Findlay Heads to ODU for Battle of G-MAC Unbeatens
The Game
Every year when schedules are released, there are a few games that are circled and always seem to be more than just another game. Findlay and Ohio Dominican is one of those games and this year, the Oilers will travel to Columbus to take on the Panthers in a meeting of two G-MAC unbeatens. The contest will kick off at noon on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Tickets
To purchase presale tickets for this contest, please visit https://www.ohiodominicanpanthers.com/information/tickets
Media
Video streaming of the contest will be produced by Ohio Dominican and will broadcast on the Great Midwest Digital Network.
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Head Coach Rob Keys
Head coach Rob Keys will enter his 11th season at the helm of the Oilers football program in 2021. He has recorded a 71-41 record with the program as a head coach, which includes a 34-26 mark in GLIAC games and a 23-7 mark in G-MAC games.
For Findlay's 2021 coaching staff, please click on the following link:
The Series
The series between ODU and Findlay is young in the grand scheme of things. The two teams have played nine games with the Panthers winning eight of them. Findlay's lone win came in 2011, a 27-24 victory in Findlay. The Oilers are looking for their first victory on the road against the Panthers.
Findlay Oilers (4-2, 2-0 G-MAC)
Findlay is coming off back-to-back wins to open Great Midwest Athletic Conference play, two games in which they put up more than 30 points. Saturday, the league's second-highest scoring team will head to take on the Panthers in a game that, early on in the year, has conference title implications. The Oilers have struggled against the Panthers in the series, but a win on Saturday would be both a statement to the rest of the league and also a momentum builder that might help shape the course of the 2021 fall season.2021 Season Statistics
2021 Roster
Ohio Dominican (5-1, 2-0 G-MAC)
There's no doubt that with as much returning talent as it has that the Ohio Dominican Panthers felt slighted by their third place selection in the G-MAC Preseason Poll. Through six games, ODU is 5-1 and is coming off of a statement win on the road against G-MAC newcomer Ashland. Pair that Ashland win with a victory on the road earlier this season against no. 19 Indianapolis and there's no reason to believe the Panthers won't be in the hunt again for a G-MAC title.
A 5-1 record is nothing to complain about, but the way the Panthers have gotten to this point has been by no means easy. Every game has been decided by ten points or less, including a five-point loss to no. 15 Shepherd to open the season. Had a few plays gone differently in the past five weeks, ODU could just as easily be staring three or even four losses. But, late game heroics on multiple occassions have the Black and Gold feeling confident as they return home for the first time in more than a month to welcome another tall test in Findlay.
ODU is led again this season by their standout quarterback Evan Ernst who, over the past three seasons, has proven himself as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the conference. In his career, Ernst has completed 419-of-639 passes, 66% of his throws. He has thrown for 4,407 yards and 36 touchdowns while maintaining an efficiency of 138.0. This season, Ernst has completed 131-of-205 for 1,510 yards, all of which are tops in the conference. If there's one flaw in his game, it's that he does have a tendancy to turn the ball over as he has thrown 13 interceptions in 21 games.
His top target is senior wideout David Turner who is playing in his sixth season for the Black and Gold. Turner has 38 receptions this season for 372 yards and three touchdowns. In his career, Turner has 273 receptions, the most among active Division II receivers, and has 2,849 yards and 22 touchdowns. He ranks second among DII actives in all-purpose yards (5,028) and is fourth in yards.
Defensively, Dauson Dales is the highlight. A two-time first-team all-G-MAC performer, Dales leads the conference with 67 tackles this year and is sixth among DII actives with 321 career tackles. His career number is most in ODU history.
Links
NCAA Division II Stats
NCAA
NCAA Division II Football
American Football Coaches Association
D2Football.com
Great Midwest