Big 3rd Quarter Propels Findlay Past Tiffin

The University of Findlay football team remained undefeated after thumping Tiffin University 35-13 on Thursday, September 3 at Frost Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin, Ohio. The victory gives the Oilers a 2-0 record on the season with a 1-0 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

Junior kicker Cameron Stevens gave Findlay a 3-0 lead with 2:59 remaining in the first quarter when he connected on a 40-yard field goal which was followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Monterea Williams with 12:28 remaining in the half.

Williams' touchdown run was setup by a 57-yard pass from junior wide receiver Dustin Zielaskiewicz to senior wide receiver Mike Chambers.

Zielaskiewicz has now thrown three passes in his career, all completed, for 128 yards.

Leading 10-0, Tiffin got on the board with a 17-yard pass play but the Dragons extra point attempt was blocked by red-shirt freshman running back Demetrius Trapps. Stevens then booted a 35-yard field goal with 1:26 left in the second period to make the score 13-6 in favor of the Oilers at halftime.

In the beginning of the third quarter, Trapps was back to return the kick-off but his knee hit the ground as he caught the kick forcing Findlay to open their possession from their own 1-yard line. The field position did not matter however as the Oilers marched 99 yards down the field for a score, coming in the form of a 15-yard scamper from Trapps.

Leading 20-6, Chambers broke lose on a short pass play and raced down the field for a 57-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Andrew Beam which was followed by a two-point conversion run by Zielaskiewicz after a botched snap. The score gave the Oilers a 28-6 advantage with 9:27 left in the third quarter.

Williams would then add another touchdown, this time on a 3-yard run with 5:27 left in the third before the Dragons added a late touchdown for the final score of the game.

As a team, the Oilers racked up 215 yards on the ground and held the Dragons to only 58 yards rushing. The Oilers also passed for 236 yards but allowed Tiffin to gain 272 through the air.

Overall, Findlay out-gained Tiffin 451-330 while their defense forced the Dragons into three turnovers.

Williams gained 144 yards rushing on 21 carries while Trapps racked up 57 yards on eight carries before leaving the game with an injury.

Chambers had a stellar game catching the ball as he accumulated 180 yards receiving on seven catches.

Beam had another efficient game as he completed 12-of-16 passes for 179 yards and a score.

Defensively, senior defensive back Anthony Fields, sophomore defensive back Ikechi Emeaghara, senior linebacker John Williams and senior defensive lineman E.J. Whitlow led the team with six tackles apiece.

Fields picked off one pass while Emeaghara made two tackles for a loss. Williams meanwhile recorded 2.5 sacks.

Sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Cornell lived in the Dragons backfield, making four stops in the game, all behind the line of scrimmage. He finished the contest with two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

The Oilers will be back in action again on Saturday, September 12 when they host Ferris State University at 12:00 p.m. in Donnell Stadium.