Defense Takes Center Stage in Spring Game
April 16, 2004

During his career as a high school and collegiate head coach, Lee Owens has had some offensive units that can put a scoreboard under duress. Friday night (April 16) at Community Stadium, it was his defense that stole the show as the Eagles closed out spring practice with the Purple and Gold Game.

Owens is in his first season as Ashland’s head coach so this was the first opportunity AU fans had to watch him work on his new home field.

Sophomore defensive back Earl Clark had an interception and another sophomore defensive back, Fred Bills, recovered a fumble in the end zone to lead the AU defense. The lone offensive touchdown of the night came when junior tailback Antwan Hart broke free for a 15-yard TD run. Sophomore kicker Austin Wellock had a 26-yard field goal.

The Eagles listed 58 players for the spring game. The squad didn’t break up into two units, instead the game was played like a scrimmage with the offense working against the defense.

Several quarterbacks had the opportunity to take snaps. That group included freshmen Nick Strance and Kyle Johann, redshirt freshman Mark Workman and juniors John Szabo and Jeremy Holland.