INDIANAPOLIS — Ashland has been selected to participate in the fourth annual America’s Crossroads Bowl on Friday, Dec. 1, in Hammond, Ind.
Ashland (8-3, 8-1) will represent the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) while McKendree (5-5, 5-2) will represent the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The annual contest that features teams from the G-MAC and the GLVC will move to Hammond Central High School from its previous home at Brickyard Stadium in Hobart. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
"We are excited for the fourth edition of the annual America's Crossroads Bowl and pleased to have the Ashland Eagles represent the G-MAC this year," said Commissioner Tom Daeger. "Coach Geiser and the Eagles have had another outstanding season and we look forward to them experiencing this amazing bowl-game atmosphere the SSCVA has provided our previous three institutions at the event. Our thank you to the community of Hammond, the SSCVA, and all of the tremendous supporters that have made this bowl game a possibility."
The Eagles finished second in the Great Midwest standings under first-year head coach Doug Geiser, ending the 2023 regular season on a seven game win streak.
Ashland is headlined by its offense which ranks second in the league averaging 31 points per game. On the ground, senior Larry Martin leads the charge averaging 82.09 yards per game, the second best mark in the G-MAC and has accounted for 13 touchdowns this season. Through the air, quarterback Trevor Bycznski and receiver Dezmin Lyburtus make quite the pair. Bycznski leads the league in total passing yards (2,289) and touchdowns (23). The junior is also one of the more efficient passers, throwing just four interceptions in 303 attempts which is tied for lowest in the G-MAC. On the receiving end, Lyburtus leads the G-MAC in almost every major statistical category totaling 780 yards over 66 receptions and 10 touchdowns. He also leads the league in kick returns, averaging 27.7 yards per return.
The America’s Crossroads Bowl is one of three NCAA Division II bowl games sponsored nationally and is conducted in partnership with the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority and the City of Hammond.