The Ashland University football team has continued its impressive play as they look to finish the season as one of the top 25 teams in Division II. After the most recent AFCA rankings, they’ve been slotted at No. 14 in the nation.

In Week 10, the Eagles look to take on the Lake Erie Storm after falling to the Hillsdale Chargers in last week’s competition. Since losing to the Chargers in upsetting fashion, the Eagles look to rebound and show their true talents.

The Eagles this season have been led by tailback Larry Martin who has rushed for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. In the last game against the Chargers Martin dashed for 70 yards on 16 attempts. With high volume, 15 attempts per game over the last four games, the Eagles look to tailback Gei’Vonni Washington whos returning from an injury.

“We miss our big play tailback [Washington],” said Head Coach Lee Owens. “Having him healthy brings a whole new dynamic to our offense.”

So far on the season, the one-two punch of Martin and Washington has dominated opponents. As a whole, the running back room, and scrambling quarterback Austin Brenner, have combined for a 191-yard average per game this season.

Outside of the running back room, the wide receiving core has taken a leap forward.

Wideout Garrett Turnbaugh has now recorded three consecutive 100-yard games and team captain Login Bolin is currently averaging 65 yards per game to go alongside three touchdowns on the season.

“Garrett has worked hard to get open,” said Owens. “He’s playing with energy and he’s been a bright spot in recent contests. I assume he will be as we continue to move forward.”

With the receivers performing well, Brenner has found success as well.

He has passed for 1474 yards, nine touchdowns and committed just five interceptions. He’s also posted just a 141.45 passer rating.

On the ground, the versatile quarterback has taken off for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

While the offense has obviously had consistent play, the defense has too, showing why the team has a 7-1 record.

Linebacker Michael Ayers has been highly regarded as one of the best linebackers in Division II and has shown that this season.

He leads the team in tackles with 59 to go alongside 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He has also forced three fumbles and recovered one.

Other standouts showcase defensive end Deeb Alawan with seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, and defensive backs Jourdan Swett and Devin Prude with two interceptions a piece.

The Eagles have looked spectacular this season but after a 38-20 loss to the Chargers, they have a lot to prove against the Storm.

“Hillsdale played a courageous game,” said Owens. “We didn’t help our cause we had a bunch of penalties and turnovers down the stretch. This is a really good Lake Erie team we are not gonna take it [the game] lightly.”

The Storm, entering their final conference matchup of the season, look to rebound off of a 42-17 loss to the Findlay Oilers where they threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball three times.

Against an Ashland defense that has been regarded as one of the top in the nation, turnovers are the one thing opposing teams need to be highly accountable for.

The Storm and Eagles look to take on one another in what’s expected to be a slugfest with kickoff set for 4 p.m. in Painesville, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 5.

How to watch, listen and attend:

Watch: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lakeerie/

Listen: https://wncoam.iheart.com/

Tickets: https://www.ticketsmarter.com/p/lake-erie-storm-tickets?utm_source=lakeeriestorm&utm_medium=dropdownlink&utm_campaign=partners

Attend: 301 Lattimore Street Painesville, Ohio 44077