The Eagle Notebook: Deeper Defense Pays Dividends
August 27, 2005

A year ago, the Ashland University Eagles were second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference against the run and fifth in total defense. In Saturday’s 30-15 win over Saint Joseph’s in Rensselaer, IN, the Eagles had another banner day against the run, holding SJC to -25 yards. But maybe the most impressive thing to come out of the win defensively, was the depth the defense showed.

Sure, senior Devin Conwell had 10 tackles (five solo) and an interception and junior linebacker Allen Lattimore had nine stops (six solo) and two tackles for loss. But there was sophomore linebacker Luke Busson with nine tackles (five solo) and Brady Miller, another linebacker, with seven stops (six solo). Defensive lineman Kyle Zelazny was all over the field, especially in the first half, and finished with five tackles (four solo) and a sack.

“It wasn’t just him, our defensive line in general took the game away from them,” noted defensive coordinator Jim Meyer. “Early on they couldn’t throw the ball. All they could throw today were quick passes. The drop-back passes they took away, the running game they took away.”

The Eagles had to do some mixing and matching in the secondary, but held up well. Freshman Tom Brenner saw action, especially late in the game. Cornerback Kelly Ajala, one of AU’s most improved players, also saw plenty of snaps.

“We knew we had some secondary injuries, nuisance injuries,” Meyer said. “We had guys ready to step in. A day like this, that’s important. We got in a buzzsaw, sometimes that happens. I think we’re improved over last year.”

“We had depth, we have confidence in our second team,” added Lattimore. “We had to keep everyone fresh. We knew it could come down to the wire.”

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The offensive line also managed to stay intact on a humid day. When the SJC defense was beginning to wilt, the AU offensive front could still get a steady push up front.

“I felt good and I think everyone made it through well,” said junior tackle Mike Dolfi. “That’s from the 110’s we ran all summer.”

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Junior quarterback Nick Strance finished his afternoon with 12 completions in 20 attempts for 103 yards and three interceptions. He was sacked twice. Senior wide receiver Dalorean White had seven catches for 55 yards. His longest catch covered 16 yards. Ten different players caught at least one pass for Saint Joseph’s.

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AU outscored the Pumas, 27-6 over the final two quarters. Last season, Ashland was outscored, 128-122 in the second half…Schroeder’s best rushing game last season was a 55-yard effort at Northern Michigan…freshman Jared Karrasch made the first field goal of his collegiate career, connecting from 37 yards. That’s the only three-pointer he attempted…junior defensive lineman Matt Baughman had 1.5 sacks. AU finished with five sacks.