ASHLAND — He never lost a regular season home game in four years as Ashland University’s starting quarterback, but Travis Tarnowski is haunted by his one home postseason appearance.
The newly-crowned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year will get the chance to put those memories to bed for good when the Eagles host two-time defending Division II national champion Northwest Missouri State in the opening round of the playoffs at noon Saturday at Jack Miller Stadium.
The last time Ashland (10-1) made the playoffs, the Eagles hosted GLIAC nemesis Grand Valley State in the regional quarterfinals in 2015. Tarnowski threw three interceptions in the first quarter as the Lakers avenged a regular season loss at AU with a 45-28 win.
“Last time we had a playoff game here, I didn’t play my best and we didn’t play our best,” said Tarnwoski, who has thrown just one interception in 317 attempts this fall. “We’re kind of looking for some redemption for the home crowd.”
AU’s high-flying offense will face its biggest challenge of the year. Northwest Missouri State (9-2) leads the nation in scoring defense (8.3 point per game) and total defense (207.6 yards per game).
“This is the best looking defensive football team that I can remember coaching against in Division II,” said AU coach Lee Owens, the GLIAC’s Coach of the Year. “And we’ve played some really good teams in the playoffs and we’ve played some really good teams in the conference.
“Defensively, they look really good.”
Linebacker Ben Althoff leads the Bearcats with 68 tackles, including six tackles for loss. Defensive end Austen Eskew has a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two fumble recoveries. Cornerback Anthony Lane has a team-best three interceptions.
Tarnowski completed 191 of 317 passes for 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns this fall. Andrew Vaughn rushed for 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns, but sat out last week’s season finale against Saginaw Valley State with a knee injury.
“We need to get healthy,” Owens said. “Vaughn was the player of the week two weeks in a row in this league. We’ve got some depth but (injuries) impact you as a team. Every team in America in Week 11 is beat up. That’s just the nature of it.”
AU’s defense is led by defensive end James Prater Jr., who matched a single-game record with 3.5 sacks last week. Prater Jr. has a single season-record 19.5 tackles for loss.
“Honestly, it’s pressure by other guys … that allows me to make plays,” Prater Jr. said.
Senior quarterback Zach Martin is the trigger man for the Bearcats. Martin has completed 211 of 355 passes for 2,331 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“If we can play defense like we did against Ferris State (a 20-3 AU victory), we’re going to be in it,” Owens said. “But that is how we have to play defense.”
Playing at home will certainly help, too.
“We want to let this ride out as long as possible,” Tarnowski said. “This is my last year and I don’t want it to end.”
