Final Preparations Set for Spring Football Game
April 14, 2004

CFL, USFL WFL, NFL, the alphabet soup of professional football has, over the years, introduced a wide range of innovations to increase scoring.

Now comes the Ashland University spring football game, which promises to showcase scoring that the NBA craves.

The first Purple and Gold game will be held this Friday, Apr. 16, at 7 p.m., at Community Stadium. The game is open to the public. While there is no admission, fans are encouraged to participate in one of two donation projects. Students will be collecting canned food items at the gate and there will also be a booth where fans can contribute $1 to the Make A Wish Foundation. The food items will be donated to the Ashland County Food Bank.

The game itself will feature a unique scoring system. The offense will play by the normal football rules – six points for a touchdown, three points for a field goal, two points for a PAT conversion and one point for a kick conversion. However, the offense will receive a point for every first down it earns. It can also get three points if it stops a fake punt.

On defense, a touchdown will be worth six points, as will a turnover. A blocked field goal will net the defense three points and a blocked PAT is worth a single point. The defense will get two points for a conversion stop, a third down stop or a safety. A stop on fourth down is good for three markers. On special teams, a tackle made inside the 20 yardline can net one point.

“This allows the players to compete for the win,” explained AU head coach Lee Owens. “The defense has a number of extra ways to score. Sometimes this can be a high-scoring affair and that’s fun for the spectators. The most important thing is you work all spring and you don’t have any wins and losses. Even the coaches, we’re competitive by nature. This will be fun to see the offensive and defensive coaches work against each other.”

This game will also serve as a dry run for the fall as far as getting plays and players into the game.

“It’s a chance for us to get a dress rehearsal with something that’s critical,” noted Owens.

This game will feature a pair of honorary coaches. Dr. John Flora will be with one team and Ashland University President Dr. G. William Benz will help direct the other squad.