He joins Charles Thompson, who was named the Gateway Defensive Player of the Week Sunday.
It’s the fourth time in three-plus seasons that the GFC has given the award to Ashley, although it marks the first occasion he has collected the honor since Oct. 19, 2002.
Ashley — a 6-foot-4, 300-pound native of Owensboro, Ky. — graded out at 95 percent following the Hilltoppers’ victory over instate rival Eastern Kentucky, as his efforts helped Western post 328 total yards while averaging 5.3 yards per play. The senior was credited with 13 pancake blocks and a 95 percent factor grade after holding preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference selection Chad Dewberry to just three tackles (two assists) while not allowing a sack.
Thompson, who posted a career-high 18 tackles with 2.5 stops for loss in the EKU victory, was also named the national Defensive Player of the Week by CSTV: College Sports Television. It’s the third national accolade in two days for the 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior from Louisville, Ky., as he was recognized by both The Sports Network and I-AA.org Monday. The Topper defense allowed just 260 total yards (146 until the Colonels’ final two drives) while forcing seven turnovers.
Thompson moved into eighth place in the school record books with 347 career tackles following his performance.
Sixth-ranked WKU (2-1) will take on Florida International (1-0) in Miami Saturday to close out its non-conference slate, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. (CST).
