Oilers, Huskies to Put Unbeaten Records on the Line
The University of Findlay football team (2-0, 2-0) will head to Houghton, Mich. on Saturday, Sep. 22 to battle Michigan Technological University (2-0, 2-0). The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Sights and Sounds
All Oilers football games can be heard on 88.3 FM "WLFC" or on the internet via their web site.
You can listen to the broadcast by clicking on the following link:
The University of Findlay will also broadcast all of their home football games on the internet. You can watch the games live by clicking on the following link:
UF athletics will also offer live stats for all home games. A link to this process can be retrieved by clicking on the live stats window located on the left side of the Oilers athletic website.
The Series
The Oilers currently trail 5-3 in the all-time series against the Huskies dating back to the 2000 season when Michigan Tech rolled to a 34-0 victory.
The two programs last met in 2009 as the Oilers claimed a 14-5 win in Houghton, Mich.
Battling snowy and windy conditions, the Oilers defense came up with big play after big play to secure the victory as they only allowed 263 total yards.
Melvin Jackson led the offense with 73 yards on 13 carries while Monterae Williams tallied 57 yards on 17 carries.
Andrew Beam threw for 71 yards and rushed for 71 yards and two scores while Dustin Zielaskiewicz made two catches for 35 yards.
Defensively, Joe Knopick had 13 tackles while Brandon Butler made eight stops.
Head Coach Rob Keys
Rob Keys is currently in his second season as the head coach of the Oilers football team and his squad off to a 2-0 start.
Last year, Keys guided the Oilers to a 6-5 record, which included a 6-4 mark in GLIAC play. The record represented a five-win upgrade from the 2010 campaign when the Oilers crawled to a 1-10 mark.
Keys was previously the co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for the Oilers from 2000-04.
In 2010, Keys served as the defensive backs coach at the University of New Hampshire. He helped coach the team to an 8-5 record in 2010 and a spot in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Playoffs. The Wildcats, who were ranked #10 in the nation, were then upended by the #5 University of Delaware Blue Hens 16-3 in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Before his time with the Wildcats, Keys spent four years as the special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach at Slippery Rock University (2006-10).
Prior to his work at Slippery Rock, Keys served one season as the safeties coach and special teams coordinator at Indiana State University (2005) after his five-year run at Findlay.
Keys also spent three seasons coaching at his alma mater, West Virginia University, coaching running backs, special teams, tight ends, tackles, quarterbacks and wide receivers.
As a player at West Virginia, Keys was a two-year letter winner and a 1995 team co-captain. He won the Mountaineer Club Award twice (1994-95), the highest honor a West Virginia player can receive. He was also given the Scott Shirley Award for the special teams MVP in 1995 and participated in the USF&G Sugar Bowl and Carquest Bowl during his tenure as a player.
Keys graduated from West Virginia in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and then later earned his master's degree in the same field in 1998 from WVU as well.
He also obtained a post-graduate degree from the Marine Military Academy (Harlingen, Texas).
Coach Keys and his wife, Jenifer, are the parents of three daughters, Katie, Casey and Kaylee.
For Findlay's 2012 coaching staff, please click on the following link:
The Oilers
The Oilers defeated #10 Saginaw Valley State last weekend by a score of 29-27 on the road to improve to 2-0 on the year.
Clay Belton completed 32-of-42 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns as his passing yardage was the second highest single game total in school history. His 32 pass completions were good enough however to establish a new school record.
Monterae Williams gained 131 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries while Seth White caught seven passes for 103 yards and a score.
Jaryd Brown added a team-high eight receptions for 80 yards and a score while Nathan Morris and Lloyd Henry had 61 and 59 yards receiving, respectively.
Jamon McClain had nine tackles to lead the defense while Kenny Klatt and Brandon Butler contributed seven stops apiece.
The Oilers racked up 518 yards of total offense on 83 plays and gained 30 first downs in the victory. They also possessed the ball for 39:36 and converted 6-of-14 third down conversions during the game.
For Findlay's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link:
For Findlay's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
Michigan Tech Head Coach
Tom Kearly is in his seventh season as head football coach at Michigan Tech in 2012 after compiling 37 wins in his first six years at the helm of the program. Kearly, who began his stint at Tech in 2000 as associate head coach and offensive coordinator, has built the Huskies into one of the top teams perennially in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The veteran football coach with more than 30 years experience has helped the Huskies compile a 70-53 record since joining the staff 12 years ago. The Huskies' offense has flourished under his leadership, averaging nearly 30 points per game and producing 24, first team all-conference players.
Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, Kearly spent 19 seasons at NCAA Division I Central Michigan, including the last six as associate head coach and last nine as offensive coordinator. His 1996 offense set a then-MAC record for total offense with an average of 477 yards per game.
Kearly began his coaching career as a student assistant at Winona State in 1979. He spent the 1980 season as defensive secondary coach at Michigan Tech before moving to CMU as a graduate assistant working with the secondary. He became a full-time assistant coach for the Chippewas in 1983, coaching outside linebackers. In 1987, Kearly moved to the offensive side of the ball, working with the offensive backfield. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1991.
The Huskies
The Huskies are off to a 2-0 start on the season and are averaging 40.5 points per game while giving up only 11.0 points per outing.
The Huskies are balanced on offense as they are rushing for 206.5 yards and passing for 203.5 yards per game.
Defensively the Huskies have proven tough to run on and are only allowing 31.5 yards on the ground.
They have been dominant in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents by a 35-0 margin.
For Michigan Tech's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link
For Michigan Tech's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
An Explosive Offense
The Oilers are averaging 37.0 points per game and 520.0 yards of total offense per outing. The points per game ranks seventh in the GLIAC while their yardage is the second best in the GLIAC and the eighth best in all of NCAA Division II football.
Defense Wins Championships
The Oilers are allowing only 18.5 points per game this season, the fourth best total in the GLIAC.
Airing it Out
The Oilers are averaging 322.0 passing yards per game, the best total in the GLIAC. The yardage total is also the 15th best in the nation.
Individually, senior quarterback Clay Belton ranks first in the GLIAC in passing yards per game at 311.5.
Moving the Chains
The Oilers are converting third downs on a 53.6 percent success clip, the second best total in the GLIAC.
Toting the Rock
Senior running back Monterae Williams ranks third in the GLIAC in rushing yards per game at 109.0.
As a team, the Oilers are averaging 198.0 yards per game on the ground, the sixth best mark in the GLIAC and the 30th best total in the nation.
White Open
Junior wide receiver Seth White ranks third in the GLIAC in receiving yards per game at 94.0 and fifth in receptions per game at 5.5.
Teammate Jaryd Brown checks in fourth with 76.5 yards per outing and is ranked third in the league in receptions per game at 6.0.
One Man Wrecking Crew
Senior quarterback Clay Belton is racking up the yardage this season and ranks second in the GLIAC in total offense at 325.5 yards per game. His total is also the 17th best mark in the nation.
Doing it All
Junior wide receiver Seth White is a jack of all trades for the Oilers football team, serving as a receiver, kicker and punter.
This season, White has 11 catches for 188 yards and a score, has kicked seven extra points and two field goals and has averaged 26.2 yards per punt.
Protecting the Quarterback
The Oilers offensive line has been a big part of their success on offense thus far as they are helping pave the way for 520.0 yards per game. They have also not allowed a quarterback sack in two games as Findlay's offense is throwing for 322.0 yards per outing.
Tackling Machines
Senior linebacker Brandon Butler and junior defensive back Jamon McClain lead the Oilers defense with 7.5 tackles per game, the 21st best mark in the GLIAC.
Piling Up Yards
Senior running back Monterae Williams will have the opportunity to break the school record for career rushing yards during his final season with the Oilers.
Williams, who ranks second all-time at UF in rushing yardage, has rushed for 3,530 career yards and is only 480 yards shy of eclipsing the record of 4,009, which was set by former standout Nelson Bolden. Bolden achieved the rushing yardage total from 1977-80, helping the Oilers capture the 1979 NAIA National Championship in the process.
The Canton, Ohio native rushed for 937 yards and six touchdowns during his first season in 2009. For his performance, he was tabbed the GLIAC Freshman of the Year as well as second team all-conference.
In his sophomore season, Williams earned honorable mention all-conference accolades with 1,107 rushing yards and four scores. He then followed with 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns last year as a junior. His performance on the field earned him first team all-conference honors.
This season, Williams has rushed for 218 yards in two games.
GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week
Senior quarterback Clay Belton was tabbed the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, Sep. 17 for his performance in the Oilers 29-27 victory at #10 Saginaw Valley State University.
Belton completed a school record 32-of-42 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. His yardage total was also the second best mark in school history and he also added 16 yards rushing in the Oilers comeback win.
The Dayton, Ohio native completed 9-of-11 passes for 74 yards on the Oilers final drive, which ended in a 25-yard field goal by junior Seth White.
GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Junior wide receiver Seth White was named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his role in the Oilers 29-27 win at #10 Saginaw Valley State on Sep. 15.
White racked up 103 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven catches. He also kicked two extra points, had one punt for 19 yards and kicked the game-winning field goal from 25 yards out with only ten seconds to play.
A Workhorse of a Back
Senior running back Monterae Williams has racked up the carries during his career at Findlay and is currently ranked second all-time in rushing attempts.
During his career, Williams has carried the ball 764 times and trails Nelson Boldon's 958 attempts in the record books. He set his record from 1997-80 as the Oilers primary back in their wishbone formation.
Williams is also looking to become the first Oilers back in history to lead the team in rushing four straight seasons.
Finding the End Zone
Senior running back Monterae Williams has scored 32 touchdowns during his career, the sixth best mark in the history of Findlay football. He is chasing Dana Wright (1984-86) for fifth place in the record book as Wright scored 35 touchdowns during his career with the Oilers.
Nelson Boldon (1977-80) is the all-time leader in career touchdowns with 62.
Belton Keeping Pace
Senior quarterback Clay Belton has thrown for 2,662 career yards in only 13 games for the Oilers and is chasing DeMya Wimberly (1989-92) for fifth place all-time.
Wimberly, who won a national championship in 1992, threw for 3,430 career yards during his tenure with the Oilers.
Bo Hurley (1994-97) is the all-time leader in career passing yards at Findlay with 4,835.
Getting Votes
The Oilers received five votes in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, which was released on Monday, Sep. 17. A total of seven teams from the GLIAC are either ranked or received votes in the latest poll.
Setting School Records
Senior quarterback Clay Belton set a new school record in the Oilers 29-27 win at #10 Saginaw Valley State on Sep. 15 by completing 32 passes. Belton finished the game by going 32-of-42 for 335 yards and two scores.
Belton's 32 completions eclipsed the record of 28, which was held by Kevin Crooks and Billyn Noonan.
Crooks had 28 completions against Northwood in 2004 while Noonan completed 28 against Ashland in 2008.
His 335 yards passing was also the second best total in school history while his 42 attempts ranks fourth.
Offensive Line Honored
The Oilers offensive line was named the Offensive Line of the Week by Beyond Sports Network after enabling the Oilers to rack up 518 yards of total offense in their 29-27 win at #10 Saginaw Valley State on Sep. 15.
Senior Captains
Seniors Monteae Williams, Brandon Butler, Clay Belton and Richard Sumlin were each elected to serve as captains this season by the Oilers.
Preseason Honors
Eight student-athletes from the Oilers football team earned preseason honors from Ohio College Football as the organization released their FCS/NCAA Division II all-Ohio teams on Friday, Aug. 17.
Senior running back Monterae Williams, junior tight end Jaryd Brown and senior center Scott Dearwester each earned first team honors on the offensive side of the ball while senior defensive tackle Richard Sumlin and senior linebacker Brandon Butler were tabbed first team on defense.
Williams was also tabbed the preseason favorite for Offensive Player of the Year, an award he captured last season.
Junior wide receiver Seth White earned second team honors on offense and as a punter as well while junior offensive lineman Justin Music and junior linebacker Kenny Klatt were also second team selections at their respective positions.
Preseason GLIAC Poll
The Oilers football team was picked to finish third in the South Division of the GLIAC as the league office unveiled their annual preseason poll on Aug. 15.
The Oilers received 97 points in the poll, which included one first place vote. Ashland University was picked as the favorite to win the division and received 113 points and ten first place votes.
Ohio Dominican was picked one spot ahead of the Oilers in the poll as they received 108 points to go along with five first place votes.
Grand Valley State University is the favorite in the North Division as the Lakers received 108 points and six first place votes. National runner-up Wayne State University was second, receiving 99 points and four first place votes.
The Oilers finished last season with a 6-5 record, which included a 6-4 mark in the GLIAC. Their record was a five-game improvement from the 2010 campaign, when they finished 1-10.
Links
For complete NCAA Division II football statistics, please click on the following link:
For information about the American Football Coaches Association, please click on the following link:
For more information about NCAA Division II football, please click on the following link:
For more information on the GLIAC, please click on the following link: