Opposing offenses are having trouble finding much room on the ground against Ashland University's defense.
After allowing 275 rushing yards to Lake Erie, which features All-American senior tailback Anthony Bilal, on opening night, the Eagle "D" has allowed more than 100 rushing yards to the opposition just once in the last five games:
|
DATE |
OPPONENT |
RUSH YDS ALLOWED |
|
9/12/15 |
at Walsh |
75 |
|
9/19/15 |
OHIO DOMINICAN |
92 |
|
9/26/15 |
FINDLAY |
141 |
|
10/3/15 |
at Malone |
91 |
|
10/10/15 |
at Saginaw Valley State |
52 |
That average of 90.2 rushing yards allowed in the last five contests would rank in the Top 20 in Division II if it were over the entire season. In addition, Ashland's aggregate yards per rushing attempt allowed over the last five games is 2.8.
The Defense Stays Fresher That Way…
The Eagle offense ran 89 plays in the 33-7 win at Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Oct. 10). It's not the most plays run in a game in the Lee Owens era, but it's close:
|
DATE |
OPPONENT |
OFF. PLAYS |
|
10/17/07 |
at Central Washington |
95 |
|
10/13/07 |
NORTHERN MICHIGAN |
91 |
|
10/10/15 |
at Saginaw Valley State |
89 |
|
11/1/14 |
at Grand Valley State |
89 |
|
10/3/09 |
at Wayne State |
89 |
|
10/6/12 |
at Ohio Dominican |
88 |
|
9/10/11 |
INDIANAPOLIS |
86 |
|
10/10/12 |
NOTRE DAME COLLEGE |
83 |
|
9/1/07 |
at Saginaw Valley State |
82 |
|
10/26/13 |
MALONE |
81 |
|
10/12/13 |
OHIO DOMINICAN |
81 |
|
9/4/04 |
FERRIS STATE |
80 |
NCAA Ranks
As a team, the Eagles are ranked in the Top 20 in Division II in net punting average (second, 40.0), fewest penalties per game (T-8th, 4.83), kickoff-return average (11th, 25.7), third-down conversion percentage (12th, 50.0), first downs (17th, 146) and fewest penalty yards per game (18th, 46.33).
Sophomore cornerback Dale Irby is 11th in the country in kickoff-return average at 30.4, while junior tailback Vance Settlemire is 20th in rushing yards per game at 118.6.
GLIAC Ranks
Ashland is among the top teams in the conference in kickoff-return average (first, 25.7), gross punting average (first, 45.7), points allowed per game (second, 20.3), passing yards allowed per game (second, 202.7), interceptions (second, eight), total yards allowed per game (third, 323.7), rushing yards allowed per game (third, 121.0), rushing yards per game (third, 209.3), sacks (tied for third, 16), points per game (fourth, 38.2), passing yards per game (fourth, 264.3), first downs per game (fourth, 24.3), third-down conversion percentage (fourth, 50.0), fourth-down conversion percentage (fourth, 62.5) and fewest penalties per game (tied for fourth, 4.8).
Individually, these are the players in the top three in the conference in their respective categories:
|
NAME |
CATEGORY |
NUMBER |
RANK |
|
Dale Irby |
Interceptions |
3 |
T-1st |
|
Passes defensed |
6 |
T-1st |
|
|
Vance Settlemire |
Rushing yards/game |
118.6 |
2nd |
|
Vance Settlemire |
All-purpose yards/game |
152.2 |
2nd |
|
Dale Irby |
Kickoff-return average |
30.4 |
2nd |
|
Passing touchdowns |
13 |
T-3rd |
|
|
Catches |
34 |
T-3rd |
AU
FB/DS