Defense Dominates in Canton
Canton, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team wasted no getting their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) win as they traveled to Canton and knocked off Walsh University by a score of 47-3. The win, which came on Saturday, Sep. 30, gives the Oilers a 4-1 record overall with a 1-0 mark in conference play while the Cavaliers fall to 0-5, 0-1 in conference. The Oilers have outscored their opponents in the previous three games by 143 points (163-20) and are averaging 54.3 points per game in that stretch.
The Oilers received the opening kickoff and powered down the field with a 13-play drive, ten of which were running plays, that ultimately ended with a touchdown pass from junior Adam Bertke to sophomore Luke Stuffel that gave the road team a 7-0 lead.
After the ensuing kickoff, Walsh's first play from scrimmage was a rush that went for 50 yards, taking the Cavaliers to the Oilers' 30-yard line. But Findlay's defense held stout and forced Walsh to kick a field goal, making the score 7-3. It was the only points the home team would score in the game.
The Oilers would score on six of their final nine possessions, not including a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior Aaron Ivory.
Findlay outgained the Cavaliers 548 yards to 183, the second consecutive game that the Orange and Black held their opponent to under 200 yards of total offense. Walsh was only able to manage 55 passing yards in the game, the first time since last year's game against Michigan Tech that an opposing team had less than 100 yards through the air.
On offense, the Oilers had 281 passing yards, 272 of which came from Adam Bertke who was making his first career start in place of the injured Rhys Gervais. Bertke had a solid performance, completing 14-of-26 passes for 272 yards and three scores.
Senior Daouda Sylla reached the century mark for the fourth time this season on the ground, rushing 21 times for 113 yards and one touchdown while sophomore Nate Slagel picked up 11 carries for 90 yards.
Senior Airion Kosak picked up a season-high with 87 yards receiving on three receptions, two of which found the end zone. Junior Jason Moore had five catches for 84 yards while junior Jacob Allton caught four balls for 84 yards.
Aaron Ivory had a game to remember to lead the stout Oilers defense. The Cleveland, Ohio native recorded a team-high seven tackles, had one pass breakup, returned an interception for a touchdown, and in the third quarter, picked up a blocked punt.
Junior Chiebuka Chukwuneke also recorded seven tackles while fellow junior Francis Cutchember recorded six tackles, two for loss, and had a pass breakup.
Findlay will return home for their first Great Midwest contest in Donnell Stadium when they welcome Lake Erie College on Saturday, October 7. That game will kickoff at 7:00 pm.