November 23rd, 2024 3:00pm
After a missed extra point earlier in the game, junior kicker A.J. Rhodes' 37-yard field goal as time expired gave the No. RV Ashland University football team (9-3) a 40-38 win at No. 6 Charleston (11-1) on Saturday (Nov. 23) afternoon.
The Eagles' fourth all-time NCAA Division II playoff win, and ninth win in the last 10 games overall, came following the sixth and final lead change of the afternoon.
Ashland quickly took advantage of a fumble recovery by sophomore linebacker Ben Holzopfel on the game's first drive, as senior quarterback Trevor Bycznski found senior wide receiver Tony Pannunzio for a 41-yard touchdown pass on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage.
Charleston was stopped on fourth-and-1 at the AU 33, and then the Eagles went down the field. Rhodes' first 37-yard field goal put Ashland up 10-0 after the game's first 11:17.
Early in the second quarter, Charleston took points off the board after an Eagle holding call on a made field goal. The Golden Eagles got on the board thanks to a one-yard TD run by fullback Niko Kausky.
Leading 10-7 and with Charleston driving, Ashland forced another turnover, a fumble which was recovered by sophomore safety E.J. Teah at the Eagle 2. The Golden Eagles, however, got the ball back and took the lead at 14-10 late in the first half when quarterback Ean Hamric connected with wide receiver Yves Bosmans on a 41-yard scoring strike.
When running back Chavon Wright went in on a two-yard scoring run with 9:51 to go in the third quarter, Charleston boasted a 21-10 lead.
The Eagles came back and cut the deficit to 21-17 after Bycznski went in from a yard out. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Bycznski threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Brock Henne to put Ashland ahead, 24-21.