Henry Ties Record in 37-28 Win Over Bearcats
The University of Findlay football team claimed a 37-28 win over McKendree University on Saturday, Sep. 13 in Donnell Stadium to run their record to 2-0 on the year.
The Oilers jumped out to a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter and entered the break with a 20-7 advantage on the scoreboard. The Bearcats tightened the game in the second half when they scored on their first possession, but the Oilers answered with a 38-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Tyler Bugeja.
Leading 23-14, the Bearcats once again lit up the scoreboard just before the third quarter ended to make the score 23-21 in favor of Findlay.
The fourth quarter began with a 14-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Verlon Reed to senior wide receiver Lloyd Henry, his third touchdown grab of the game. Henry's score tied a school record for most touchdown receptions in a game as he now shares the top spot with four other receivers. Rick Hatfield accomplished the feat against Bluffton in 1978, James Tyree did it against Wilmington in 1989, Mark Inkrott caught three touchdowns against Mercyhurst in 1998 and Jeff Rowe found the end zone three times against Indiana (Pa.) in 2002.
The Bearcats quickly answered Henry's score with a touchdown of their own to make the score 30-28 in favor of Findlay with 11:59 to play, but junior running back Daiquone Ford put the game out of reach with a three-yard touchdown scamper with only 5:40 remaining in the contest.
The Oilers racked up 379 yards of total offense in the win, but committed 13 penalties for a total of 161 yards.
Reed threw for 212 yards and three scores, completing 21-of-35 passing attempts, while Ford rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Reed also added 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Henry caught seven balls for 109 yards and three touchdowns while sophomore wide receiver Dylan Blunk had four receptions for 47 yards in the game. Henry also moved into ninth place all-time with 112 career receptions and ranks eighth all-time with 1,543 receiving yards.
Sophomore defensive back Evan Rinke paced the defense with ten tackles while senior safety Harold Jones-Quartey made nine stops.
Freshman defensive back Aaron Ivory picked off a pass while junior linebacker Daniel Gusching recovered a fumble.
The Oilers will return to the field again next week for their first road game of the season. The Oilers will play at Tiffin University with kickoff slated for 1:30 p.m.