The Eagles Notebook: Conwell’s Move Helps Crabtree
September 10, 2005

Much was made this preseason when senior Devin Conwell moved from linebacker to free safety. Most of the attention centered around how Conwell would do in the secondary. What was lost in that switch was what the move did for the other Ashland linebackers.

One player who has flourished is senior Jeremy Crabtree. The 6-3, 234-pound Pickerington, OH, native had the best game of his career against Gannon with 11 tackles (10 solo), four tackles for loss, and an interception.

“He runs well, plus he’s 240 pounds,” pointed out AU head coach Lee Owens. “Brady Miller got a game ball last week and I wouldn’t be surprised if another linebacker, Jeremy, got it this week.”

Ashland’s top five tacklers on the season are all linebackers, if you count Conwell as a safety-linebacker. That group includes Conwell (27), Allen Lattimore (23), Jeremy Crabtree (20), Miller (20) and Luke Busson (17).

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That linebacking corps has paced a defense that’s shown very few weak spots through three games. Ashland is allowing 46.7 ypg., on the ground and 230.3 ypg., in total offense. The Eagles have 12 sacks and have put consistent pressure on the pocket.

“We’re proud of our rush defense and our quarterback hurries,” said Crabtree. “We’re up to 40 or 50 (quarterback hurries) right now.”

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Conwell finished the Gannon game with five tackles (three solo). That’s the first time he didn’t reach double digits in tackles since last year’s Ferris State game (Conwell missed one game last year, at home against Michigan Tech).

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Tailback Jason Schwalm registered his second consecutive 100-yard rushing effort and the fourth of his career with 115 yards on 20 carries against Gannon. Schwalm is averaging 23.3 carries per game. He’s rushed for 343 yards on 73 carries (4.7 ypc.).

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The Eagles were picked seventh in the GLIAC coaches preseason poll. Now they’re 3-0 and getting ready to play a team ranked second in the nation, Grand Valley State. That’s a pretty good jump, but for people on the outside looking in, Ashland wasn’t a “hot,” team to pick for a move forward in the standings.

“We had to expect that,” said wide receiver Dalorean White of the middle-of-the-road preseason pick. “But that kind of made us work harder this summer. We felt we had to prove something to somebody. We have a good team.”