The Ashland University football team is preparing for the 100th football Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 5 against the Ohio Dominican University Panthers.
Throughout Ashland’s history, the Eagles have won 69 contests on homecoming weekend so far, with things trending upward in the 2024 campaign. Beginning the year 0-2 versus two ranked non-conference opponents, things turned around once entering Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play.
In the past two weeks, Ashland has won the traveling trophy game against Hillsdale and defeated the reigning G-MAC champion Tiffin Dragons. Now the Eagles have the chance to pick up their third straight win in front of returning alumni and friends of the program.
“When you are coaching at a school that has a tremendous tradition, you always want to preach that tradition to the players. So they have an understanding it is more than just about them,” Head Football Coach Doug Geiser said.
That tradition has translated to the players this season, specifically to senior captain Tony Panunnzio.
Panunnzio is coming off of his first receiving touchdown this season against Tiffin and added a block field goal as well in that game.
“I’m very fortunate to play in a role leading a team with such tradition. Not too many teams at this level can say the same about the standards of excellence that we have at Ashland,” Pannunzio said.
Ashland’s first homecoming game was played all the way back in 1921 against Bowling Green State University.
“We are always talking about the history of Ashland football and the appreciation of that. It’s a great homecoming, and they will add to the atmosphere at Jack Miller Stadium,” Geiser said.
Looking at the opponent in Ohio Dominican, the Panthers sit at an identical record to Ashland at 2-2. Most recently the Panthers dominated Kentucky Wesleyan 38-7 last week.
AU leads the all-time series against ODU 7-5, with Ashland taking home the contest in the past two seasons. The Panthers are led by quarterback Drew Gallahue, who is returning from a season ago. Last year he threw for over 200 yards against the Eagles adding a touchdown and an interception as well.
Ashland came away with the win in that game by a final score of 20-6.
Tale of the Tape
AU ODU
14.5 PPG 18.0
80.5 RUSH 89.0
192.0 PASS 247.3
18.0 DEF 11.5
Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday. You can catch the game on 88.9 WRDL or on replay on the Rock Entertainment Sports Network.
