With shadows of a historic record hanging in the balance for Ashland senior Quarterback Taylor Housewright, it was the running game that stole the show for the Eagles.

Riding 277 total rushing yards, AU (9-0, 8-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) was able to overcome an opening touchdown by Findlay (5-3, 5-3) and cruise to an easy 42-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Jack Miller Stadium/Fred Martinelli Field.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Housewright needed only 33 more pass attempts to set the NCAA record for most passes in a row without an interception.

Knowing this, Findlay had to find a way to stop the high-flying Eagles passing attack. Housewright did not set the record, attempting only 16 passes, yet this was only a side note as the Eagles’ running backs were the stars of the day.

Sophomore Anthony Taylor led the charge with 167 rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Oilers had a hard time stopping the Taylor, as he seemingly ran at will, wearing down a visibly tired defense.

“We kept pounding the ball and they got tired,” said sophomore running back Jordan McCune, who shared carries with Taylor. “They looked like they weren’t conditioned enough for our run game.”

McCune provided the other half of the dual threat AU rushing attack, scoring four touchdowns and amassing 65 yards on 12 carries. This one-two punch of McCune and Taylor gave the Eagles a potent combo that was simply too much for the Findlay defense.

Findlay scored first on the day, marching 75 yards on 12 plays to start the game. The Oilers were able to punch it in on a 13-yard pass from Clay Belton to Lloyd Henry.

This score, momentarily stunning the crowd of over 3,000, was enough to wake up the Eagles and provide a spark to the offense.

After answering on the ensuing possession on a 17-yard strike from Housewright to Dan Piko, the Eagles never looked back, scoring 35 unanswered points. This took any life out of a worn out Findlay team that was only able to muster two more scores.

The Ashland defense also had a big day, holding the usually powerful Findlay offense to under 400 total yards and only seven points through the first three quarters. Mike McMillan, Cody Bloom and Jamie Meder had 10 tackles each to pace the defense.

“They’re a really good offensive team. They’re going to make some plays,” said AU head coach Lee Owens. “What we did do defensively is start to get a pace of the game.”

This victory moved the Eagles to 9-0 on the year and locked up a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division title. They can wrap up the conference crown next week with a win at Tiffin (2-7, 1-7).

“This is a championship team,” said Findlay head coach, Rob Keys. “That’s why they’re the GLIAC South champions and probably the GLIAC champions when all’s said and done.

Ashland moved up one spot in each of the Division II polls, climbing to No. 5 in the American Football Coaches Association Coaches’ Poll, No. 9 in the D2football.com poll and No. 1 in the Super Region 4 Rankings.

If the season ended today, the Eagles would host a playoff game at Jack Miller Stadium after receiving a bye through the first round.

This week’s game at Tiffin kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Housewright will only need to throw 18 passes without an interception to break Russell Wilson’s NCAA record. Ashland returns home Nov. 10 to play Notre Dame College.