Ashley — who was also honored after a Western win at rival Eastern Kentucky Sept. 18 — joins Lerron Moore, the co-Offensive Player of the Week, and Defensive Player of the Week Deont Smith. It’s the first time this season that one school has claimed three of the league’s four weekly honors.
A 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior, Ashley graded out at 95 percent overall, with a 100 percent assignment grade and a factor grade of 97 percent in last week’s victory, which helped the Toppers to a 6-1 finish in the Gateway. The Owensboro, Ky., native recorded 16 pancake blocks, did not allow a quarterback pressure or sack, and did not commit a penalty in helping the Hilltoppers post season highs with 473 yards rushing and 535 yards of total offense. The WKU offense matched its best total of the year with 26 first downs and held the ball for 38:06 against the Leathernecks.
Behind the efforts of Ashley and the offensive line, Western has rushed for an average of 404.5 yards per contest in winning each of the last two weeks.
The Hilltoppers, who moved up to No. 3 in the Sports Network and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ polls Monday, wrap up the regular season against Florida International Saturday. Game time in Miami is set for 3 p.m. (CST).
