Findlay Wins Offensive Shootout at Southwest Baptist
Bolivar, Missouri – The University of Findlay took on an unfamiliar opponent on Saturday, Sep. 18 when they traveled 659 miles to battle the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist University. Defense was optional in the first-ever matchup between these two Division II programs, but it was the Oilers who took the win going away, outscoring SBU 62-41 to secure the victory. With the win, Findlay improves to 2-1 on the year with just one non-conference game remaining. The Bearcats have stumbled out of the gate this season and fall to 0-3.
Saturday was the tenth time under head coach Rob Keys that the Oilers have put up 60 or more points in a game, all of which have been since 2017 when Findlay joined the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). The 103 total points scored are tied for second-most in a game all-time at Findlay, just one point shy of the record mark of 104 which happened against Northern Michigan in 2014.
Southwest Baptist was the first team to score on Saturday as they connected for a 42-yard touchdown strike eight minutes into the game. But it was the Oilers that went on to score 28 unanswered points over the next 15 minutes of game time to blow the game wide open. Of the four touchdowns scored in that span, three were on the ground, all of which were scored by different backs.
Coming out of the half with a 28-14 lead, Findlay made sure to keep the Bearcats at arm's length with three more touchdowns in the third quarter to extend their advantage to 49-27.
SBU scored twice to cut into the lead but a 24-yard touchdown from senior Matt Winzeler to sophomore Austin Watt was the nail in the coffin as the Oilers sealed the decisive victory over their GLVC opponent.
Findlay put up 576 yards of offense in the game, the 20th time under Coach Keys that 570 yards of offense has been produced. Of those 576 yards, 322 came on the ground, the second consecutive game the Oilers have rushed for more than 300 yards.
Leading the rushing attack this week was freshman Garret Clark who had 15 carries for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Josh Booker also had a standout performance carrying the football as he picked up 95 yards on 15 carries and found the endzone twice.
Junior Derek Lycnh, the reigning G-MAC Player of the Week after 303 rushing yards last week, had nine carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Lynch also had one reception, an eight-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter.
Helped by an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the contest, senior quarterback Matt Winzler put together his top performance of the young season as he completed 16-of-24 passes for 254 yards and three scores and no interceptions. Senior Ruben Flowers returned to action with four receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown while senior Marlin Richardson was the top target, totaling five receptions for 73 yards. Austin Watt had a pair of receptions, one of which was the fourth quarter touchdown.
On defense, sophomore Grey Brancifort led the Oilers in tackles for the second consecutive week as he tallied 14 stops including 1.5 tackles-for-loss. He also had a pair of pass breakups. Junior Marqis Stokes reached double digits, as well, picking up ten tackles in the win.
Defensive lineman Ervin Besingi put together his second consecutive multi-sack game with 2.5 sacks. Junior Reggie Micheaux also had a sack for the Oilers who, as a group, had eight tackles-for-loss including four sacks.
The Oilers return home on Saturday, Sep. 25 as they take on Lindenwood University for the final non-conference game of the season. That game will kick off at noon in Donnell Stadium.