One game at a time: Ashland University wary of overconfidence against winless Walsh
The Great Midwest Athletic Conference’s only unbeaten team overall will face the league’s only winless team when Ashland travels to Canton at noon Saturday to take on Walsh.
Not only are the Eagles 4-0 for the first time since 2016, they’re also No. 6 in the country in the American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 poll after starting the season as an unranked team.
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The ranking is Ashland’s highest in the AFCA poll since being No. 5 in September 2016. AU, which is 2-0 in the G-MAC, is one of 16 undefeated football teams remaining in NCAA Division II.
“The enemy this week is not necessarily Walsh,” Ashland coach Lee Owens said. “It’s being sixth in the country, it’s being undefeated, it’s being No. 1 on offense and defense in the league. It’s all those distractions that really don’t matter.
“The only thing that matters is we show up and we’re ready to play Walsh, we have a good game plan and we execute it and play another clean game.”
It’s been a tough year so far for the Cavaliers (0-5, 0-3). They’ve been shut out in G-MAC losses to Tiffin (42-0) and Ohio Dominican (21-0), while also losing a league tilt to Hillsdale (35-17).
The other losses have been to Quincy (28-13), a team the Eagles defeated 34-14 at Quincy, and McKendree (46-10).
The Eagles won 35-10 at Walsh in 2021, and have seven consecutive wins over the Cavaliers in a series that started in 2012.
“It’s always a tough game for us,” Owens said. “And this game can make their season, it can be a program builder for them. Obviously they’re going to give us their best shot, everything they have. And we have to show up ready to play. That’s the challenge to this team.”
The Cavaliers have struggled on offense, scoring just eight points a game, while the defense is allowing 34. Walsh is rushing for 121 yards and passing for 166 yards per game, while allowing 142 on the ground and 263 through the air.
Quarterback Tom Vatter is 92-of-158 passing with 10 interceptions and no touchdowns. Tai Carter is the leading rusher with 227 yards on 65 carries.
Tyre Gray is the top receiver with 19 receptions for 174 yards. Garrett Waite has 17 catches for 119 yards, and Kharion Davis and Keyshawn Johnson each have 10 receptions.
In last Saturday’s loss to Ohio Dominican, Walsh had just 118 total yards — 88 passing and 30 rushing.
On defense, Stephen Baugh has 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Defensive back Javon Colston has two interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Ashland defense ranks ninth in total defense in Division II, allowing just 238.5 yards and 12 points per game.
“Going against this defense is probably not how you get well,” Owens said. “We’re pretty good defensively the way we run around.
“We’ll see what happens. I’m sure they’ll try to slow the game down a little bit. I understand that but that doesn’t help your offense either when that’s your strategy going into a game.”
The Eagles had their best offensive showing of the season in Saturday’s 56-17 domination of Northwood. Quarterback Austin Brenner finished 17-for-25 passing for 306 yards and two touchdowns, and added 32 rushing yards. On Monday, he was named G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Logan Bolin caught seven passes for 143 yards and a score in the win. With 2,093 career receiving yards, he is now fifth on Ashland's all-time list.
Running backs Gei’vonni Washington (326 yards and six TDs) and Larry Martin (301 yards and four TDs) continue to share work in the backfield.
On defense, linebacker Michael Ayers has been a standout for a unit that has allowed just one touchdown in the first half of the first four games combined. Against Northwood, his stat line included nine tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles.
The special teams also had a great day against the Timberwolves, averaging 50.5 yards per punt, connecting on all eight PATs and coming up with a fumble recovery on a Northwood kickoff return.
“The competitiveness right now between our offense and our defense is really good,” Owens said. “They’re both No. 1 in the conference but the defense is a little higher nationally ranked than what the offense is. It’s really good to be having some success on both sides of the ball. And then, you know, our kickers and punters are doing a nice job, too.
“We’re playing pretty disciplined, pretty clean football. It’s a sign of a mature group. When you’re unselfish, when you’re not making penalties and doing things right, it’s going to pay off for you in the long run.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Coach Lee Owens to lead No. 6 Ashland University against Walsh
