Harding’s rushing attack to provide test to Ashland

Zach Shelley has experienced two sides of an effective ground game.

As a go-to running back for Parish Episcopal School in Farmers Branch, Texas, Shelley rushed for 7,642 career yards and scored 108 touchdowns. For Harding University, Shelley’s opportunities have been limited.

“I had to get used to it,” said Shelley, a 5-7, 190-pound senior. “In high school I was the featured back. I would get 25 and maybe 30 reps a game. It’s a big difference from what I was used to, but we’re playing well and I’m all for it.”

Harding (9-3) will continue its NCAA Division II playoff run today. The Bisons, the No. 7 seed from Super Region 3, play at Ashland (Ohio) (111) for a second-round game.

Shelley has 98 carries for 744 yards and 5 touchdowns this season and is 1 of 4 Harding backs to rush for at least 700 yards this season. Shelley averages 8.8 yards per carry for his career, which is the highest among active players at any level in the NCAA with a minimum of 2,000 yards). Shelley ranks fourth at Harding in career rushing yards (2,555) and fifth in career rushing touchdowns (22).

Thanks to their Triple-Option attack, the Bisons lead all Division II teams in rushing (355.8 yards a game), although no one Harding player has topped the 1,000-yard mark. Ashland, the region’s No. 3 seed and No. 9 team in NCAA Division II, may provide the Bisons with their most demanding task of the season. The Eagles limited defending national champion Northwest Missouri State to 42 rushing yards on 33 carries in last week’s 21-18 first-round contest. Ashland has held three teams to less than 50 yards rushing this season and no opponent has gained more than 184 yards against the Eagles in the last 11 games.

“They’re big and powerful,” Harding Coach Paul Simmons said. “They’ve got size on both the offensive and defensive lines. They are just powerful guys who get after it.”

Offensively, the Eagles have a multitude of weapons, leading with senior quarterback Travis Tarnowski, who has thrown for 2,756 yards and 28 touchdowns. Tarnowski, 5-11, 218, is Ashland’s all-time leading passer with 11,033 career yards.

“He’s dynamic,” Simmons said. “He’s smart with his feet and very accurate with his arm.”

Junior running back Andrew Vaughn, 5-11, 222, has rushed for 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Matthew Wilcox has caught a team-high 37 passes for 707 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wilcox is one of seven Ashland players with 240 yards or more receiving yards.

Defensively, the Eagles are allowing 14.9 points and 284.8 yards a game.

Ashland is 24th in the country in rushing defense, allowing only 111.3 yards a game, but stopping Harding’s rushing game may be the Eagles’ biggest assignment of the season.

“Our kids’ confidence is through the roof right now,” Simmons said.

“What motivates us is that we’re trying to do the best job we can for the guy who’s playing next to us,” Shelley said. “Ashland is a very tough team, but we think we have an advantage because of the style of offense we play. It’s hard for any team to play against the Triple Option when you only have one week to prepare for it.”