Ashland University sophomore quarterback Travis Tarnowski is the Week 7 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
It is the first GLIAC weekly honor for Tarnowski, who was 21-for-29 for 360 yards and four touchdowns in the Eagles' 52-21 Homecoming and Traveling Trophy victory on Saturday (Oct. 17) afternoon against Hillsdale. His 72.4 completion percentage was the second-highest of his career, as were the four scoring tosses and his 12.4 yards per pass attempt. It also was Tarnowski's third career 300-yard passing game.
Tarnowski is 15-2 as a starter at Ashland, and in 17 games, has thrown for 4,069 yards (sixth all-time at AU), 33 touchdowns (fourth all-time) and just 10 interceptions.
Tarnowski is Ashland's first GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week since early October 2013, after tailback Anthony Taylor's school-record 311 rushing yards at Lake Erie.
Defense Piling Up Its Own Numbers
Through seven games in 2015, Ashland's defense has collected some impressive statistics of its own – 48 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and 10 interceptions. In 10 games in 2014, the Eagles had 54 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and eight picks.
Eagles Enjoying The Big Run
During Saturday's victory, the Eagles scored 38 consecutive points, and led 45-7 after three quarters.
Ashland has made a habit of going on extended scoring runs this season:
|
DATE |
OPPONENT |
CONSECUTIVE PTS. |
|
10/17 |
HILLSDALE |
38 |
|
10/10 |
at Saginaw Valley State |
33 |
|
10/3 |
at Malone |
28 |
|
9/26 |
FINDLAY |
23 |
|
9/3 |
at Lake Erie |
21 and 28 |
AU also has made a habit of scoring plenty of consecutive points against its Week 8 opponent, Northern Michigan, in recent years – 44 in row at home in 2014, 38 in a row at home in 2013, 42 in a row at the Superior Dome in 2012 and 31 in a row at home in 2011.
Ashland Not Hurting Itself
Some of the intangible numbers that one would think an undefeated team would have are impressive on the Eagles' part.
Ashland is plus-5 in turnover margin, and has committed just 30 penalties for 288 yards. AU is tied for first in the GLIAC in interceptions and has the fourth-fewest penalties in the league.
AU
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