Eagle football prepares for Homecoming weekend competition

Two of the top teams in the GMAC look to Oct. 22

Safety Justin Moore has blown up coverages left and right this season.

Cade Cracas, Sports & Digital Editor
October 21, 2022

The Ashland University football team has been on fire in recent weeks with a record of 6-0 and 4-0 in conference play.

The Eagles dominated the Walsh Cavaliers 35-0 in Week Six, and in Week Seven they battled closely with the Ohio Dominican panthers in a 14-7 win. Now, in what looks to be their hardest competitor yet they look to take on the Tiffin Dragons.

The Dragons currently sit at a record of 4-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

Their only two losses came against Indianapolis and Truman State. Both games ended with the Dragons losing by seven points or less.

In their four wins, they’ve allowed opponents just 40 points and have shut out two of them.

Over the course of their six contests, the defense has recorded eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries as one of the top turnover-forcing defenses in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

While the defense has been outstanding, the offense has found consistency from senior running back Darius Pinnix.

This season, he’s rushed for 588 yards and five touchdowns with three games over 100 yards. His longest touchdown of the season went for 80 yards while averaging roughly six yards per carry.

With an Ashland run defense that has allowed 84 yards per contest on the ground, Pinnix will have to work hard to break through a stellar defensive wall.

Senior Michael Ayers has had a breakout year once again recording 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks

Outside of Ayers, multiple other defenders have stepped up in big moments. Defensive end Deeb Alawan has a team-leading six sacks, safety Jourdan Swett has two interceptions and linebacker Jackson Myers has assisted on 16 tackles to help out the defense.

Led by Defensive Coordinator Tim Rose, the Eagles currently have the No. 1 scoring defense in Division II allowing just 9.2 points per contest. While teams may be able to have some run success, the Eagle passing defense also sits at No. 1 in the country in passing efficiency with a grade of 84.02.

“Our guys don’t flinch,” said Head Coach Lee Owens. “I’ve talked to a bunch of guys to be that next guy to step up. We have a lot of really good players. This is a really good Tiffin offense, a duel-threat quarterback, something we haven’t seen much of.”

With both teams showcasing top-of-the-line defenses, the Eagle offense will have to be the dividing factor.

Starting quarterback Austin Brenner has continued to succeed each moment he steps onto the field. Through 135 passing attempts, he’s completed 87 of them to go for 1,000 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

On the receiving end, 6th-year Logan Bolin has led the way with 429 yards and two touchdowns as Brenners top connection.

“He’s a consistent receiver for us. He knows he can play better though,” said Owens. “He hasn’t had that big game we know he’s capable of.”

While the passing attack has been consistent, the running attack is what separates this team from being good and becoming great.

The one-two punch of juniors Larry Martin and Gei’Vonni Washington has excelled this offense forward. Martin has rushed for 463 yards and six touchdowns, while Washington has dashed for 416 and six touchdowns.

With two star-studded teams as the top two in the GMAC, this is a must-watch competition.