The Notebook: Experience Factor Not on AU’s Side
September 17, 2005

The Ashland University football team certainly opened some eyes with its play Saturday (Sept. 17) in a 14-10 loss to Grand Valley State. Any questions about the defense were answered – the Eagles shut down a unit that can score from anywhere on the field at anytime.

But as AU head coach Lee Owens pointed out, as a whole, the Eagles hadn’t been in game like this before. AU needed to make critical plays late in the fourth quarter and that didn’t happen.

“It was real frustrating,” said Owens, summarizing the outcome. “We had good ball control, moved the chains and stayed in it until the end. We just didn’t make a play at the end.”

The hope on the Ashland sideline is that the Eagles will be in these type of games more often. The experience that comes in those games should harden the Eagles’ resolve. What AU fans can’t overlook is the rate of improvement the program has made to get to this point. In the two years before Owens arrived the Eagles endured consecutive 2-9 finishes.

Now comes another test – bouncing back from this loss to take on a strong Michigan Tech team. MTU has beaten the Eagles four consecutive times.

Owens hopes the Eagles got some confidence from the Grand Valley State game and that’s a foundation to build upon.

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Tailback Jason Schwalm led all players in the game with 74 yards on 20 carries. Schwalm had rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two games – against Ferris State and Gannon. Sophomore wide receiver David Ziegelhofer tied his career high for receptions with seven catches against GVSU. Last year, Ziegelhofer had seven catches at Northern Michigan.

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Linebacker Jeremy Crabtree followed up last week’s strong effort with another good showing. Crabtree had four tackles (three solo), two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

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Rock Lewis has two touchdowns this season and both have come on special teams. A wide receiver by trade, Lewis scored on an 8-yard fumble recovery at Ferris State. In that instance, he scooped up a ball fumbled by the FSU punter and scampered into the end zone. Against Grand Valley State, Lewis tracked downed the ball after a Devin Conwell blocked and went into the end zone for AU’s lone touchdown.

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The crowd on Saturday at Community Stadium was 4,700. Even though it rained for a good part of Saturday afternoon, AU was able to hold the Second Annual “Hogs and Eagles Night,” as well as the post-game fireworks show.