Oilers Come Up Short At Wayne State
The University of Findlay football team fell 35-21 to Wayne State University on Saturday, September 19 in Detroit, Michigan. The loss gives the Oilers a 3-1 record on the season with a 2-1 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers found themselves down at the break by a score of 7-3 after surrendering three turnovers but their defense held strong, snatching three turnovers of their own.
In the second half, the Oilers held the Warriors on a fourth down play and then immediately took advantage of good field position as senior quarterback Andrew Beam hit senior wide receiver Mike Chambers on a 40-yard touchdown pass. The score gave the Oilers a 10-7 lead with 11:09 showing on the third quarter clock.
The lead was short-lived however as the Warriors found the end zone for a pair of scores to give them a 21-10 advantage with 3:40 left in the period.
Findlay began the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Monterae Williams with 9:24 left and then Beam hit Chambers with a two-point conversion pass, cutting the Warriors lead to three at 21-18.
The three point deficit was the closest the Oilers would get from there on out though as All-American running back Joique Bell took over and scored two touchdowns in the final 2:31 of the game for Wayne State, sandwiched between a Stevens field goal.
The Oilers, who were only giving up 40.7 yards per game on the ground heading into the contest, allowed Wayne State to rush for 383 including 289 from Bell.
The Warriors also shut down Findlay's rushing attack, limiting the Oilers to only 96 yards on the ground. Findlay came into the contest averaging 260.0 yards per game rushing.
Beam completed 18-of-36 passes for 252 yards and a score but also threw two picks.
Chambers had another great day catching the football, accumulating 185 yards on ten receptions while Williams gained 92 yards on 31 carries.
Sophomore defensive back Donte Johnson and senior linebacker Joe Knopick made seven stops apiece to lead the defense while senior defensive back Anthony Fields picked off two passes.
The Oilers will be back in action again on Saturday, September 26 when they host Northwood University at 12:00 p.m. in Donnell Stadium.