A Jack Miller Stadium/Fred Martinelli field record 4,923 fans watched Ashland University (2-0) cruise past Walsh University (1-1) in a 41-17 victory on Sept. 13.

The offensive leader of the game was senior running back Anthony Taylor. Taylor had 22 carries for 132 yards and one touchdown. That touchdown, the 35th of Taylor’s career, puts him in a tie with Donald “The High Roller” Church for the most touchdowns in Ashland University history.

“I really wanted it today, especially at home,” Taylor said. “I understand that Coach (Lee Owens) wanted me to not get hurt.” 

Taylor actually snuck onto the field during the last drive to try and get it.

“He tried to sneak in there at the end, he wasn’t supposed to be in the game,” Owens said with a smile. 

“He was trying to get that next touchdown. He has plenty of time to get the last touchdown. The last thing I need to do is get him banged up at the end.”

The running back trio of Taylor, senior Jordan McCune and sophomore Vance Settlemire each scored a touchdown in the game.

 “It definitely helps,” Taylor said of how McCune and Settlemire affect his play.  “We’re very versatile in who we can play there, so it helps a lot.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Travis Tarnowski had a solid game as well. Tarnowski completed 18 of his 28 pass attempts for 167 yards and a touchdown. 

“It was a great test for Travis,” Owens said of the Walsh defense. “Their defense, the back end of their defense, their corners and safeties are really good.”

Ashland started the game with a five play, 50-yard drive that was capped by Settlemire’s 38-yard touchdown. 

The drive seemed like it was going to be a three and out, but backup quarterback Austin Bruns, who can also punt, came into the game and ran for the first down to keep the drive alive.

Walsh then began to drive down the field, until sophomore quarterback Brody Tonn threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to give the ball right back to Ashland. 

Ashland would add three points with Aiden Simenc’s 24 yard field goal to make it 10-0.

With 13:48 in the second quarter, Walsh would drive down the field and score a touchdown to make it a 10-7 game. 

Tonn accounted for 65 of the 80 yards on the drive, including his 17-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Jerald Robinson.

Walsh tried to catch AU off guard with a surprise onside kick after their touchdown.

Ashland would recover the ball, even after it was determined that Walsh was offsides on the play. 

Owens was certainly surprised.

“The timing of the kick (surprised us) a little bit. To kick there was huge.” “I thought it was a huge turning point. Donzale (Ashley) made a great play on the ball.”

The Eagles would answer on the following drive with a six-yard touchdown run from McCune to make the game 17-7, which would be the score at halftime.

The craziest play of the game happened in the third quarter with 12:23 on the game clock. 

Walsh had just gotten the ball on an Ashland punt and were on their own 32.

Tonn threw a pass that was tipped by linebacker Chris Harvey and intercepted by linebacker Adam Wallace. 

After a 23-yard return, Walsh running back Aaron Male made Wallace fumble the ball. 

The ball proceeded to bounce into the end zone and was jumped on by Ashland defensive back Eric Schwieterman for the touchdown to give the Eagles a 24-7 lead.

“Turnovers are always crucial,” Schwieterman said. 

“It is always nice when we are able to create turnovers because usually our offense does a great job of holding onto the ball and creating points off those turnovers.” 

Owens agreed. 

“If they take the ball down and score, it is a whole new game.”

A Walsh field goal from Michael Dudics would make the score 24-10. 

Ashland’s next drive is when Taylor scored his record-tying touchdown from seven yards out. That increased Ashland’s lead to 31-10.

After Ashland turned the ball over on downs, Tonn lead another touchdown drive.

 This one was 13 plays for 88 yards and was capped by a one yard run from Male to make it 31-17.

Tarnowski responded with an impressive 29-yard touchdown pass to Kamaron Green.

 Owens believed that was an important pass. 

“That throw he made at the end on the post route (to Green) on third down was big time.”

Walsh’s next possession ended when Tonn threw the ball to Schwieterman, who returned it 34 yards before being tackled.

“(Schwieterman) made some big plays,” Owens said. 

“That’s why we gave him the game ball at the end.”

The interception would lead to another 24 yard field goal from Simenc and made the score 41-17.

Owens spoke very highly of his opponent. 

“I know it’s the best (Walsh) team we’ve played since I’ve been here.”

Ashland’s next game will be on the road Sept. 20 against Old Dominican, who is also 2-0 and ranked seventh in the nation according to D2Football.com. 

Owens certainly knows the   importance of the game.

“Our guys are fired up about it. We know we are playing for first place and a chance to stay in the lead.”

Ohio Dominican came back to beat Grand Valley State on the Lakers’ home turf 28-24 on 19th. 

The win was the Panthers 16th straight conference victory.

ODU defeated Ashland 31-19 on AU’s homecoming weekend in 2013. 

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the Panthers and Eagles. 

The teams have split the previous four meetings 2-2.