Findlay Wins Fourth Straight
Findlay, Ohio - The University of Findlay football team battled the Lake Erie Storm as well as driving rain on Oct. 7 in their second Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) game of the year. When time ran out, the Oilers were ahead 63-3 on the scoreboard to improve to 5-1 on the year with a 2-0 mark in GMAC play while the Storm fall to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the league. The 5-1 start is the best since Rob Keys has been head coach and is the first time the Oilers have started 5-1 since 2009. In their previous four games, the Orange and Black are outscoring their opponents 226-23.
Findlay cruised out to a 28-3 lead after one quarter of play and took a 41-3 lead into the half. In the second half, the Oilers outscored Lake Erie 22-0 to close out the game with a 60-point victory. The Oilers' 63 points are the most points scored in a game this year.
The Oilers ran for 374 yards, a season-high, on 47 carries. The GMAC's rushing leaders are now averaging 290 rush yards per game.
Getting his second start of the year, junior Adam Bertke complete 10-of-19 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.
Finishing with one of his most impressive performances of his career was senior running back Daouda Sylla. The Ypsilanti, Michigan native had 18 carries for a career-high 186 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half. Sophomore Nate Slagel also rushed for a career high with 102 yards on 11 carries. He, as well as junior Michael Campbell, rushed for two touchdowns.
Senior Airion Kosak picked up a touchdown on special teams when, in the second quarter, he chased a muffed punt into the endzone for a score. It was the first special teams touchdown for Findlay since a 100-yard kick return for a score against Grand Valley State on October 25, 2014.
Junior Justice Jenkins had a big game on defense as he picked up seven tackles and had two fumble recoveries. Senior Johnny Hopkins picked up five tackles, two of which were for loss. He also forced a fumble and had two quarterback hurries. Junior Chiebuka Chukwuneke and junior Tyler Long each had an interception in the contest.
The Oilers are back on the field on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 pm when the travel to Hillsdale College to take on the Chargers. The game will be streaming on ESPN3.