Ashland University’s football team used a dominating defensive effort and an offense firing on all cylinders to earn a season-opening 48-0 nonconference victory over Mercyhurst on Thursday at Jack Miller Stadium on Martinelli Field.

The Eagles’ defense allowed 7 yards rushing on 28 carries and 188 total yards of offense, leading to the program’s first shutout in a season opener since 1990.

Lee Owens, who is in his 13th year at the helm for AU, was proud of his defense’s effort.

“In today’s college football I don’t care what level you play or how young the team is you are playing,” said Owens. “With the nature of how college football is today, to be able to keep a team out of the end zone is quite an accomplishment.”

Zach Olszewski led AU (1-0) with six tackles, but Austin Utter — whose 21^st birthday was Thursday — had perhaps the biggest game of the night for the Eagles, recording two sacks in his first collegiate start.

“I really didn’t know what to expect (first collegiate start),” said Utter. “It’s my first time going full pads versus another team, and I was just trying to be prepared for anything, and it just ended up working out pretty well.”

For the Lakers’ defense it was a completely different story, as the Eagles’ offense moved the ball all night and racked up 590 yards of offense.

Ashland’s offense maneuvered its way up the field on its second drive of the game using a combination of quick passes and running back Vance Settlemire. Settlemire capped the 10-play, 95-yard drive with a 38-yard touchdown run up the gut of the defense.

Settlemire had 82 yards rushing on that drive and ran for 132 yards on 13 carries for the game. He also finished with three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving).

Settlemire credits his offensive line for much of his success.

“I just run wherever my line gives me a hole to run,” said Settlemire. “I give a huge shout out to them.”

AU wasted no time finding the end zone again, as quarterback Travis Tarnowski threw a 10-yard strike to wide receiver Matthew Wilcox for another Ashland touchdown.

Tarnowski finished 20 for 28 through the air for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

“I was really happy with the way (the offense) played,” said Tarnowski. “Running the ball. Passing the ball. We really executed pretty well.”

Mercyhurst (0-1) tried to get on the board late in the first quarter, but kicker Dylan Kondis missed a 41-yard field goal.

After the missed field goal, the Eagles once again methodically marched down the field. The 76-yard drive ended with Settlemire finding the end zone again, this time from 28 yards out.

The Lakers then squandered another possession and Kondis punted the ball to the Eagles 1-yard line. Tarnowski hit Wilcox down the sideline for 55 yards on the first play of the resulting possession, and then found wide receiver Stewart Turner in the end zone from 11 yards out to cap the 99-yard drive.

It was much of the same in the second half, as tight end Austin Bruns caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from QB John Davies, and Luke Ogi took his first-ever collegiate carry for a 75-yard touchdown.

Owens said he challenged his team after camp ended to decide what type of team they wanted to be.

“I challenged them after camp,” said Owens. “I said ‘What type of team do you want this to be?’ You define it. Nobody else can define it for you. They started painting the portrait tonight, and it’s a good start.”