Oilers Come From Behind, Hang on for 35-31 Win at Lake Erie
The University of Findlay football team captured their third straight win, claiming a 35-31 victory over Lake Erie College on Saturday, October 22 in Painesville, Ohio. The win gives the Oilers a 5-3 record on the season with a 5-2 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers jumped out to a 20-14 lead at the break on the strength of three rushing touchdowns from junior Monterae Williams, but the Storm rallied back to gain a 21-20 advantage after scoring on their first possession of the third quarter.
Down by one, the Oilers marched down the field on the ensuing possession and found the end zone as Williams crossed the goal line for the fourth time on the day. The score, and two-point conversion, gave the Oilers a 28-21 lead with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter.
The Storm tied the game at 28-28 on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Sean Bedevelsky to Brandon James during the first play of the fourth period and retook the lead with a 36-yard field goal.
Down by three at 31-28 with 4:57 remaining in the contest, the Oilers drove the ball down the field and scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Clay Belton to sophomore tight end Jaryd Brown. The extra point attempt was blocked and returned for two points, but an inadvertent whistle nullified the play allowing the Oilers to tack on the point-after-attempt.
Leading 35-31 with 45 seconds left in the game, the Oilers defense went into a bend, but don't break mode, eventually getting an interception by sophomore defensive back Jamon McClain in the corner of the end zone with only two remaining in the contest.
Williams ended the game with 175 yards on 31 carries, scoring four touchdowns along the way.
Belton completed 18-of-28 passes for 212 yards and a score while Brown recorded six catches for 73 yards and a score.
Sophomore wide receiver Seth White added six catches for 66 yards while senior defensive back Isaiah Ballard led the defense with ten tackles.
The Oilers will be back in action again next Saturday when they travel to Ashland, Ohio to face Ashland University at 1 pm.