FOOTBALL: Defense Put To The Test By Ashland's Powerful Offense

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University's defense was put to the test early and often by the powerful offense of No. 23 Ashland University.

In the end, Ashland totaled 531 yards of total offense as All-American quarterback Billy Cundiff completed 14-of-20 passes for 303 yards with three touchdowns. On the ground, D'Marris McCoy carried the football 19 times for 111 yards with two touchdowns as the Eagles rolled to a 44-23 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win.

From a time of possession standpoint, Ashland had an edge of 33:05 to 26:55 for Ferris. But, in the second half, the ability of the Eagles to run the football led to Ashland having the football for 9:37 of 15 minutes in the third quarter and 10:15 of 15 minutes in the fourth.

How dominant was Ashland's run game in the second half? The Eagles had 28 rushing yards at halftime, but ended up with 228 for the game. That ability to run the football kept Ashland's offense on the field, Ferris' offense off of it and helped to wear down the Bulldogs' defense.

Photo taken by Ed Hyde