Defense Dominates in AU Spring Football Game
April 30, 2005

The Ashland University spring football game was billed as the White-Purple Game. Maybe it should have been titled the “Black and Blue Battle.

The defense dominated all evening as the White recorded a 7-6 victory in front of 500 fans at Community Stadium Saturday (April 30) evening. This was the second spring contest directed by AU head coach Lee Owens and his staff. Unlike last year’s game, where Owens didn’t have enough players to split the squad into two teams, this year the coaching staff could watch a simulated game.

What coaches and fans saw was another strong performance by Devin Conwell. A linebacker the last two years, Conwell is lining up this spring at safety. Saturday night, he had seven tackles (two solo). The only player in the game with a higher tackle total was linebacker Mike Buzzard, who was in on eight stops (seven solo).

From start to finish, defensive back Justin Hood was in the spotlight. He had five tackles (four solo), a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception. Hood also ran down wide receiver Rock Lewis after an 80-yard pass play. Hood’s play prevented Lewis from reaching the end zone.

Linebacker Brady Miller also had a strong game with six tackles (all solo).

The game’s first score came with 8:33 left in the first half, the Purple scoring when quarterback Nick Strance found wideout Trent Seay with a 5-yard pass. The game’s other score, a 35-yard fumble return by Hood, came with 6:35 left in the first half. A PAT by Dustin Hall was the difference in the White’s 7-6 triumph.

Strance completed 10 of 18 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Dalorean White led all players in the game with six receptions for 35 yards. Running back Jon Schroeder had four catches for 18 yards and rushed for 42 yards on 15 trips. Earl Clark, making the switch from defensive back to running back, gained 43 yards on 12 carries. Fullback Andy Owens rambled for 22 yards on four carries.