For Ashland University's football team, an all-too-familiar 2026 pattern continued on Saturday (Oct. 10) afternoon at Findlay, as the Eagles lost to the No. 16-ranked Oilers, 7-6.
 
The Eagles are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. In the last four of those losses this fall, Ashland has given up 20, 17, 14 and seven points.
 
Saturday marked the first time AU has lost a game while allowing seven or fewer points since a 7-0 defeat to Findlay at home in 2006.
 
Both teams punted on their initial drive on Saturday, then the Oilers (5-1, 3-1) missed a field goal on their second possession – and the first quarter eventually ended scoreless.
 
After the two teams traded first-play interceptions early in the second period, the second being by junior linebacker Jack Talkington, the Eagles were forced to punt for the fourth time in the first half. Then, shortly after his third pick of 2026, Talkington recovered his first fumble of the fall at the Oiler 28.
 
That second Findlay turnover resulted in an 18-yard field goal from redshirt freshman kicker Nate Russell, breaking the scoreless tie at the 5:16 mark before halftime.
 
Senior safety E.J. Teah knocked down two passes as Findlay was looking to tie or take the lead at the end of the half, and Ashland's defense went into the locker room having given up 224 yards in the first 30 minutes – but no points.
 
The Eagles turned the ball over to begin the second half, but AU's defense rose up and stopped the Oilers on fourth-and-2 at Ashland's 28.
 
A third Eagle turnover on the afternoon, however, kept the score at 3-0 as the end of the third quarter approached. But the response by the Ashland defense was a third Findlay turnover – this one an interception by freshman cornerback Kayden Myers, his collegiate first.
 
Then, after allowing 294 yards and no points through three-plus quarters, the Eagles yielded a touchdown with 10:05 to go in the game when quarterback Chase Harrison found tight end Jakar Williams from a yard out.
 
On the ensuing drive, Russell's 21-yard field goal pulled Ashland to within a single point at 7-6, and there was 7:47 left on the regulation clock – but the Eagles couldn't get into position for the win at the end, save for an intentional grounding call on the last-play Hail Mary attempt.
 
Talkington ended with 10 total tackles (eight solo), the interception, the fumble recovery, a half-sack and a half-tackle for loss, and Teah had 10 total stops (six solo) and the two passes defended.
 
Ashland has lost five of its first six games in a season for the first time in 23 years.
 
The Eagles will return to the road for another Great Midwest game at noon on Oct. 17 at Thomas More (1-5, 1-3).