Oilers Fall Short in Upset Bid of #2 Lakers
The University of Findlay football team fell short in their bid to upset 2nd-ranked Grand Valley State University as they fell 28-17 to the undefeated Lakers on Oct. 29 in Allendale, Mich. The loss also gives the Oilers a 4-5 mark in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play as well.
The Oilers took a 17-14 lead early in the third quarter and held the three point lead until late in the fourth quarter. The Lakers then took the lead at 21-17 with just over six minutes to play and tacked on another score with just over two minutes remaining for the final margin of the contest.
Junior Rhys Gervais paced the offense by completing 28-of-41 passing attempts for 263 yards and a pair of scores. His two touchdown passes give him 57 for his career, tying the school record for career touchdown passes at Findlay. He now shares the record with Bo Hurley, who fired 57 for the Oilers from 1994-97.
Junior Jason Moore was Gervais' favorite target as he caught six balls for 117 yards. Senior Dylan Blunk made eight catches for 49 yards and a touchdown while junior Anthony Federico chipped in seven catches for 38 yards and a score.
Junior Chauncey Bridges led the Oilers rushing attack with 98 yards on 15 carries while junior Daouda Sylla rushed the ball 11 times for 57 yards.
Junior Aaron Ivory and sophomore Chiebuka Chukwuneke led the defense with nine tackles apiece.
The Oilers will return home for their final home game of the season next week when they host Northwood University. The senior day game is scheduled to begin at noon on Nov. 5 at Donnell Stadium.