Oilers Comeback Falls Short at NMU
The University of Findlay football team got behind early against Northern Michigan University and despite a huge comeback, fell short in the end as they lost 41-31 to the Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Marquette, Mich.
The Oilers trailed 38-10 late in the third quarter before they mounted a quick comeback to get themselves back into the game. The comeback started when junior quarterback Verlon Reed threw a six-yard touchdown pass to junior Lloyd Henry, making the score 38-17 with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Sophomore running back Daiquone Ford then cut into the Wildcats lead when he pounced into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown run with 12:26 left in the game. The touchdown pulled the Oilers closer as they trailed 38-24.
Trailing 38-24, junior defensive back Feraris Golden picked off a pass and got the Oilers offense back on the field. Senior running back Demetrius Trapps then capitalized on the turnover when he scored on a five-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 38-31 with 9:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats would then add a field goal to make the score 41-31, but the Oilers comeback opportunity was ended on the ensuing possession when Reed threw his second interception of the game.
The Oilers threw for a school record 427 passing yards and racked up 592 total yards in the game.
Reed completed 22-of-36 passing attempts for 363 yards and also rushed 15 times for 59 yards. His passing total was nearly good enough to set a new school record as former Findlay player Billy Noonan holds the record with 364 passing yards against Ashland University in 2008.
Junior wide receiver Lloyd Henry caught a career-high ten balls for 175 yards and two scores while red-shirt freshman wide receiver Luke Hampton had a career-high six catches for 140 yards.
Ford rushed the ball 22 times for 87 yards and a score while also catching four passes for 40 yards.
Junior quarterback Devontae Payne contributed to the Oilers record-setting passing attack in the win by completing 4-of-9 passing attempts for 64 yards and a score.
Senior linebacker Trevor Smith racked up a career-high 17 tackles while Golden and junior defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey made seven tackles apiece.
The Wildcats registered 507 yards of total offense and forced four Findlay turnovers in the game.
The Oilers will return home to face Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon in Donnell Stadium.