Bulldogs Top Oilers 23-10
The University of Findlay football team fell 23-10 on the road to Ferris State University on Saturday, October 9 in Big Rapids, Michigan. The loss gives the Oilers a 1-5 record on the season with a 1-4 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers got off to a great start as they took the opening possession 79 yards down the field, culminating in a 27-yard touchdown strike from freshman quarterback Zach Tate to senior wide receiver Dustin Zielaskiewicz.
The Bulldogs then made the score 7-6 when Tom Schneider scampered 25 yards for a score with 6:20 left in the half. The Bulldogs missed the extra point.
Leading 7-6, the Oilers took the ensuing possession and turned it into three points before the half when senior kicker Cameron Stevens converted on a 32-yard field goal with only 22 seconds remaining on the second quarter clock.
After taking a 10-6 lead into the break, the Oilers came out in the second half and gave up a 19-yard touchdown run to Schneider on the opening possession of the third quarter and later gave up a field goal to make the score 16-10 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Early in the fourth quarter junior defensive lineman Brandon Cornell recovered a Ferris State fumble at the Findlay 6-yard line after a long drive but the Oilers gave the ball right back to the Bulldogs when Tate threw an interception two plays later.
Dwayne Williams then took advantage of the miscue by the Oilers as he scored a touchdown with 10:36 remaining in the game.
Down 23-10, the Oilers received another play from their defense when freshman linebacker Kenny Klatt forced a fumble that was recovered by freshman defensive back Kalon Willis at the Findlay 28-yard line with 5:13 to play in the game.
With a chance to score quickly and get the ball back, the Oilers offense stalled, giving the Bulldogs the victory.
On offense, sophomore running back Monterae Williams registered 138 yards on 30 carries to pace the offense while Zielaskiewicz caught six passes for 77 yards and a score.
Tate finished the game 6-of-15 passing for 77 yards and the score, all completed to Zielaskiewicz.
On defense, Klatt tallied a team-high 13 tackles while freshman defensive back Jamon McClain tallied eight.
The Oilers will be back in action again on October 16 when they travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio Dominican University at 1:00 p.m.