The Ashland University football team’s season came to an end on Nov. 29 against the best team in the nation, the Ferris State Bulldogs by a final score of 56-24. It was the second round of the NCAA Division II National Championships, which the Eagles had advanced to by defeating Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 22.

Ashland started strong by scoring the first touchdown of the contest a few minutes in. Senior quarterback Cameron Blair connected with junior wide receiver Jamari Croom on a 36-yard touchdown to cap off a 75-yard, seven-play drive at the 11:11 mark of the first.

They continued the hot start when freshman tailback Chris Maloney ran 65 yards for another Eagle touchdown, giving them a 14-0 advantage midway through the first period.

Ferris State then showed why they have been the best Division II football team in the country, quickly responding with a two-yard scoring run from running back Carson Gulker and a 50-

yard touchdown run by quarterback Chase Carter to nod the score at 14-14 after the first 15 minutes.

After the Eagles regained the lead off a Manaki Watanabe field goal, Ferris State took their first lead of the game when Carter found wide receiver Cam Underwood for a 30-yard score. Following an AU fumble, the Bulldogs took a 28-17 lead when slotback Taariik Brett rushed in from 13 yards out.

Ashland could not recover in the second half, getting outscored 28-7 by Ferris State, with the Bulldogs blowing the game open in the third quarter with three touchdowns.

The Eagles finished the 2025 season with a 10-3 overall record, winning a share of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship and qualifying for the NCAA postseason three times in a four-year span for the first time in program history.