It was homecoming weekend for Ashland as they hosted undefeated and nationally ranked No. 4 Wayne State. The Eagles handed Wayne State their first loss of the season with the foot of kicker Greg Berkshire. Ashland defeated the Warriors 20-17 in a thriller of a game, hitting a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Wayne State jumped out to an early 10-3 lead at the half and took that lead to 17-13 heading into the fourth quarter. Ashland’s offense had a tough time getting going, as they were held to three points through three quarters.

The reoccurring theme for this team is to come back and never give up until the clock hits zero. Wayne State held the ball longer than Ashland by more than five minutes. The Eagles defense are the heroes of the game since they held Wayne state to no points in that crucial fourth quarter, allowing the offense to score several times.

Ashland’s Taylor Housewright went off in the fourth quarter, leading his team down the field for three scoring drives. Housewright finished the game with 56 yards rushing and 78 yards passing with one touchdown pass to backup tight end David Soucie.

Special teams played a huge role in the game as Wayne State returner Josh Renel had two huge punt returns for a total of 86 yards that led to scores for Wayne State. The Eagles tried to run on the warriors defense, and averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a team with their leading rusher being Jordan McCune with 80 yards rushing.

In the fourth quarter Ashland scored two straight touchdowns to tie the game at 17. With 6:23 remaining in the game and the Warriors getting the ball with a tie score, going into the wind Ashland had to put up some kind of stop. The wind played a huge factor in the game, with strong gusts blowing from west to east. Kicks, punts and passes were nearly impossible because of the wind.

Wayne State had some questionable play calls and poor time management, leading to a lobbed pass that was intercepted by Eric Schwieterman. It was Schwieterman’s second interception of the game. However, during his return, he fell down and went down with a serious leg injury that will cost him the rest of the season.

With twelve seconds left and the ball at their own 44 yard line, the Eagles play call was a halfback draw to Anthony Taylor. He rushed for 30 yards to the Wayne State 26 with four seconds left on the clock. Ashland used its final timeout and left the game to Gregg Berkshire. It was Berkshire’s first game-winning field goal attempt in his illustrious college career. He nailed it and the Eagles won with a final score of 20-17.

With the win, Ashland now joins Wayne State and Hillsdale in the GLIAC for first place, and Ashland has the potential to do something great this season. The Eagles play a crucial game Thursday night in a nationally televised game at Saginaw Valley State (4-2). They look to continue their winning ways and finish on top of the GLIAC at the end of the season.