EDITOR’S NOTE: Ashland University’s football website contributed to this report.
ASHLAND — Ashland University football — where adversity is met head-on and new storylines are created each week.
Case in point was Saturday afternoon, when the Eagles had their backs up against the wall early and often against Northwood. AU’s nail-biting, low-scoring, old-fashioned football game ended with a 9-7 victory.
It was a sloppy day for the Ashland offense, but one that ended with a sixth straight victory thanks to a sterling defensive effort. Coach Doug Geiser’s squad is now 6-2 overall, 6-0 atop the Great Midwest Athletic Conference ladder.
“What can you say about the defense? The defense just played tremendous,” Geiser said. “They pitched a shutout. The defense has played their tails off. I’m glad we have (defensive coordinator) Tim Rose on our team.”
The Eagles marched smartly down the field on their opening drive, but an interception stopped them at the 1-yard line.
“We need to be able to finish drives,” Geiser said. “We had a couple breakdowns in protection and we have to redouble our efforts on paying attention to detail.”
On its second drive, quarterback Trevor Bycznski aired it out to the back right corner of the end zone to wideout Jamari Croom for an 18-yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked, leaving the hosts with a 6-0 edge.
“We have to make field goals and PATs when they are there,” Geiser said.
Later in the first quarter, Bycznski tried to throw quickly into the flats to wideout Tyler Davis, but Timberwolves’ cornerback Ricky Pearson read the screen, jumped the route and returned the interception 11 yards for a pick-six. The PAT made it 7-6 Northwood.
And that’s the way it stayed deep into the fourth quarter.
Again the Eagles’ defense came to the fore, forcing a fumble by running back Devin Brown that was recovered by safety Isaiah Clark at the 11-yard line. This turnover was the the game-changing moment.
In short order, kicker A.J. Rhodes booted a 23-yard field goal with 6:25 remaining to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead.
The Timberwolves (4-4, 2-4) had a last chance but a 48-yard field goal was wide left in the final seconds.
“Two really good teams back to back,” Geiser said. “You go through a stretch where you’re playing a lot of emotional games, a lot of tight games, a lot of good games against really good teams. And Thomas More and Northwood are really good teams.
“The kids did a great job fighting through. Special teams made some plays in key moments.”
Up next, AU travels to Lake Erie College Storm on Saturday at 1 p.m.