BIG RAPIDS - There will be a lot of pressure on Ashland University coming into Ferris State University for this week-two contest - the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
The Eagles are coming in off a 10-7 loss to Bloomsburg (Pa.) in last week's battle of nationally-ranked teams. Ferris, meanwhile is back on its home turf, one week after doing what was expected in knocking off Tiffin by a score of 34-14.
Ashland is eager to avoid falling to 0-2 on the season as it did after opening the season with losses to Bloomsburg and Ferris.
The Eagles are hopeful history will not repeat itself on Saturday at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids when the two teams play under the lights.
"We haven't lost anything in terms of our playoff hopes," said Ashland head coach Lee Owens, who was quoted by the Ashland Times-Gazette. "I think Bloomsburg's a team that's going to win a lot of games; our strength of schedule will be strong. We haven't lost anything in terms of our conference hopes and goals. ... So, as far as the goals that we've had for the season, I don't think they've been impacted at all."
This is true, Ashland still has a lot to play for since it has not played its first conference game. Last year, the Eagles opened 0-2 and eventually made it to the playoffs. But, the GLIAC might be stronger this year with Saginaw Valley suddenly looking a lot tougher and Wayne State looking like it could give some teams something to think about.
Ashland expects Billy Cundiff, one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, to bounce back and have a good performance against the Bulldogs. He and those talented receivers (like Joe Horn) the Eagles have surely will test Ferris' secondary and the Bulldogs' ability to get into the offensive backfield to disrupt Cundiff's rhythm and hold down Dawon Harvey and that running game.
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