Defense / Special Teams Shine in 63-Point Drubbing of Lake Erie
Painesville, Ohio – The University of Findlay scored twice in the first five minutes of action and forced four turnovers en route to a 70-7 victory on the road against Lake Erie College on Saturday, Sep. 29. After the win, Findlay's sixth straight against the Storm, the Oilers improve to 3-2 overall with a 2-1 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action. Lake Erie remains winless at 0-5 and 0-3 in the league. The win was the 500th in Oilers football history.
The Oilers got off to a great start, scoring on their first offensive possession on a nine-play, 47-yard drive that ended in a score. On the first play of Lake Erie's first offensive series, Findlay junior Romaeo Whitlow recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Oilers a 14-0 lead just four-and-a-half minutes into the game.
That lead would extend to 42-0 by halftime and, with the starters taking a rest, added 28 more points in the second half.
Findlay's 70 points tie their conference record which was set last season against Alderson Broaddus and are the most points scored in a game in Division II this season. The 63-point differential is the biggest margin of victory for Findlay since a 70-0 victory over Lindenwood in 1994.
The Oilers defense was stout, especially on the ground, allowing just 201 total yards, only three of which were rushing yards. That unit also forced a season-best four turnovers, one of which went for a touchdown, and recorded a blocked kick and a blocked punt, also returned for a score.
Leading the defensive side of the ball was sophomore Kyle Gibson who made eight tackles, four of which were for loss, including a pair of sacks. Senior Justice Jenkins had six stops and an interception, but it was the big play ability of junior Romaeo Whitlow that stood out. Whitlow recorded two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score, and made two tackles.
On special teams, freshman Maliq Carr recorded a block kick and a blocked punt. The blocked punt ended with Carr on top of the ball in the endzone for his first career touchdown.
Sophomore Brian Benson rushed the ball 11 times for a career-high 124 yards and a pair of scores including a 70-yard score with just five minutes remaining in the game. Fellow sophomore Demondre Blanks picked up 71 yards and a score on four carries while junior Richard Wilson rushed 13 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior Adam Bertke got the start for Findlay for just the third time in his career and completed 11-of-20 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was junior tight end Luke Stuffel who had a pair of catches for 52 yards and a score. Junior Andrew Ogletree also had two catches and a touchdown.
Findlay returns home for the Homecoming Game on Saturday, Oct. 6 against Hillsdale College. That game will kick off at 3:00 pm.