Oilers Fall to Panthers in DII Showcase
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team was matched up in prime time on Saturday, Sep. 22 as they took on the defending Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) champion, Ohio Dominican Panthers, in the league's NCAA Division II Showcase. Just as it was a season ago, it was the Panthers that would come away with the win over the Oilers, this time with a score 34-21. With the loss, Findlay falls to 2-2 overall with a 1-1 mark in league play while the Panthers improve 3-1 with a 1-1 record in the G-MAC and have now won six out of the seven matchups all-time between the two in-state rivals.
The Panthers never trailed in the game as they struck in the first quarter on a 63-yard connection from Evan Ernst to Cory Contini to take an early 7-0 lead. That lead extended to 14 points just three minutes into the second quarter.
Findlay's first score came with nine minutes to play before halftime when junior Richard Wilson capped off a six-play, 65-yard drive with a two yard touchdown run. However, just four minutes later, the Panthers again found the endzone and eventually took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
Ohio Dominican made a momentous stand on the goal line in the third quarter, ending Findlay's 14-play, 79-yard drive on downs inside their own one yard line. 14 plays later, the Panthers capped of a 99-yard drive with a 58-yard touchdown run and took a 34-14 lead.
The Oilers scored again with six minutes left in the game, but a pair of interceptions on their final two possessions ended any chance of a comeback for Findlay.
Findlay finished with 444 yards of total offense, 215 of which came on the ground and 229 of which came through the air.
Senior Rhys Gervais completed 22 passes for 229 yards and a score, but threw three interceptions in the loss. It is the second time in the last three games that the Panthers have coaxed at least three picks against Findlay.
Gervais' favorite targets were senior Jacob Allton and senior Jacob Hill who each came away with five catches. Allton had 71 yards receiving and Hill had 48. The lone touchdown reception came from junior Andrew Ogletree who had three receptions for 30 yards.
Junior Richard Wilson showed Oilers fans what they can expect from the big back out of Southfield, Mich. The Detroit Country Day product had his best game in the Orange and Black as he carried the ball 24 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, senior Tyler Long had nine solo stops and finished with ten tackles total to lead Findlay. Junior Myles Ross stepped in with eight tackles, including a half-tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Senior Justice Jenkins, junior Isaac Miles, and junior Grant Kinsinger each had six stops.
Findlay is back on the field next Saturday, Sep. 29 when they travel to Painesville to take on the Storm of Lake Erie College. That game will kick off at 12:00 pm.