Perfection is hard to achieve in football. The Ashland University Eagles did just that, completing the regular season a flawless 10-0.

Behind a strong overall defensive effort, the Eagles (10-0, 10-0 GLIAC) picked up a 40-14 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Michigan Tech (6-3, 6-3 GLIAC) on Saturday afternoon at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field.

The victory gave the 2015 senior class of Eagles 34 wins over their four years at Ashland. That makes them the most successful class over a four-year span in the history of the Ashland football program.

This also marks the second 10-0 regular season and GLIAC championship for the class of 19 seniors.

Ashland head coach Lee Owens has a lot of admiration for this group of seniors.

“To be able to say we won more games in a four-year period than any other team,” Owens said. “And to have two undefeated seasons, two GLIAC Championships, opportunity to host two playoff games, that’s quite a legacy for that group that finished today. I am just awfully proud of that senior group.”

Before the undefeated season celebration could begin, the Eagles had to earn it on the field.

The Ashland defense did just that.

In the first half, the Eagles’ defense allowed a paltry 141 yards of total offense to the Huskies, while allowing only eight first downs. The defense also forced two first half turnovers, as well as a turnover on downs.

On the first play of the game, Ashland safety Donzale Ashley set the tone by intercepting a Brandon Cowie pass, setting up the Eagles’ offense at the Michigan Tech 41-yard line. Ashley finished the game with two interceptions, five tackles and one pass break-up.

The Ashland offense converted the turnover into points, which was a theme on the afternoon.

For the game, the Eagles’ defense forced five turnovers and one turnover on downs. The Ashland offense turned those extra possessions into 20 points.

Also having a big game for the Ashland defense was linebacker Brandon Gency, who finished the game with 17 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss and one interception.

Shadowed by the performance of the defense, the Ashland offense quietly enjoyed a nice day.

Behind quarterback Travis Tarnowski, the Eagles’ offense racked up 418 yards of total offense for the game. Tarnowski finished the game 24 of 34 for 283 yards and four touchdowns.

Something not to be lost in the bustle of the game was running back Vance Settlemire going over 1,000 yards for the season. Settlemire became the 20^th Eagle in program history to top 1,000 yards for a season.

Tight end Adam Shaheen led the Eagles in receiving. Shaheen caught five passes for 66 yards and one touchdown in the game.

The 10-0 regular season is a great accomplishment, but Owens is not content with it.

“We have not had a great postseason tradition here,” Owens said. “We’ve won one time in the postseason out of five times, and if there’s anything that this group can do is to take that next step. Let’s make a run in the postseason. Let’s take the kind of football team that we are, put this thing together, and let’s make a run deep into the playoffs, which we haven’t done before. That is the challenge that is up front of them, and I’ll be surprised if we don’t meet that challenge.”

The ultimate goal for Ashland is the Division II title.

“Somebody’s got to win this whole thing, it might as well be the Eagles,” Owens said.

The Eagles have a bye the final week of the regular season, and will have to wait until next weekend to have their playoff destiny revealed.