Nationally ranked QB leads Ashland into homecoming

ASHLAND - Ashland University redshirt freshman Austin Brenner is a dual-threat quarterback, but not in the traditional sense.

Heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. homecoming contest with Northwood, Brenner leads the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athleic Conference in both completion percentage (72.3) and gross punting average (46.1). His completion percentage also is tops in NCAA Division II, and his punting average is No. 2 in the nation. 

Brenner is preparing for his third collegiate start at quarterback against Northwood.

“He’s never lost poise or composure,” coach Lee Owens said. “He’s doing a lot of things really well. He’s doing things right. He’s making plays with his feet, too.”

Combined with his punting duties, that actually makes Brenner a triple threat. He has rushed for 95 yards, a touchdown and a 6.8-yard average this season.

In their GLIAC openers last week, Ashland (1-2) took a 30-21 decision at Wayne State, while Northwood (0-3) lost at home to nationally ranked Ferris State, 53-10.

In addition to having a young quarterback, the AU offense is leaning on young receivers, as well. Sophomore wide receiver Logan Bolin was Ashland’s leading pass-catcher with five and four receptions, respectively, in the first two games, while true freshman wideout Garrett Turnbaugh led the way with four catches for 58 yards at Wayne State.

As was the case last season, Ashland’s defense in the first three games has been a team effort. Seven Eagles already have at least 10 tackles, while Ashland’s 16 tackles for loss have been spread among 10 different players.

One of the stark contrasts between Saturday's combatants is third-down offense. Ashland is second in the GLIAC at 45.5 percent, while Northwood is last at 17.5 percent. At Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field the Eagles are riding a four-game winning streak. Three of those nine previous Homecoming games on campus have been against Northwood, and all three were wins — 33-20 in 2009, 37-17 in 2010 and 45-7 in 2016.

As announced by the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Monday (Sept. 17) morning, sophomore kicker Satchel Denton is the conference’s Week 3 Special Teams Player of the Week. In the Eagles’ 30-21 win at the Warriors, Denton was 3-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points. All three field goals came in the second half, from 32, 28 and 19 yards.