BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Ashland awakened a sleeping giant.
The 18th-ranked Eagles jumped to a first-quarter lead before top-ranked Ferris State roared to a 56-24 win in the second round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs at snowy Top Taggart Field.
AU (10-3) built a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Jamari Croom hauled in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Blair and Chris Maloney shook free for a 65-yard TD run.
That’s when the unbeaten Bulldogs (13-0) came to life. Carson Gulker scored on a 2-yard plunge and Chase Carter’s 50-yard scamper tied it.
AU reclaimed the lead at 17-14 on Manaki Watanabe’s 33-yard field goal with 9:28 remaining in the second quarter.
Yet Ferris took the lead for good just over a minute later.
Carter hooked up with Chase Underwood on a 30-yard scoring strike. Taariik Brett’s 13 yard run made it 28-17 at the half.
Ferris put it away in the third quarter, outscoring the Eagles 21-0 in the period for a 49-17 lead.
Ashland’s final score came early in the fourth frame. Blair hooked up with Jonathan Merrimee on a 7 yard scoring pass to make it 49-24.
Blair completed 8-of-19 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off twice.
Maloney rumbled for 198 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Croom caught three passes for 60 yards and a score.
Carter threw for 135 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown. Ferris collected 348 yards and five TDs on the ground.