Oilers Blast #24 Hillsdale
The University of Findlay football team captured a 42-17 victory at home on homecoming over Hillsdale College on Saturday, October 3 in Donnell Stadium. The win gives the Oilers a 5-1 record on the season with a 4-1 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers offense showed up big by producing 550 total offensive yards and 6 touchdowns. Leading the charge was senior quarterback Andrew Beam who was 21-28 for 312 passing yards and two touchdowns. With 312 passing yards that is the most Findlay has had since November 8th when Billy Noonan threw for 364 yards against Ashland University. He completed passes to six different receivers among which was senior Mike Chambers who caught six balls for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Dustin Zielaskiewicz had seven catches for 98 yards and a score. He also had a touchdown pass, hitting Chambers for a 48 yard score off of a reverse.
The Oilers also got it done on the ground via freshman running back Monterae Williams who had 34 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Melvin Jackson also saw the endzone on five carries for 52 yards.
The Chargers struck first in the opening quarter off of a Melvin Jackson fumble. They would then score again midway through the second to take an early 14-0 lead. The Oilers would charge right back however on a two yard Williams run. They would then score again on their next possession on a one yard blast from Williams. The Chargers would add a field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 17-14 lead to the locker rooms.
The second half would be all Findlay as they would score four touchdowns and hold Hillsdale scoreless. The defense was led by senior defensive back Anthony Fields who had 12 tackles and five break-ups. Junior Bryon Rizzi and senior Joe Knopick each added 10. Senior E.J. Whitlow had four tackles, three break-ups and six quarter back hurries.
The Oilers will be back in action next week as they travel to Michigan Tech on Saturday, October 10. The game will start at 1:00 p.m.