Oilers Will Host the Dragons on Saturday
The University of Findlay football team (3-1, 3-1) will host Tiffin University (1-4, 0-4) on Saturday, Oct. 6. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. inside Donnell Stadium.
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse will be providing free food to the first 750 fans that purchase a ticket to the Oilers game against Tiffin University on Saturday, Oct. 6.
The gates at Donnell Stadium will open at 10:30 a.m. for this event.
1997 UF National Championship Football Team
The 1997 NAIA National Champion Oilers football team will be honored at halftime of the game on Saturday. Come out and show your appreciation for the 1997 squad, which went 14-0 and out-scored their opponents by a 567-179 margin.
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 hold a commanding 19-1 advantage in the all-time series dating back to the 1986 campaign when Findlay defeated Tiffin by a score of 35-3.
Findlay came away with a 50-27 win against the Dragons last year in Donnell Stadium.
The Oilers got their running game going early and often as they piled up 358 yards on the ground.
Monterae Williams had 19 carries for 149 yards and two scores while Ray Ballard put up 115 yards and a score on 15 carries.
Clay Belton finished 10-of-20 through the air for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Seth White led the squad with four catches for 39 yards while Jaryd Brown and Harold Jones-Quartey each hauled in a touchdown catch.
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 3-1 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 escaped Donnell Stadium with a 43-42 double overtime win against Notre Dame (Ohio) College last weekend.
The Falcons received the ball in the second overtime and scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Ray Russ to Jack Foy on a third and nine play. McClearn came on for the extra point, but his attempt hit the post giving the Oilers a golden opportunity to win the game.
Trailing 42-36, the Oilers took their possession and capitalized when Clay Belton found Alex Kovach for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Seth White then drilled the extra point, giving the Oilers a wild 43-42 win in front of the home crowd.
Monterae Williams finished the game with 121 yards on 25 carries, scoring two touchdowns along the way.
Belton completed 21-of-32 passing attempts for 277 yards and two scores while Jaryd Brown hauled in five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
White registered five receptions for 81 yards while Brandon Butler racked up a career-high 21 tackles for the defense.
For Findlay's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link:
For Findlay's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
Tiffin Head Coach
Gary Goff enters his second year as Head Football Coach is in his second year at Tiffin and has his team off to a 1-4 start.
Goff came to the Dragons after a highly successful season at West Virginia Wesleyan. Goff, who served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wesleyan, led the team from a 2-8 season in 2009 to a 9-2 mark in 2010, tying the most wins in school history in the process. The team was ranked nationally for the first time in school history while breaking 12 offensive school records.
Prior to West Virginia Wesleyan, Goff coached at Princeton University where he was the pass game coordinator and receivers coach. He was also co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach at New Mexico State University for four seasons as well.
Goff, who has been offensive coordinator for three different teams, also served in that capacity at Iowa Wesleyan University. He also coached for two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana University, helping that squad to lead the nation in total offense.
The Dragons
The Dragons are currently 1-4 on the season with a 0-4 record in conference play.
Quarterback James Capello leads the offense with 965 passing yards and six touchdowns. His favorite target has been Obadiah Dykes, who has recorded 24 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
Bryon McCorkle leads the defense with 36 tackles.
Tiffin has lost 42 straight GLIAC contests dating back to the 2008 campaign.
For Tiffin's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link
For Tiffin's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
An Explosive Offense
The Oilers are averaging 31.8 points per game and 451.5 yards of total offense per outing. The points per game ranks tenth in the GLIAC while their yardage is the fifth best in the conference. The yardage also ranks 31st nationally.
Airing it Out
The Oilers are averaging 285.0 passing yards per game, the third best total in the GLIAC. The yardage total is also the 25th best in the nation.
Individually, senior quarterback Clay Belton ranks second in the GLIAC in passing yards per game at 279.8.
Toting the Rock
Senior running back Monterae Williams ranks fifth in the GLIAC and 36th nationally in rushing yards per game at 97.8.
As a team, the Oilers are averaging 166.5 yards per game on the ground, the tenth best mark in the GLIAC.
White Open
Junior wide receiver Seth White ranks fourth in the GLIAC in receptions per game at 5.5 and checks in fifth in receiving yards per game at 81.5.
Teammate Jaryd Brown is also amongst the league leaders in both categories, ranking fifth in receptions at 5.0 per contest and seventh in receiving yards at 69.8.
One Man Wrecking Crew
Senior quarterback Clay Belton is racking up the yardage this season and ranks third in the GLIAC in total offense at 287.8 yards per game. His total is also the 29th 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 22 catches for 326 yards and two scores, has kicked 11 extra points and three field goals and has averaged 36.3 yards per punt.
Tackling Machine
Senior linebacker Brandon Butler leads the team and the GLIAC in tackles per game at 12.5, which is also the fourth best mark in the nation.
Butler racked up a career-high 21 tackles in the Oilers 43-42 double overtime win against Notre Dame (Ohio) on Sep. 29.
Making Plays Behind the Line of Scrimmage
Senior defensive tackle Richard Sumlin is ranked eighth in the GLIAC with 5.5 tackles for a loss.
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 3,703 career yards and is only 307 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 391 yards in four games.
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 800 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 34 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 3,158 career yards in only 15 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.
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.
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 Billy 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.
Butler Earns Award
Senior linebacker Brandon Butler earned Defensive Player of the Week honors by Beyond Sports Network after making 21 tackles in the Oilers 43-42 double overtime win against Notre Dame (Ohio) on Sep. 29.
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: