The No. 23-ranked Ashland University football team was unable to get a win Thursday night on the opening night of the 2019 season at Jack Miller Stadium, falling 24-9 to the No. 16- ranked Indianapolis Greyhounds.

The Eagles were able to get on the board early in the first half via three made field goals from junior kicker Satchel Denton, making them from 41, 36 and 26 yards respectively. Following those made field goals, the Eagles took a 9-0 advantage halfway through the second quarter.

The Greyhounds refused to go away quietly, following up with a 23-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker Paul Buisman, trimming the Eagle lead to 9-3 going into halftime.

The second half was one that the Greyhounds dominated against the Eagles, beginning with a 77-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback T.J. Edwards to junior receiver Daveon Bell on the opening series, allowing Indianapolis to take a 10-9 lead.

The Greyhound defense was able to hold the Eagles scoreless in the second half, while the Greyhound offense put up two more touchdown drives, resulting in the Eagles first loss of the season by a score of 24-9.

The Eagles put up 54 total rushing yards against the Greyhounds, something that head coach Lee Owens was surprised about following the loss.

“We have been running the ball very well against our defense at times, but we got exposed tonight,” Owens stated. “This is a really good defensive football team, a good defensive front, and they exposed us up front.”

The Eagles defense held the Greyhounds to 91 total yards of offense in the first half, while the second half had the Greyhounds accumulating 255 total yards of offense.

“They came out with a great scheme after halftime,” junior linebacker Ryan Corkrean said. “They kind of fired off the ball real quick. It was a good scheme.”

Ashland sophomore quarterback Austin Brenner led the way for the Eagles on offense, completing 22 of 45 passes with two interceptions. Brenner was able to throw for 303 passing yards, making it the first game where Brenner has thrown for 300 or more passing yards in his collegiate career.

Ashland will begin the season with a loss of the schedule, but head coach Lee Owens thought of the match-up with the Greyhounds as a learning experience.

“I’ve said from the very beginning to play the very best opponent we possibly can in Week One,” coach Owens said. “Obviously, if you turn this thing around and get some wins, it really helps you in the playoffs. More than anything else, your weaknesses get exposed.”

Ashland will look forward to Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Eagles travel to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to take on the Walsh Cavaliers at 1 p.m.