Findlay Rolls Past Lake Erie
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team bounced back in a big way on Saturday, April 17 in Donnell Stadium as they hosted the Lake Erie Storm in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contest. The Oilers scored 31 consecutive points in the second and third quarters to cruise to a 51-14 victory, their eighth consecutive win against the Storm. With the win, the Oilers are now 4-1 on the season while Lake Erie, which has been dealing with COVID issues all spring, falls to 0-2.
Findlay got the scoring started on the first series of the game as they drove 53 yards in nine plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by senior Brian Benson. A missed extra point made the score 6-0.
The Storm's first offensive possession ended with an interception by senior Kijana Caldwell, his third interception of the season, but a fumble by the Oilers five plays later gave the ball back to Lake Erie.
The teams traded possessions until the end of the first quarter when the Oilers used up the final 4:24, ending the first frame with a 6-0 lead. On the first play of the second quarter, senior Matt Winzeler found senior Marlin Richardson for a seven-yard touchdown to extend the Findlay lead to 13-0.
Lake Erie answered in a big way as their next drive went 12 plays in six minutes for a touchdown. On that drive, the Storm picked up big chunks of yardage as six of those 12 plays went for more than ten yards, including the touchdown which was a 14-yard pass making the score 13-7.
Findlay then scored a touchdown on their next possession, got an interception, and scored again all in a matter of five minutes of game time to take back control of the game. After the 21-point second quarter, the Oilers held a comfortable 27-7 lead at halftime.
A 24-yard field goal by freshman Austin Snyder and touchdown runs of 48 and 23 yards by freshman Garret Clark put the game on ice as the Oilers would cruise to a blowout victory.
The Oilers dominated in every facet of the game, outgaining the Storm 428 yards to 209 yards. Of the Oilers 428 yards, 250 came on the ground on 48 attempts. Lake Erie managed just 20 yards on the ground, in comparison.
Findlay had just one turnover, a fumble, but had five interceptions on the defensive side of the ball as Kijana Caldwell, freshman John Harris, freshman RaShad Craig, sophomore Uriah Schwemley, and junior Shean Rheams each recorded a pick. It is the first time in program history that five different players have recorded an interception and the first time since December 8, 1979 (6 ints) that the defense has had five interceptions in a game.
Senior Matt Winzeler completed 17-of-24 passes for 178 and three scores on the day. His favorite target was Marlin Richardson who had his second 100+ yard receiving game of the season with nine catches and 104 yards. He added a pair of touchdowns, as well, which gives his six on the year, the most in the conference. Sophomore Mike Rigerman had a touchdown grab, as well.
Most of the yardage came on the ground and that effort was led by Garret Clark who set a career high with 104 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns. Senior Derek Lynch ran it 12 times for 75 yards while Brian Benson picked up eight carries for 42 yards and one touchdown.
Senior Colin Robertson and senior Jack Trombetti led the Oilers' defense with six tackles each while Trombetti notched a tackle-for-loss, as well. Senior Kyle Gibson had four tackles including a tackle-for-loss while sophomore Dalton Rockhold had three tackles including two sacks and sophomore Brennan Perry had three tackles including a sack.
In other G-MAC action on Saturday, Tiffin defeated Ohio Dominican which sets up a big matchup next week in Tiffin, Ohio. A win by the Oilers would clinch a share of their first conference championship since 1997.
