Ashland, Ohio – The Ashland University football team remained undefeated in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play with a 9-7 win over the Northwood Timberwolves.
60 minutes of action included many momentum swings by both teams struggling to find the scoreboard.
On the Eagles opening drive of the game, the offense got chunk plays right down the field but no points were found as quarterback Trevor Bycznski threw an interception in the end zone.
The next drive Ashland moved the ball 70 yards in eight plays finding the endzone on a 18 yard strike by Bycznski to wide receiver Jamari Croom.
This put the Eagles up 6-0, as the point after attempt by AJ Rhodes was blocked by the Timberwolves.
Northwood did not have a single offensive point scored all game long, but did however get a defensive touchdown.
With just 10 seconds left in the first frame, a screen pass by Bycznski was intercepted by senior defensive back Ricky Pearson and returned for a touchdown. After an extra point, Northwood went ahead 7-6.
The second quarter included no scoring plays, and resetting Bycznski’s play was a focus of Ashland throughout the game.
“We got him back in a rhythm [after the interceptions] and took us right down the field, we got to a good job protecting the passer back there,” said Head Football Coach Doug Geiser.
Throughout the contest, the Timberwolves were rotating two quarterbacks in the game both Jacob Barlage and Ethan Hamby.
“They are both pretty similar skill sets, so in that respect not a huge deal on our end. They all have the same skill set, they are gonna run the same offense with both,” said Geiser.
The third quarter also included no scoring from either side.
In the fourth and final frame, kicker Max Gonos missed a field goal with a chance to put Northwood up by 5.
The Eagles recovered a fumble later in the quarter at the Timberwolves 20 yard line, and left AJ Rhodes to settle for a short kick to give Ashland a 9-7 lead.
Hamby and the Timberwolves got one last chance in the final minute of the game to go on a game winning drive. Northwood had their best offensive possession of the day moving the ball right down the field. With five seconds to go, Max Gonos was on to win the game from 49 yards out.
The kick sailed wide left.
Through the sloppy performance, Ashland moves to 6-2 overall, and 6-0 in G-MAC play remaining in first place.
The Eagles will next face the Lake Erie College Storm on the road next weekend. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 2.
