Saturday’s game was a special one, and hopefully a sign of more to come. 

Anthony Taylor tied the career touchdown record with his touchdown run in the third quarter, adding another note to his already prolific career. 

However, he is far removed from his season last year as the only back in the Eagles’ running back stable. 

Vance Settlemire and Jordan McCune each chipped in a touchdown, and Taylor actually has the lowest yards per carry average among the three backs, which is a great situation to be in as an AU football fan.

When a back as talented as Taylor, who is still having a phenomenal year, is trailing in any statistical category, its evidence of something really special.

This says nothing of the youth all around the field for the Eagles, which deserves its own story.

The Eagles beat the Walsh Cavaliers 41-17, starting 2-0 for only the third time in Lee Owens’s tenure as a head coach. 

The last time this happened, Ashland University hosted a football playoff game for the first time in school history. 

Needless to say, things are looking up for the Eagles after an uneven season last year.

For me, though, the most significant takeaway was the crowd. 

I’ve often been critical of AU sports fans, mainly students, for not showing up to events. 

Friday’s crowd broke the Jack Miller Stadium attendance record, coming in just shy of 5,000 fans. 

This number is a little bit inflated from family weekend, and any parents who might be in the crowd that won’t be there consistently, but there is still plenty to be excited about with attendance like this. 

I was in the press box calling the game for the JDM live stream.

 Every time the Eagles needed a big play, the crowd responded. 

I could feel the floor vibrating, the excitement of the crowd surging up from beneath me. 

Maybe I am stereotyping here, but I don’t think that energy is coming from any extra parents that were around. 

Ashland Eagles football, and the sports in general, are finally getting some of the recognition around campus they deserve. 

The athletics program here is top-notch. They are consistently among the best in the nation, and it appears Ashland University fans are beginning to give these teams the support they deserve.