Jack Miller Stadium is not considered brand new anymore. However, it is completed and, in the words of head coach Lee Owens, “the best NCAA Division II facility in America.” There have been plenty of records and Ashland firsts at Jack Miller Stadium already in just six home games:

1. Last year’s home opener was the first home game on campus since 1962 (AU won 34-28 over Michigan Tech.).

2. First carry: D.J. McCoy for 2 yards against MTU.

3. First completion: Billy Cundiff to Christian Livingston for 9 yards against MTU.

4. First touchdown: Nick Bellanco 47-yard reception from Billy Cundiff against MTU.

5. First tackle: Matt Stoinoff and Shane Usner against MTU.

6. Longest touchdown pass: 96 yards – Billy Cundiff to Joe Horn against Northwood in 2009; Taylor Housewright to Joe Horn against Bloomsburg in 2010.

One thing Ashland has not done in Jack Miller Stadium is play under the lights. On Saturday, that will all change as the Hillsdale Chargers make a visit to Ashland to take on the Eagles. Both teams enter the game with records of 1-1 (0-1 in the GLIAC).

The Chargers were picked to finish second in the GLIAC behind the Lakers of Grand Valley State and are coming off a heartbreaking defeat to the Lakers last week, falling 44-41. The Eagles, who were picked to finish fourth in the conference this season, return home after a 17-12 loss to the Greyhounds of Indianapolis last weekend.

In last year’s meeting, the Chargers came to Ashland and dealt the Eagles their first loss in their new facility, 38-19. The Chargers gained 435 yards of total offense while holding Ashland to 307 yards, and only 80 yards rushing. Senior tailback Vinnie Panizzi led the Chargers’ attack by rushing for a career-high 231 yards on 28 carries and scored three times. In 2008, Panizzi ran for 140 yards on 29 carries and one score against the Eagles. Ashland was led by Billy Cundiff’s 227 passing yards and two scores, and Livingston had six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.

The biggest story coming into this season’s meeting between the Chargers and Eagles is Andre Holmes, a senior wide receiver for Hillsdale. Holmes is viewed as one of the top receivers in the country, regardless of division. Last season, Holmes made 77 receptions for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns and is high on many NFL draft experts’ draft boards for 2011. The Eagles will have the tough task of containing Holmes and his signal-caller, Troy Weatherhead, who passed for 152 yards in last year’s meeting and 3,348 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2009.

Ashland’s keys to victory are very simple; contain Holmes and establish the running game. If Holmes, at 6’5″, 206 pounds, can find gaps in the Eagle secondary, Hillsdale won’t have any problems on offense. The tallest secondary starter for the Eagles is Tyler McFarlin, who stands 5’11”.

For the Eagles offense, Taylor Housewright has led the team in rushing each of the last two weeks. He had 65 yards in the opener against Bloomsburg and 71 yards last week against Indy. Although his numbers are impressive, he can’t be the only one gaining yards. McCoy and Antonio Pickens will have to be trusted and effective in the running game for the Eagles to maintain balance on offense.

The final key for the Eagles this week against the Chargers is to limit the turnovers. In the victory over Bloomsburg, the Eagles didn’t have any turnovers and forced two. In the loss to the Greyhounds last week, the Eagles threw three interceptions and didn’t force any turnovers. If they can play turnover-free and manage the clock, the Eagles will have a good chance to upset the 13th-ranked Chargers.

Kickoff for the primetime game at Jack Miller Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. There will be a “Purple out” at the field where fans are encouraged to deck themselves out in purple gear and support the Eagles.

The winner of this game will still have a chance at a GLIAC championship while the loser will fall to 0-2 in league play.