Ashland University Releases 2017 Football Schedule

Ashland University Releases 2017 Football Schedule

Bob Dylan famously sang, "The Times They Are A-Changin'."

Thanks to a new-look Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Ashland University's football schedule will have some changes from recent years. The Eagles released their 2017 schedule on Wednesday (Feb. 1), a slate which features 11 regular-season games – two non-conference contests followed by nine within the GLIAC.

Of Ashland's 11 opponents in 2017, three were ranked in the top 12 in the final 2016 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and competed in the postseason a year ago – the season-opener on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at Indiana, Pa. (10-2, No. 12), Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field vs. Ferris State (12-3, No. 5) and Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at home against Grand Valley State (12-1, No. 4).

Seven teams with 2016 winning records are on the 2017 Eagle schedule. The 2016 cumulative winning percentage of AU's 2017 opponents is .611.

"I think 2015 was the toughest schedule since we've been here, and this one might be even tougher," said Ashland head coach Lee Owens, who will be in his 14th season guiding the Eagles in 2017. "The fans that we've created over the years are going to be treated to some great football. You add up the won-lost records for those teams, and it's pretty impressive. We're pretty good here (at home), and we're going to need to be."

The Eagles' 2017 home opener will be against former GLIAC rival Ohio Dominican (7-4) on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Ashland will go back on the road in Week 3 on Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. against Northwood (3-8), then close out the first month on the road vs. new conference rival Davenport (6-5) on Sept. 30 at noon.

October will see the Eagles go on the road for three of four games. On Oct. 7, Ashland will play at Northern Michigan (3-8), then the program's 94th Homecoming game will be Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. against Michigan Tech (4-6). The month concludes with the final two regular-season road games of 2017 – Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. against Tiffin (8-3) and Oct. 28 at noon vs. Wayne State (7-4).

The regular season will conclude at home on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. on Senior Day against Saginaw Valley State (5-5).

The annual Purple and Gold Spring Game will be Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field, with the Football Alumni and Friends Golf Outing slated for Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m., at Ashland Golf Club.

In 2016, the Eagles were 9-2 overall and 7-2 in the GLIAC, winning the GLIAC South Division championship. Ashland was 19th in the final AFCA Division II poll.

 

2017 Ashland University football schedule

PURPLE AND GOLD SPRING GAME

Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. – Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field

 

REGULAR SEASON

DATE

OPPONENT

TIME

Aug. 31

at Indiana (Pa.)

7 p.m.

Sept. 9

OHIO DOMINICAN

7 p.m.

Sept. 16

at Northwood*

1 p.m.

Sept. 23

FERRIS STATE*

7 p.m.

Sept. 30

at Davenport*

Noon

Oct. 7

at Northern Michigan*

TBA

Oct. 14

MICHIGAN TECH (HOMECOMING)*

1 p.m.

Oct. 21

at Tiffin*

1 p.m.

Oct. 28

at Wayne State*

Noon

Nov. 4

GRAND VALLEY STATE*

7 p.m.

Nov. 11

SAGINAW VALLEY STATE*

1 p.m.

* - GLIAC game

Bold denotes home game

 
 

AU

FB/DS