Football Breakdown – Tried, True Formula In Win No. 1

Photo credit Michael Dubicki, Wayne State athletics.
Photo credit Michael Dubicki, Wayne State athletics.

LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PAGE

It may seem like an outdated football axiom – run the ball, stop the run, don't turn the ball over and force turnovers, and more than likely, you win the game.

Ashland University's football team did all the above on Saturday (Sept. 15) night at Wayne State, and came away with a 30-21 win to open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. The Eagles ran for 218 yards, allowed just 71 yards on the ground to the Warriors, and had a plus-3 turnover ratio (three takeaways, no turnovers).

What follows are the most recent instances when Ashland has run for at least 200 yards, given up less than 100 rushing yards, and had a positive turnover ratio, all in the same game:

 

DATE

OPPONENT

SCORE

RUSH YDS

OPP RUSH YDS

TURNOVERS

9/15/18

at Wayne State

W, 30-21

218

71

+3

10/31/15

GRAND VALLEY STATE

W, 45-31

201

64

+1

9/13/14

WALSH

W, 41-17

235

70

+2

11/10/12

NOTRE DAME COLLEGE

W, 65-0

422

32

+3

 

Jack Holl, Ironman

There was Deion Sanders playing both cornerback and wide receiver.

There was Mike Vrabel playing both linebacker and tight end.

Now, there is Ashland University senior Jack Holl, who played his regular defensive tackle rotation while starting and seeing extensive time at tight end at Wayne State. Holl, who was exclusively a tight end in his first three seasons at Ashland, moved to the defensive side of the ball this season.

"He's a senior, and he's a leader and he wants to win," said Ashland head coach Lee Owens. "He said, 'Coach, I can come back and play (tight end).' And he did, and he really helped us."

 

Ashland's Defensive Playmakers

The Eagle defense finished Saturday night with four sacks, six tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and two interceptions. Sophomore inside linebacker Ryan Corkrean ended the night with seven total tackles, a sack and 2½ tackles for loss.

"He played well. He was all over the place," Owens said.

Senior defensive end James Prater Jr. had a sack and 1½ tackles for loss in Detroit, giving him 2½ sacks and six tackles for loss so far in 2018. Prater Jr. now has 37 tackles for loss in his AU career, 1½ behind Allen Lattimore for the program record (since 1999).

Sophomore cornerback C.J. Towns recovered his first career fumble, while senior safety Isaiah Stiverson and junior safety Nick Powers each had their second career interception.

 

Denton Stepping Up In First Season

Sophomore kicker Satchel Denton, a transfer from NCAA Division I FCS Rhode Island, was 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points against the Warriors. All three field goals came in the second half, from 32, 28 and 19 yards.

"I thought our kicker did a nice job," Owens said. "All three field goals were big. He showed a lot of consistency on that."

Denton is 5-for-5 on field goals and 7-for-7 on extra points this season, and remains one of only two GLIAC kickers to make all placements in 2018.

 

Up Next

Ashland's 95th Homecoming football game, Saturday (Sept. 22) at 1 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field vs. Northwood (0-3, 0-1). The Eagles are 64-25-5 (.707) all-time on Homecoming.

"We're excited. It's going to be a big week," Holl said.

 

 

 

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