when Tyris Dickerson capped a 9-play 70-yard drive with a 2-yard scoring blast.

AU moved back in front on Brenner’s 16-yard touchdown jaunt to finish a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

But then came a key sequence that proved incredibly costly for AU. The Falcons’ Lee Guam scooped up a fumble and rumbled 65 yards to tie the game with just 1:32 remaining in the half.

Notre Dame opened the second half with an explosion, on Bryce Sheppert’s 99-yard kickoff return. In a span of 1:48 in game action, those 14 points were crucial.

Still, the Eagles battled back to knot the contest at 21-21 after Eli Potts ran 3 yards to finish an 11-play, 83-yard march.

The Falcons got another big play to move on top 28-21 via Chris Brimm’s 61-yard touchdown pass to Davis Patterson.

Yet Ashland tied it again on Gei’vonni Washington’s 2-yard plunge to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive. That made it 28-28 heading to the fourth quarter.

Brenner’s 10-yard dash ended a 5-play, 76-yard march and pushed AU on top 35-28. But it didn’t last long.

Notre Dame’s Patterson scooted in from 16 yards to end an 11-play, 83-yard drive to again tie it at 35-35 with 5:50 remaining.

The Eagles hit a Hail-Mary pass at the end of regulation, but time ran out with the ball on the Falcons 8-yard line.

In the extra session, Notre Dame cashed in on its possession, when Brimm found Devanaire Conliffe for a 12-yard TD.

Ashland’s last chance was snuffed on a fourth-and-inches outside the 15.

Brenner was the Eagles’ clear star, completing 22-of-36 passes for 352 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He also added 89 yards rushing and two scores.

Washington topped the AU rushing attack with 92 yards and a TD, while junior Garrett Turnbaugh registered six catches for 92 yards.

Ashland has its home opener on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the 100-year celebration game at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field against third-ranked Ferris State (1-0).