BLOG 17: Defense gets it done against Eagles’ prolific offense

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State senior receiver Rahseem Jones-Salaam gets his feet down near the sideline after catching a pass Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs took on Ashland University in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game at Community Stadium in Ashland, Ohio. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ferris State University’s veteran defense has been dog-tough in its first two games this fall.

While the Bulldogs were unable to duplicate the week-one defensive effort it enjoyed against Tiffin (holding the Dragons to 12 points and -3 rushing yards), it did step up against the strong offense of No. 24 Ashland University at Community Stadium Saturday afternoon in the Buckeye state. The Bulldogs held the host Eagles under control at critical stages of the game to escape Community Stadium with a 25-24 win to improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

A big part of Ferris’ 2-0 start has been the team’s defense. Saturday, senior All-American tackle Jake Visser was on his game as he totaled 12 total tackles, one sack, recorded a tackle for a loss and collected a fumble recovery. But, Visser had plenty of help as senior linebacker Jordan Moore tallied a team-high 14 tackles that included two tackles for losses. Senior linebacker Kevin Noe, the man credited with the big block of a game-winning field goal attempt by the Eagles with time running out, finished with nine total tackles, one tackle for loss and had a pass breakup.

“It was good to see our team come out and compete the way it did going against a team with the offense the caliber of the one we faced (against Ashland),” Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce said. “(Ashland) is a team that has a lot of offensive firepower and I really thought our guys stepped up to that challenge and made some big-time football plays to help us come out of this stadium with a win over a very good football team.”

Ferris needed to be tough against an Ashland team (0-2, 0-1) that was led by standout quarterback Billy Cundiff, who completed 19-of-37 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked three times in the contest. But Cundiff, one of the best quarterbacks in the GLIAC, also rushed the ball nine times for 28 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Johnny Long totaled four catches for 74 yards with two touchdown grabs.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com