For as much as Ashland University wide receiver
Logan Bolin has accomplished – and for as long as he's been on campus – one would think he doesn't have anything else on the bucket list.
And that would be incorrect.
Heading into the No. 12-ranked Eagles' (9-1) NCAA Division II postseason opener on Saturday (Nov. 19) at 1 p.m. against No. T-24 Notre Dame College (9-2) at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field, Bolin not only has a chance to help Ashland go deep into the playoffs, but also become the leading receiver in terms of catches in program history.
With 177 career catches, Bolin is just six away from tying
Michael Hull (183) for the most in the 103-year history of Ashland football. Bolin also is No. 2 all-time receiving yards with 2,423, but
Joe Horn still is 258 yards away (2,681).
In addition to all the catches and yards, as well as 22 career touchdown catches, Bolin has been an Academic All-American, a two-time Academic All-District selection, and a second-team and honorable mention All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choice.
How much has Bolin enjoyed one last ride – one which has been extended at least one more game?
"I'm just having a lot of fun," he said. "I'm just happy to be here, happy to be around the guys. This is why I came back, to be around these guys and have the opportunity to play extra football. We want to keep it going."
After an injury-riddled 2021 season for Bolin, one in which the Eagles finished at 5-5, coming back to win a Great Midwest Athletic Conference title with an important mix of younger and older players with experience is something Bolin has enjoyed.
"With all the injuries that we had last year, it was almost beneficial for us to get that experience for the young guys," said Bolin. "We don't feel like there's a letdown when someone has to go in and make a play. We believe in each other."
Following Ashland's lone regular-season loss at Hillsdale, Bolin has caught more touchdown passes in the last two regular-season games (four) than he had from the 2019 season finale until the game at the Chargers (three). The connection between Bolin and senior quarterback
Austin Brenner obviously is a strong one after all these years.
"He's a great quarterback," Bolin said. "He makes my job easy for me. Personal success is an attribute of team success."
Bolin now has bragging rights in the family, as his second NCAA D-II postseason will be one more than his father,
Ray Bolin, who was a 1,000-yard rusher on Ashland's first playoff team in 1986. And the younger Bolin also had success in his first playoff run, as his eight catches against Harding in 2017 are tied for the most by an Eagle in an NCAA postseason game.
That experience will help Bolin and his fellow seniors give the younger Eagles guidance on what to expect come Saturday afternoon.
"I think they know from playing Notre Dame that they are a tough team," said Bolin, referencing the rematch factor of the 31-14 home win over the Falcons on Sept. 1. "They're going to be fired up, ready to go. It's going to be cold here, but everyone is going to be excited, and it's going to be like you are starting over a new season.
"I think everyone understands the importance of this, and the result of the first game doesn't matter coming into this one."
No matter what happens on Saturday, Bolin's name is cemented in the history of Ashland football.
"It will be something really cool to look back on, years down the road," he said. "But right now, it's a just win mentality. We all just love being here…we want to play for each other. We just want to get another win this week."
