The passing combination of Ashland University quarterback Travis Tarnowski and tight end Adam Shaheen has developed into one of the most prolific duos in all of Division II football.

Tarnowski found Shaheen four times in the end zone, leading the Eagles (5-1, 4-1 GLIAC) to a 45-7 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Northwood (1-5, 1-5 GLIAC) on Saturday afternoon at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field on Homecoming Weekend.

The four touchdown receptions for Shaheen tied a single-game school record and gave the tight end 11 on season. 

“It was a very fortunate day,” Shaheen said. “Travis was looking my way in some scramble situations, and he just threw it up, and we were able to connect.”

 “The coaches do a really good job putting (Adam) in situations where it is easy for me to get him the ball,” Tarnowski added. “And he does a great job of running routes. He does a great job of getting open and shielding guys off. He gets held a lot, and he fights through it. He’s a warrior out there, and he makes me want to throw him the ball.” 

Shaheen finished the game with seven catches for 109 yards and the four scores. 

Over his last two games he has seven touchdown receptions, and he has topped 100 yards receiving in three straight games. 

“(Travis and I) are starting to click and just play,” Shaheen said. “Some of those plays out there are just like backyard football. Like go to the ball, go get it.”

“I’ve been very fortunate to get a lot of touches over the last couple games,” he added. “Travis has just been looking for me when we needed it, and I’ve just been fortunate enough to go up and get the ball.”

Tarnowski, meanwhile, tied the school record and his career-high by throwing five touchdown passes. He had previously thrown five during his freshman year against Northern Michigan. He finished the day 26 of 36 for 332 yards and the five touchdowns.

The defense also shined, holding the run-heavy option offense of Northwood to 184 total yards and 120 yards rushing. 

Linebacker Zach Olszewski led the charge with 10 tackles, while fellow linebacker Brandon Gency added nine tackles, two of which were for a loss. 

“I thought our guys right from the very beginning on defense had a great beat on what they were doing,” Ashland coach Lee Owens said. “Which kind of surprised me a little bit. I expected us to maybe struggle.”

“After the first half, we felt pretty good about the plan defensively,” he added. “Anytime you get ahead of an option offense by a couple scores, it kind of puts them in a tough situation.” 

The Eagles got their first kickoff return for a touchdown in four years when true freshman Keishaun Sims raced up the middle and scampered 92 yards for the score.

“I haven’t had a touchdown on special teams in all four years I’ve been here,” Tarnowski said. “It was awesome. And to do it by a guy who has really stepped up and played a huge role in our offense, Keishaun, it was great to see him make a play like that.” 

Aidan Simenc started the game’s scoring when he nailed a career-long 39-yard field goal on Ashland’s second possession of the game.

On AU’s next possession, Tarnowski hit Matthew Wilcox from 20 yards out to give the Eagles a 10-0 first quarter lead. 

The Eagles used their 35-32 loss to Tiffin last week as extra motivation throughout the week.

“Everyone was really focused,” Tarnowski said. “Everyone wanted to bounce back. We had a really bad taste in our mouth, and we needed to get back on track, and we needed a good week of practice and everyone to prepare well on and off the field.”

“We did a really good job preparing this week,” he added. “Everyone was really focused, laser focused, and flying around at practice. I think it was probably one of our best weeks of practice we’ve had all year. So to see that, it really translated into the game.”