Eagles-Lakers Football Game Key By Any Measure

Photo courtesy of Wayne State sports information.
Photo courtesy of Wayne State sports information.

LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PAGE

According to the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Top 25 poll, the No. 11 and 19 teams in NCAA Division II will match up when Ashland University plays host to Grand Valley State on Saturday (Nov. 4) at 7 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field.

The latest HERO Sports Division II rankings have the Eagles as the No. 1 team in the nation, with the Lakers at No. 4, while this week's D2Football.com poll puts Ashland at No. 3 and GVSU at No. 13.

Of course, Saturday night's game is most important where the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings and Super Region Three rankings are concerned.

Ashland (8-1 overall, 7-0 GLIAC) can clinch at least a share of the GLIAC championship with a win against the Lakers (7-2, 6-1) on Saturday night. In the Super Region Three rankings, the Eagles are No. 3 and GVSU No. 6, and seven teams in each super region qualify for the NCAA Division II postseason.

 

Eagle Defense Keeping Pace

Ashland's defense yielded just a touchdown and a field goal on Saturday (Oct. 28) in the 30-10 win at Wayne State. It was the fourth time in 2017 the Eagles have given up 10 points or less, and that has been a pattern for defenses guided by defensive coordinator Tim Rose:

 

SEASON

GAMES ALLOWING 10- PTS.

2017

4

2016

5

2015

1

2014

2

2013

3

2012

4

2011

1

2010

2

2009

2

 

Tarnowski, Eagles Win By Air Or Ground

Ashland senior quarterback Travis Tarnowski didn't throw a touchdown pass in a game for just the fourth time as an Eagle on Saturday. Tarnowski, the program's all-time leader in touchdown tosses with 102, last went without one on Oct. 10, 2015 at Saginaw Valley State.

In all four instances where Tarnowski didn't throw a TD, however, Ashland has won each time. And in three of the four games, he rushed for a score, meaning Tarnowski has accounted for at least one touchdown in 40 of 41 career games, and 34 contests in a row.

 

Ashland's Active Division II Career Leaders

Entering Week 10, the following Eagles are among NCAA Division II's top 10 active career leaders:

- Tarnowski is first in passing yards (10,373), passing touchdowns (102) and total offense yards (10,699).

- Senior kicker Aidan Simenc is second in field-goal percentage (84.8).

- Simenc is sixth in extra points made (163).

- Simenc is ninth in field goals made (39).

- Tarnowski is 10th in passing efficiency (155.46).

- Simenc is 10th in points scored (280).

 

Former Eagles Meder, Shaheen Have Weekend Off

Both of Ashland's former All-Americans currently in the National Football League – Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jamie Meder and Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen – have bye weeks in Week 9 of the 2017 season.

Shaheen is scheduled to be recognized prior to the game against Grand Valley State. He is the 2017 Ashland Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

 

 

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