#4 Bulldogs Slip by Oilers 42-39
The University of Findlay football team came up short in their bid to take down 4th-ranked Ferris State University as they fell 42-39 to the Bulldogs on Oct. 3 in Donnell Stadium. The loss gives the Oilers a 3-2 record on the year with a 2-2 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 6:26 to play in the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Rhys Gervais found sophomore tight end Anthony Federico streaking down the middle of the field for a 22-yard scoring play. The Bulldogs would then tie the game, but Gervais once again threw a touchdown, this time a 37-yard score to sophomore running back Chauncey Bridges with 1:04 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Oilers then built a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter when senior running back Daiquone Ford darted into the end zone from 19 yards out. The Bulldogs would then score to before Gervais threw his third touchdown pass of the half to give Findlay a 28-14 advantage at the break. Gervais connected with sophomore Airion Kosak on a 51-yard scoring play.
The Bulldogs would score on the first possession of the third quarter, but Findlay answered with a 23-yard field goal from junior Tyler Bugeja. The field goal gave the Oilers a 31-21 lead with 8:51 to play in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs would score three straight touchdowns to open up a 42-31 advantage by the fourth quarter.
The Oilers would find the end zone one more time as Gervais hit senior wide receiver Tim Szabo on a 24-yard pass for the final scoring of the game.
Gervais ended the game by completing 17-of-31 passing attempts for 292 yards and four touchdowns. His favorite target was Szabo, who caught seven balls for 139 yards and a score.
Bridges rushed 14 times for 118 yards while Ford had 35 yards and a score on six carries.
Junior linebacker Anthony Linnear paced the defense with 15 tackles while sophomore safety Aaron Ivory and sophomore linebacker Daouda Sylla had nine tackles apiece.
Jason Vander Laan led the Bulldogs with 157 yards rushing and 201 yards passing. He rushed for four touchdowns and threw for two more.
The Oilers will hit the road next week to face Walsh University at noon in Canton, Ohio.