The Eagles are a perfect 2-0 in the month of October and have not turned the ball over in their last three games. Ashland travels to Wayne State this weekend to take on a Warriors team that has forced 20 turnovers in six games and are 5-1 overall, 4-1 in conference play. The Eagles come in with a record of 3-3 and 2-3 in the GLIAC.

The Warriors are led by their running back tandem of Josh Renel and Toney Davis. Renel is second in the GLIAC in rushing, averaging 124 yards per game. He has rushed for 622 yards on the season and has scored seven touchdowns. Davis is eighth in the conference in rushing, averaging 78 yards per game, and has scored six times.

The Warriors defense is one of the best in the conference, giving up 310 yards per game and only 134 yards on the ground. The Warrior defense is giving up just 16.3 points per contest, tied with Ashland for second in the GLIAC. Nick Thomas leads a stout defense with 41 tackles on the season, and Stan Thornton has 12 tackles and four interceptions. Head Coach Lee Owens feels Wayne’s defense is one of the best.

“They do everything well,” Owens said. “They get a lot of takeaways, they lead the league in interceptions and they are physical up front. They are a well-coached defensive team. In years past, we could get them outnumbered or out of position, but now their new defensive coaches do a great job.”

The Eagles come into their seventh game of the season looking for their first road win of the year and their first at Wayne State since 2004, when the Eagles came out victorious, winning 28-21.

“Wayne is tough to beat up there and we have always had trouble going up there and winning,” Owens said. “Now that we are split into a southern division, this is a team that’s ahead of us in the standings. For us to have any chance to catch them, we have to win this game.”

Ashland will look for another great performance from D.J. McCoy, who ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns against Tiffin. McCoy has rushed for 587 yards and five scores on the season, and has three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. Last year, in a 47-40 heartbreaking loss at Wayne State, McCoy rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

The Eagles offensive production has improved each of the last three weeks. In their loss to Northern Michigan, Ashland gained 271 yards but failed to find the end zone. Against Northwood, the Eagles churned out 436 yards in a 37-17 win, and last week against Tiffin, the Eagles tallied 524 yards and 49 points, both season highs. Taylor Housewright will look for a better performance on the road this week than against Northern Michigan, where he went 12-for-20 for 103 yards and was sacked three times.

The Eagles and Warriors are set to kickoff at noon Saturday. The winner will keep pace with the Chargers of Hillsdale, who are 5-1 and 4-1 in GLIAC play. The Eagles fell to the Chargers Sept. 18, 27-17.