November 22nd, 2025 8:15pm
From Ashland sports information:
The No. 18-ranked Ashland University football team opened the NCAA Division II postseason at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field on Saturday (Nov. 22) afternoon, and defeated No. 7 Minnesota Duluth, 32-7.
"I thought it was a tremendous job by the coaches, all three phases," said Ashland head coach Doug Geiser. "A tremendous job of the players executing that game plan. That is a very, very explosive offense. And for our defense to hold them for seven like that, that's a tremendous, tremendous job."
Ashland (10-2) now moves on to the NCAA second round for a game on Nov. 29 at No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Ferris State (12-0).
The Bulldogs (10-2) came into Saturday's game averaging 40.3 points and 432.9 yards per game in 2025, and finished Saturday with seven points and 247 yards – kept in check by the Eagles' defensive coordinator's charges.
"Tim is amazing," Geiser said. "There's nothing he hasn't seen. There's a lot of continuity on our staff, as well. Those guys have been on the same page for a number of years.
"No, nothing that Tim does surprises me at all."
Duluth took the opening drive, following a lengthy kickoff return, and went up 7-0 just 3:23 in when quarterback Kyle Walljasper snuck in from three yards out.
Ashland's response came on its first possession, in the form of a 23-yard field goal from redshirt freshman kicker Manaki Watanabe. The Eagles then took the lead early in the second period when senior quarterback Cameron Blair found senior wide receiver Jent Joseph for a three-yard score and a 10-7 advantage.
Another Blair three-yard TD, this one on the ground, lifted Ashland to a 17-7 lead with 9½ minutes left until halftime. Sophomore right tackle Nico Traczyk blocked a Bulldog field goal (AU's ninth blocked kick of the year) to keep them from getting closer, and Ashland went into the half leading by 10.
Freshman tailback Chris Maloney's eight-yard scoring scamper with 8:55 to go in the third quarter lifted Ashland to a 17-point lead at 24-7. After junior safety E.J. Teah's sprawling interception gave the Eagles the ball back, then a season-long 59-yard Maloney run, Watanabe hit a 27-yard field goal for a 27-7 bulge.
To end the third quarter, redshirt freshman safety Chaz Cole picked off a pass for AU's third takeaway of the contest. That led to Watanabe's third field goal of the afternoon, a 39-yarder, for a 30-7 lead.
Senior defensive end Russell Twining ended the scoring with a safety at the 2:26 mark of the fourth quarter.
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