Oilers Beaten by Top-Ranked Bulldogs
Coach Allen Postgame Interview
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team welcomed in #1 Ferris State University to Donnell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1. A big first half by the Bulldogs made all the difference as the Oilers were beaten 38-7 by the defending Division II national champions and top-ranked team in the country. With the loss, Findlay falls to 1-4 on the season while the Bulldogs, which have now won 42 consecutive regular-season games, stay perfect at 4-0 this year.
After holding the powerful Bulldogs offense to a field goal on the first drive of the game, Findlay picked up a first down and later, on fourth and one, kept the offense on the field. While the down was not converted, it sent the message that Findlay would not go away quietly.
Ferris State drove down the field and reached Findlay's four yard line, knocking on the door of a touchdown. Bulldogs quarterback Carson Gulker, the nation's leader in rushing touchdowns, ran to the right side of the formation on first and goal but junior Dalton Rockhold wrapped up him in the backfield, forcing a fumble on the play. The Oilers recovered, giving the home crowd a burst of momentum.
However, a three-and-out followed by a short punt set the Bulldogs up in prime field position, starting at the Oilers 15-yard line. Four plays later Ferris State scored the first touchdown of the game to take a 10-0 lead.
The Bulldogs then went on to score touchdowns on their next four possessions, taking a 31-0 lead into the half. Another score in the third made it 38-0 before Findlay went on its' best drive of the day.
Starting at their own one-yard line, following a 60-yard punt by the Bulldogs, Findlay went on a 12-play, 99-yard drive over five minutes, ending the drive on the first play of the fourth quarter, a six-yard touchdown pass from senior Jeremy Hunt to freshman Bryan Hunt making the score 38-7, the ultimate final score.
Ferris State held the advantage offensively, picking up 458 yards on 71 plays while possessing the ball for 31:06. The Oilers ran 65 plays and picked up 276 yards with 28:54 time of possession.
The Bulldogs did most of their damage on the ground as their run-heavy offense picked up 304 yards while Findlay rushed for 121.
Quarterback Jeremy Hunt finished the game 13-for-28 for 155 yards and a touchdown in the game. He also threw a pair of interceptions.
On the ground, sophomore Jayden Farmer led the way, carrying the ball nine times for 48 yards. Senior Derek Lynch had 39 yards on seven carries while sophomore Garret Clark had 30 yards on ten carries.
B. Hunt was the leading receiver with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Junior Mike Rigerman had three receptions for 46 yards. Those three receptions included a pair of highlight-reel catches in heavy traffic.
The Oilers were led on defense by sophomore Johnny Harris who made a career-high 13 tackles in the game. He also forced a fumble and had a breakup in pass defense. Junior linebacker Grey Brancifort, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) leader in tackles, had ten stops, including a sack. Freshman Sam Weirauch had eight tackles while senior Jeremiah Jackson and junior Dalton Rockhold had seven tackles, apiece. Rockhold added a pair of tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble.
Findlay is home again next weekend, Oct. 8 with a game against new G-MAC opponent Northwood University. That game, the Oilers Homecoming contest, will begin at 2:00 pm.