EDITOR’S NOTE: For more coverage on this game, log on to the Ashland University athletics department website at this link.
ASHLAND — Ashland, Ohio is where the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Champions reside.
Ashland University’s football team clinched an outright league title via a 44-30 thumping of Kentucky Wesleyan at Jack Miller Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Doug Geiser, in just his second year at the helm of the Eagles, saw his team improve to 8-3 overall, 8-1 atop the league.
“This feels amazing. I feel amazing for the kids and the staff,” Geiser said. “They have worked their tail off get to this point to be able to enjoy something like this.”
Sophomore tailback Ty’aris Stevenson racked up 181 yards and five touchdowns on 35 carries to control the action.
“Something’s clicked in the last few weeks,” Geiser said of the Cincinnati Withrow product. “He’s not thinking about it too much. He’s letting his ability show through. It’s been beautiful to see, and I’m so proud of that kid.
“He has clicked well with our offensive line, the fullbacks, the tight ends. They have been blocking their tail off for him.”
The Eagles finally pulled away from the stubborn Panthers in a high-scoring affair, but it wasn’t easy.
Kentucky Wesleyan roared to a 10-0 first-quarter lead before Ashland responded by ripping off three consecutive touchdowns.
Stevenson sandwiched TD runs of 8 and 11 yards around a 38-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Trevor Bycznski to sophomore wide receiver Jamari Croom. That gave AU a 21-10 second-period bulge, yet it didn’t last.
The Panthers notched two more scores, with Stevenson hitting paydirt again from three yards out in a wild first half.
Ashland took a 27-23 advantage to intermission.
“We’re still very, very, very, young, and you sometimes go through those situations where those young guys, they go with the ebbs and the flows of the game,” Geiser said. “But they kept fighting.
“At the beginning of the season, we weren’t playing like an Ashland football team. They had the fight and the grit like an Ashland team, and I’m proud of them cashing in today.”
Junior kicker A.J. Rhodes started the second-half scoring with a 21-yard field goal to push AU’s lead to a touchdown at 30-23, then Stevenson ran in from 29 yards for his fourth score of the game for a 37-23 advantage at the 8:08 mark of the third quarter.
Back again came Kentucky Wesleyan, with running back Brandon Mackey scoring on a 2-yard TD run to cut the Ashland lead to 37-30 with 6:23 left in the third.
Ashland defensive end Michael Shimek blocked a Panther field goal in the fourth quarter, his second blocked kick of the game, then the offense cashed in thanks to Stevenson’s fifth rushing TD, a 2-yard dash, to make it a 44-30 lead with 9:50 to go. That score tied the conference record for rushing touchdowns in a game.
“It’s just a credit to our offensive line and our receivers,” Stevenson said. “I can’t do it on my own. We’re a team. Our chemistry is what’s helping us, and I’m just doing my part.
“I give all the glory to God. I thank Him first, and I just keep working hard. And we’re not done yet.
The Eagles managed the clock down the stretch and held the Panthers out of the scoring column.
With the Findlay Oilers suffering a defeat to the Tiffin Dragons, 37-14, earlier in the day, the win for the Eagles gave them the right to be outright GMAC Champions.
“We are gonna enjoy this one a little bit,” Geiser said. “Thank you to the staff at Tiffin for getting that win so that we are the sole GMAC champions.”
Bycznski ended the game with 207 yards passing and one touchdown. In the receiving game, wideout Tony Pannunzio finished with four receptions and 96 yards.
The Eagles now await a potential NCAA selection on whether or not they will compete in the Division II playoffs. If selected, AU will prepare to compete next on Saturday, Nov. 23.
“Hopefully, some right decisions will be made, and we are playing next week as well,” Geiser said.
Notes
Senior Day was Saturday, and the Eagle seniors are 32-13 (.711) with two Great Midwest titles, a bowl game win and an NCAA Division II postseason appearance in 2022
“That’s quite a legacy for this group of seniors,” Geiser said.
Ashland is 5-0 all-time vs. KWC. The two teams combined for 73 points and 871 yards.
AU blocked three kicks in this game, a field goal, an extra point, and a punt.
Next
The NCAA Division II football playoff selection show on Sunday (Nov. 17) at 6 p.m..