When the Ashland University football team opens up their 94th season in school history on September third against Lake Erie, head coach Lee Owens can feel confident in the man behind center.

After going 8-2 with freshman quarterback Travis Tarnowski at the helm in 2014, Tarnowski returns in 2015 looking to guide AU to their first playoff appearance since 2012.

“We think Travis has gotten even better this year,” Owens said. “He is really improved and had a great camp. Travis is a tough guy; he is smart and a great leader. We are pretty good behind center and that is 90 percent of football today.” 

Last season AU opened up with a 66-21 thrashing of Lake Erie at Jack Miller Stadium. Tarnowksi threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut. A year later he looks to open his sophomore campaign with similar numbers against the Storm. 

However the offense around Tarnowski looks very different. Gone to graduation is tailback Anthony Taylor, AU’s All-time leading rusher, wide out Dan Piko, 2014’s leading receiver and tight end Matt Schweitzer, the second leading pass catcher in 2014. 

Stepping up to replace the departures is junior running back Vance Settlemire and sophomore tight end Adam Shaheen. Settlemire was among the GLIAC leaders in yards per carry last season and Shaheen had a break out performance in the spring game catching a touchdown on his way to a six grab, 82 yard night. 

Owens said that Shaheen has been a stand out in camp.

“Adam Shaheen is the one guy who wasn’t here last year that jumps out,” said Owens. “He is a big, division two basketball transfer who has great hands, run well and is a big target. He will be tough for other teams to cover, and we have to find ways to get him the ball.” 

Despite winning big last year over Lake Erie, AU will look for things to improve. Star storm running back Anthony Bilal rumbled for 200 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against the Eagles last season.

“It will be a real test,” said Owens. “I went across the field and shook his hand last year and told him, ‘You’re an all-league player.’ And he was. And not only was he all-league, he was the Offensive Back of the Year. It will be a good test for us.”

This will be AU’s sixth all time meeting with Lake Erie. AU has outscored the Storm 325-114 in the series and won four out of the five meetings including a 87-17 victory back in 2010. 

“Offensively, we’ve played pretty well,” said Owens. “Even the time we got beat, we scored 42 that time. We scored just about every time we had the ball, it just wasn’t enough.”

AU will be looking a 3-2 mark on the road last season. The Eagles went undefeated at home but have been beatable on the road the last few seasons. Owens said that has to change.

“We haven’t been near as good on the road as we have been at home,” said Owens. “You’re always concerned when you’ve got to travel and play.”