Eagle Football Releases 2024 Schedule, Takes Eight-Game Win Streak Into New Season

In addition to looking forward to the new student-athletes who will become Ashland University football players starting in the fall of 2024, it's tradition to look ahead to the match-ups a new season will bring, as well.
 
The 2024 Eagle football schedule was revealed on Wednesday (Feb. 7) afternoon, and will feature 11 regular-season games – five of which will be at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field.

"The 2024 season schedule will present one of the biggest challenges in Ashland history," said second-year head coach Doug Geiser. "Once again, we'll open right out of the chute with two nationally-ranked opponents in IUP and Ferris State. We then will follow that up with a trip to Hillsdale to play for the Traveling Trophy, After, we'll play Tiffin, Ohio Dominican, and Findlay in rapid succession - they have all won a G-MAC title (or titles) in the past seven years.

"So, we'll have to be firing on all cylinders right from week one of the season. That definitely puts a sense of urgency and importance in our off-season preparation. Our guys are excited for the challenge, without a doubt."
  
Two of Ashland's opponents are coming off 2023 NCAA Division II postseason appearances – at Ferris State on Sept. 14, and at home vs. Tiffin on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.
 
The new season will start with a Thursday-night home game against Indiana, Pa., on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Back-to-back road games follow – at the Bulldogs, then at Hillsdale on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. to open up Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.
 
After the home game with the Dragons, Ashland will play its 100^th Homecoming game on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. vs. Ohio Dominican.
 
Two more road games follow at Findlay on Oct. 12 and at Thomas More on Oct. 19, then the Eagles will play host to Northwood on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.
 
Ashland will close out the 2024 regular season in November with road games against Lake Erie on Nov. 2 and Walsh on Nov. 9 at noon, then Senior Day will be Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. vs. Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
In 2023, Ashland's 2024 opponents combined for a 60-62 record (.492).
 
With an eight-game winning streak to finish the season, the Eagles ended 2023 at 9-3 overall and 8-1 in the Great Midwest. The win streak is the program's longest since 2017 (11 games), and it will be the second-longest in D-II when the 2024 season begins – behind only 2023 national champion Harding (19 in a row).

Prior to the 2024 regular season, however, will be the 2024 spring practice schedule.

"We'll start the spring practice portion of our schedule on Thursday, March 14, and conclude with the annual spring game on Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.," Geiser said. "During this time, we'll also hold the annual Fred Martinelli FB Clinic on Saturday, March 23, in conjunction with an a.m. practice. Further, we'll hold a Junior Day for future eagles on Saturday, April 13, in concert with our second spring scrimmage. Details for these upcoming events will be posted on the football web site as we get closer to those dates.

"Spring practice will be especially vital this year, as we prepare for one of the most challenging fall schedules in school history."
 

DAY/DATE	OPPONENT	TIME
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5	IUP	7 P.M.
Saturday, Sept. 14	at Ferris State	TBA
Saturday, Sept. 21	at Hillsdale*	1 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28	TIFFIN*	1 P.M.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5	OHIO DOMINICAN (HOMECOMING)*	1 P.M.
Saturday, Oct. 12	at Findlay*	TBA
Saturday, Oct. 19	at Thomas More*	TBA
SATURDAY, OCT. 26	NORTHWOOD*	1 P.M.
Saturday, Nov. 2	at Lake Erie*	TBA
Saturday, Nov. 9	at Walsh*	Noon
SATURDAY NOV. 16	KENTUCKY WESLEYAN*	1 P.M.

 
HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS
* - Denotes Great Midwest Athletic Conference games