Schwalm’s Direct Style Suits Eagles
September 7, 2005

Ashland University running back Jason Schwalm (Kenosha, WI/Dublin Coffman) speaks like he runs. There’s not a lot of shifting around or going sideways. Everything’s direct and to the point.

At a time when folks are extra careful about the way they phrase every word, that might make Schwalm a liability with the public speaker’s union. But that style makes him a favorite with AU coaches and players.

“I love having him back there,” says sophomore fullback Ray Kent (Uniontown, OH/Green). “Antwan Hart last year was more of a shifty runner. If Jason sees a hole, he hits it hard.”

“He’s 100 percent,” added junior quarterback Nick Strance (Willard, OH). “He’s one of the fastest, strongest guys I’ve seen. He’s our man.”

Schwalm has played the major role on the ground for the Eagles, who are off to a 2-0 start in 2005. He’s rushed for 228 yards on 53 carries with a touchdown. Last week at Ferris State, he put together the third 100-yard day of his career, bulling his way through the Bulldogs for 132 yards.

Schwalm’s presence has helped the Eagles play ball-control football. That has kept a solid defense refreshed. Ashland is churning out 197 yards per game on the ground. On the flip side, the Eagles allow only 28.0 yards per game rushing. That’s the best figure in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“If you have a great running back and a great offensive line, you can push and push,” said Kent. “We can take over a lot of games. It (running game) takes a toll.”

Injuries took a toll on Schwalm last season. He appeared in the season opener against Saint Joseph’s, but was lost for the rest of the season due to a broken leg. His rehabilitation went well, he got into the weight room early in the offseason. He showed signs of being well in the spring, but the coaching staff elected to hold him out of the spring game.

“It wasn’t that hard, I didn’t feel 100 percent anyway,” Schwalm said. “I probably could have played, but it was in my best interests that I didn’t. It was hard to watch the guys play and not contribute. But as the coaches said, I didn’t have to prove anything anymore.”

The plan last year was to have Schwalm and Hart share the running back spot. In 2003, Schwalm was sixth in the league in rushing (73.4 ypg.) and Hart was seventh (64.2 ypg.). The Eagles always seemed to have a set of fresh legs in the game. When Schwalm went on the shelf last year, the concern was that Hart wouldn’t hold up for the year. He proved how wrong that prediction was by rushing for a school single-season record 1,474 yards.

“I was happy for him,” Schwalm said. “I wasn’t surprised, I knew he was a great back. I was fortunate to play with him. With our line and the team playing like it did, they could get the record. It was a combination of the experience of the line and having a great runner.”

The Eagles expect to run the ball in a similar fashion this year. Schwalm and his understudy, sophomore Jon Schroeder (Avon Lake, OH), bring solid credentials to the tailback spot. In this year’s season opener at Saint Joseph’s, Schroeder came off the bench to gain 143 yards on 19 carries. Schwalm had 96 yards on 23 trips, but had to exit the game midway through the second half because of leg cramps.

“He’s a great back,” said Schwalm of his backfield mate. “He’s a physical runner, pretty quick. He doesn’t go down after the first tackle.”

Up and down the offense, the Eagles can boast of a physical presence. Schwalm might not have the breakaway speed of Hart, but he can bounce off defenders and put them back on their heels. He’s helped by a veteran offense line where all five interior linemen are over 300 pounds and have extensive playing experience.

“We have a great line,” emphasized Schwalm, “and the possibilities are endless. What will happen, I don’t know. I’m excited because of the line. Big plays should happen.”

Schwalm should make his share of those. He’s not been the least bit tentative in the first two games. Any lingering memories of last year’s injury are gone.

“I can’t worry about that,” said Schwalm. “If something is going to happen, it’s going to happen. I don’t play worrying about something happening.”

Schwalm will have plenty of chances to make something happen. He can plan on 20-plus carries a game. At 5-11, 204 pounds, he believes he’s ready for the pounding of an 11-game season.

“I feel about as big and strong as last year,” Schwalm said. “I think I’m where I was last year.”

Because he is, the Eagles are ahead of where they were a year ago. A win this Saturday (Sept. 10) against Gannon would give Ashland its first 3-0 start since 1992.

“I think we’re capable of a lot,” offered Schwalm. “We have a lot of returnees and Nick should be twice as good as he was last year. I think we can score more points.”