The 18th nationally ranked Ashland University football team will play in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second year in a row, the third time in four seasons and the tenth time overall.

Thanks to a 34-14 home win vs. Lake Erie in Week 11, along with a Findlay loss to Tiffin, the Eagles earned a share of the 2025 Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship, which is AU’s third Great Midwest title in five seasons.

“I am extremely proud of our players and staff to be able to get it,” said head coach Doug Geiser. “I do want to give a special kudos to that senior class, who has won now three conference championships in their time here.”

The Eagle senior class also is the first in program history to win at least nine games in four consecutive seasons.

Head coach Doug Geiser has won 27 games in his first three seasons as Ashland head football coach. With a 28th, he will tie Fred Schmuck who coached from 1927-33 for fifth on the program’s all-time list.

Through the regular season the Eagles are the D-II pacesetter in sacks with 44 and second in the country in total defense with 244.5 yards per game. They are also second in blocked kicks with eight and are third in rushing defense with 66.3 yards per game. The Eagles are sixth in scoring defense with 14.8 points per game and tied for ninth in blocked punts with three.

The Eagles’ offense is paced by two young freshmen in AU in rushing and receiving this season. Tailback Chris Maloney is the Eagles’ leading rusher with 457 yards, while wide receiver D.J. Harvey is Ashland’s top pass-catcher with 42 catches for 444 yards and two touchdowns.

They will host the No. 7 Minnesota Duluth (10-1) on Nov. 22 at Jack Miller Stadium.