Eagles Fall To Bulldogs In 100-Year Celebration Game

The Ashland University football program celebrated its first 100 years of play on Saturday (Sept. 11) night, but Ferris State ended up spoiling the party.
 
At Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field, the No. 2-ranked Bulldogs improved to 2-0 after a 45-19 victory over the No. RV Eagles (0-2).
 
"They're really quick. They're really athletic," said Ashland head coach Lee Owens. "You want to talk about trying to win a national championship, you have to beat that kind of team right there."
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• Ferris State's first offensive possession resulted in an 18-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jared Bernhardt, capping a 11-play, 68-yard drive which covered 6:15. The Bulldogs then used some razzle dazzle to go up 14-0, as wide receiver Marcus Taylor passed to fellow wideout Xavier Wade for an 83-yard major with 2:49 left in the opening quarter.
• The Eagles got on the board in the second quarter on the first collegiate field goal from sophomore kicker Jackson Welsch, a 23-yarder at the 10:40 mark, cutting the AU deficit to 14-3.
• Ferris State regained its two-touchdown lead with 2:56 left until halftime on a 34-yard Sy Barnett field goal, then the Bulldogs went up 24-3 early in the third quarter on an 81-yard Bernhardt scoring jaunt.
• "I've never seen a kid with that kind of quickness," Owens said of Bernhardt. "But also, the acceleration and downright speed."
• Tyler Minor's one-yard touchdown run inside of the first five minutes of the third increased FSU's lead to 31-3. Then, with 3:31 remaining in the third, Marvin Campbell went in from a yard out to extend the lead to 38-3.
• Ashland's first touchdown came as the third-quarter clock expired. Junior quarterback Austin Brenner found sophomore running back Gei'vonni Washington in the flat for a 24-yard catch-and-run, then Brenner hit junior wide receiver Malik Wooldridge with the two-point conversion for a 38-11 score.
• With 8:30 to go in the game, Brenner ran in for a seven-yard score, then found junior wide receiver Keshun Jones for the conversion to cut the deficit to 38-19.
• Evan Cummins rushed in from two yards out late in the fourth quarter for the final margin of victory.

 
NOTES

• Brenner passed for 162 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 79 yards and another score.

 
UP NEXT
Ashland will have a bye next week, then return to Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field on Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. vs. Quincy (1-1). That will be the dedication of the Bill Jarvis Equipment Room.
 
"I'm still convinced we've got a good football team," Owens said. "And we'll win a bunch of games before the season's over."