Oilers Host Panthers on Homecoming
The University of Findlay football team (4-1, 4-1) will host Ohio Dominican University (3-3, 2-3) on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. inside Donnell Stadium.
Fricker's
Fricker's will be providing free food to the first 750 fans that purchase a ticket to the Oilers game against Ohio Dominican University on Saturday, Oct. 13.
The gates at Donnell Stadium will open at 1:30 p.m. for this event.
Homecoming
The Oilers and Panthers will hook up in Donnell Stadium during Homecoming for the second straight season.
For more information on Findlay's Homecoming festivities, please click below:
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 and Panthers are currently tied 1-1 in the all-time series dating back to the 2010 campaign when Ohio Dominican won 20-10 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Oilers claimed a 27-24 win over the Panthers last season in Donnell Stadium.
As a team, the Oilers were out-gained by the Panthers 451-309 as Ohio Dominican racked up 27 first downs in the game.
Monterae Williams led the offense with 111 yards on 27 carries while Clay Belton completed 12-of-20 passes for 140 yards and a score.
Isaiah Ballard led the defense with ten tackles and he also forced and recovered two fumbles in the victory, both in the fourth quarter.
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 4-1 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 rolled to a 41-17 win over Tiffin last week in Donnell Stadium.
The Oilers racked up 514 yards of total offense in the game. The offense was also very efficient on third down, converting 9-of-13 attempts and racked up a school record-tying 33 first downs in the win.
Clay Belton completed 26-of-37 passing attempts for 299 yards and three touchdowns while Monterae Williams carried the ball 25 times for 138 yards and three scores.
Williams also added four catches for 20 yards and his three scores in the game gave him 37 for his career as he passed Dana Wright (1984-86) for fifth place on the Oilers all-time career touchdown list.
Jaryd Brown recorded seven catches for 68 yards and a touchdown while Seth White had four receptions for 58 yards and a score.
Lloyd Henry added 37 yards receiving and a touchdown while Nathan Morris hauled in three catches for 66 yards.
Defensively the Oilers held the Dragons to 318 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers in the game.
Feraris Golden led the team with a career-high ten tackles while Brandon Butler made eight stops.
For Findlay's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link:
For Findlay's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
Ohio Dominican Head Coach
Bill Conley, the second head coach in the history of the Ohio Dominican football program, enters his third season guiding the Panthers. This season, Conley has his squad off to a 3-3 start.
Conley previously served as an assistant coach for legendary Ohio State University Head Coach Earle Bruce from 1984 to 1987. He then rejoined the coaching staff at OSU for a second stint, garnering national acclaim as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under Head Coaches John Cooper and Jim Tressel from 1992 to 2003.
After retiring from Ohio State in the spring of 2004, Conley served as a National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN and as a contributor and analyst for Columbus-area print and broadcast media.
The Panthers
The Panthers are currently 3-3 on the season with a 2-3 record in conference play.
Brandon Schoen leads the offense and is averaging 182.0 yards per game on the ground.
Ronnel Spates is also having some success carrying the ball as he is clicking for 47.5 yards per outing.
Mark Miller has thrown for 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns and his favorite target has been Abe Johnson, who has hauled in 22 catches for 304 yards and six scores.
Ronald McCloud has made 19 catches for 428 yards and five touchdowns too.
Justin Bell leads the defense with 53 tackles.
For Ohio Dominican's 2012 season statistics, please click on the following link
For Ohio Dominican's 2012 roster, please click on the following link:
An Explosive Offense
The Oilers are averaging 33.6 points per game and 464.0 yards of total offense per outing. The points per game ranks eighth in the GLIAC while their yardage is the fifth best mark in the conference. The yardage total also ranks 22nd nationally.
Airing it Out
The Oilers are averaging 289.0 passing yards per game, the second 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 283.6.
Toting the Rock
Senior running back Monterae Williams ranks fourth in the GLIAC and 29th nationally in rushing yards per game at 105.8.
As a team, the Oilers are averaging 175.0 yards per game on the ground, the ninth best mark in the GLIAC.
Two-Headed Monster
Junior tight end Jaryd Brown and junior wide receiver Seth White have formed a formidable passing catching duo this year. Brown is averaging 5.4 receptions and 69.4 yards per game while White is averaging 5.2 catches and 76.8 yards per contest.
Brown's reception average is the fourth best in the GLIAC while White's total ranks sixth. White's yardage total ranks sixth in the league while Brown checks in eighth in receiving yards per game.
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 292.2 yards per game. His total is also the 24th 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 26 catches for 384 yards and three scores, has kicked 15 extra points and three field goals and has averaged 35.3 yards per punt.
Tackling Machine
Senior linebacker Brandon Butler leads the team and the GLIAC in tackles per game at 11.6, which is also the tenth best mark in the nation.
Making Plays Behind the Line of Scrimmage
Senior defensive tackle Richard Sumlin is ranked eighth in the GLIAC with 6.5 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 3,841 career yards and is only 169 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 529 yards in five 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 825 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 37 touchdowns during his career, the fifth best mark in the history of Findlay football. He is chasing Jamie Horn (1987-90) for fourth place in the record book as Horn scored 40touchdowns 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 3,457 career yards in only 16 games for the Oilers and is chasing Ken DePriest (1983-87) for third place all-time.
DePriest, threw for 3,800 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.
A Record Tying Mark
The Oilers racked up a school record tying 33 first downs in their 41-17 win over Tiffin on Oct. 6 and broke the school record for most first downs through the air with 21.
The Oilers also achieved 33 first downs in a 20-19 win against Kentucky State in 1990 and also in a 54-14 victory over Tiffin in 1997.
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: