Ashland University back up quarterback Austin Bruns completed 16 passes on 31 attempts for 220 yards. Bruns also fired two touchdowns passes. One for each team. 

Bruns’ second half teammates, the Gold team, defeated the Purple team 35-21 in the annual spring football game played under the lights of Jack Miller Stadium.

“It was an exciting game. Both quarterbacks played well at times,” said head football coach, Lee Owens.  “It was a great spring for us.” 

GLIAC Freshman of the year and starting Quarterback Travis Tarnowski played in the first half and finished the day with 110 yards on 12 of 24 passing and was picked off once. 

“Travis has gotten better,” said Owens. “There’s no question. He’s still got work to do. He’s young. But he understands so much more of what we’re doing.”

Tailback Vance Settlemire, tasked with replacing AU all time leader rusher Anthony Taylor in the backfield, did not see any playing time.  Settlemire is recovering from a concussion.

 “We held him out just to keep him healthy.” Said Ownes. “We also wanted to a look to see what those other guys could do.” 

With the graduation of tight ends Matt Schweitzer and Logan Slavinski, a gaping hole was left at the tight end position.

Enter Freshman Adam Shaheen.

Shaheen was named Gridiron Club offensive player of the game after snagging a 27-yard touchdown from Bruns in the third quarter en route to recording a six catch and 82-yard performance.

“Adam Shaheen had a fantastic game,” said Owens. “He has been playing like that all spring. He is going to be a big time player for us.” 

Eastern Michigan transfer Michael Griffin was named Gridiron Club defensive player of the game after picking off Tarnowski twice in the first quarter (one was called back due to a penalty). 

 “Some guys really stepped on defense,” said Owens. Griff had two picks for us.” 

The spring game was also used as a way to honor former AU greats. Current Cleveland Brown Jaime Meder was the honorary coach for the Gold squad while Indianapolis Colts’ lineman Jeris Pendleton was the honorary headman for the Purple squad.

“It’s awesome. Loved it. It was a great time. It’s great to be back,” Meder said in a press release. “It’s my second home.”

“It brings back a lot of memories, all the work we put in,” said Pendleton in the same press release. “Just going through the grind with Meder and the teammates I had at the time. I remember what these guys are going through right now.”

 “They’re obviously great players, but they’re fine men and great role models,” said Owens. “Honestly, to represent and be ambassadors for Ashland Eagle football and the NFL is a big deal for us.” 

AU comes off a bittersweet 2014 campaign that saw them race out to a 8-1 start before faltering in the final week of the season versus Michigan Tech eliminating the Eagles from the division two playoffs. 

“We expect our guys to come in to summer camp and compete for a championship from day one,” said Owens. 

AU opens up the season with two games on road, visiting Lake Erie before taking a trip to Canton to face Walsh. 

AU opens up the home portion of their schedule when the Panthers of Ohio Dominican visit.