Ashland University is set to host Grand Valley State University for the second time this season in a Super Region 4 playoff game Saturday at Jack Miller Stadium.

The Eagles are the No. 3 seed in the region, while the Lakers are the No. 6 seed.

Ashland (10-0, 10-0 GLIAC) beat Grand Valley (9-2, 8-2 GLIAC) 45-31 on Oct. 31.

The first time around, Ashland racked up 534 yards of total offense.

 Quarterback Travis Tarnowski threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

Tarnowski expects Grand Valley to make some adjustments the second time around.

“It is the second time around, so they are obviously going to try and change some stuff up just like we are going to try and change some stuff up,” said Tarnowski. 

Tarnowski faced a lot of man coverage the first game, but has seen the Lakers show different coverage variations on film since.

“I watched a game yesterday, and they played a lot of Cover 2 and Cover 3 and stuff like that,” said Tarnowski. “That was after we played them, so they’ve shown that they can do both of them.”

Running back Vance Settlemire also played a big role in the Eagles’ victory the first time around, going for 200 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.

As a unit, Ashland ran for 201 yards. 

Offensive lineman Jonathan Cipa says the key for Ashland to have success running the football again is to be physical up front.

“When it comes down to it we are just going to have to be physical with them. That’s how you run the ball,” said Cipa.

Grand Valley also has a solid defensive front seven.

“We recognize they are a really good defense. Their front seven are seven really good players, so we just have to come out and execute,” said Cipa

As a defensive unit, defending the pass will be the primary objective for the Eagles.

Grand Valley’s Bart Williams led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing touchdowns this season with 35. 

He also averaged 284 yards through the air.

The Lakers have a pair of receivers in Matt Williams and Jamie Potts who ranked second and third in receiving touchdowns in the GLIAC. 

Sticking to their defensive game plan is going to be the key for the Eagles if they are going to expect the same results as the first time the faced the Lakers.

“We need to just play our game, limit the big plays, and just keep our head in the game and stay focused. Just stick to the game plan,” said safety Terrell Hudson.

Playing a team and beating them twice can be a difficult task. Of course there are positives to facing them again, because the team knows how to beat them. 

At the same time, the Lakers can learn from their mistakes and key in on the aspects of the game that went right for them.

“It’s tough to beat a good football team once, much less twice, in the same season,” said head coach Lee Owens in a press release. “Grand Valley is so talented. We played really, really well the first time we played them, and you have to hope that we can play as well this time.”

The Eagles are in the toughest region by far, with four of the seven playoff teams ranking ninth or higher in the latest AFCA Division II poll. 

Midwestern State, ranked No. 9, received the No. 1 seed and the first round bye. 

Ferris State, Ashland and Colorado State – Pueblo, ranked Nos. 2-4 respectively in the country, are all also ranked 2-4 in the region.

“It’s a tough region, no question,” said Owens. “Maybe the toughest of the four regions. There’s not going to be an easy draw at all. Our guys have met tough challenges before, but it’s a pretty hard challenge.”