Posted: Nov 11, 2021

Findlay to Host Tiffin with G-MAC Title on the Line...Again

The Game

One game to win the crown. The final game of the regular season will again determine the champion of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and, as has been the case time and time again, the Oilers are in the mix. For the fourth time in five seasons, Findlay ends its' season with a defacto conference championship game. Findlay will welcome Tiffin to Donnell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 13 for that contest. Kick off is set for noon.

Tickets

To purchase presale tickets for this contest, please visit https://athletics.findlay.edu/tickets

Media

Video streaming of the contest will be produced by UFTV 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 74-42 record with the program as a head coach, which includes a 34-26 mark in GLIAC games and a 26-8 mark in G-MAC games.

For Findlay's 2021 coaching staff, please click on the following link:

2021 Coaching Staff

The Series

Except for a gap from 1998-2002, Findlay and Tiffin have played in every football season since 1986. 29 games in total. Of those 29 games, the Oilers have a lopsided advantage in the series with a 26-3 record including a run of 19 consecutive wins from 1993-2018. However, the Dragons have had the edge as of late, winning the previous two games, both of which were games that decided the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) champion. Findlay's last win in the series was a 38-16 win on the road against the 24th ranked Dragons.

Findlay Oilers (7-3, 5-1 G-MAC)

The Oilers maintained their position at tenth in the latest Super Region One rankings, but the playoffs are the furthest thing from their minds. Through ten weeks of action, Findlay has a chance to do something that has eluded the program since 1997, win a conference championship.

On Saturday, all aspects of the Oilers' game will be tested as the Dragons lead the league in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Findlay comes into the game ranked third in the G-MAC in scoring and fourth in scoring defense.

One area that Findlay has dominated so far this season has been the red zone. The Oilers are currently ranked second in the country in red zone offense, scoring on 95% of their possessions on that side of the field. Of their 38 trips into the opponents 20-yard line, the Oilers have scored 28 touchdowns and have eight field goals. Defensively, the Oilers are no slouch either as they lead the conference and rank 13th in the country in red zone defense at 65%, allowing just 21 touchdowns and three field goals on 37 attempts inside their own 20.

Findlay's offensive line has been one of the best in the country, as well, helping keep their quarterback upright for much of the season. The Oilers lead the conference and rank 13th in the country in sacks allowed at less than one per game (0.90). That being the case, quarterback Matt Winzeler has had a solid third season as the team's starter and is throwing for his highest percentage of his career thus far. Winzeler has completed 176-of-304 (58%) of his passes this year for 2,198 yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior Marlin Richardson, the reigning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week, has been Winzeler's top receiver this season, catching 42 passes for 653 yards and three touchdowns. Completions will not come easy on Saturday, however, as the Dragons rank second in the G-MAC in passing defense at just over 200 yards per game allowed.

With a stout passing defense on the other side, the Oilers will rely on a ground attack that has proven to be one of the best in the conference all season. With a stable of running backs capable of a big game, Findlay has averaged 195 yards per game on the ground this season and leads the G-MAC with 21 rushing touchdowns. Junior Derek Lynch has been the leader all season, carrying the ball 115 times for 676 yards and five touchdowns. He is joined by freshman Garret Clark, who has 86 carries for 469 yards and five scores, and junior Josh Booker, who has 63 carries for 318 yards and six touchdowns. Those three make up three of the top 15 in the G-MAC in rushing yards and three of the top seven in the league in rushing touchdowns.

On defense, with leading tackler Grey Brancifort not listed on this week's two-deep, Findlay's depth will be tested. Marqis Stokes will be the leading tackler on the field, coming in with 71 stops this season. He will be joined at linebacker by Jack Trombetti, who has 68 tackles, and senior Colin Robertson who has played in 46 games in his career and has 20 tackles this season, 88 for his career. With a dual-threat at quarterback for the Dragons, Findlay's defensive line will play a big role in Saturday's outcome. Junior defensive end Ervin Besingi leads the Oilers with 9.5 tackles-for-loss and has 6.5 sacks this season while sophomore tackle Dalton Rockhold has 6.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.

2021 Season Statistics
2021 Roster

Tiffin (8-2, 5-1 G-MAC)

Entering the fall of 2021, there was no question who the favorite was in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). The Tiffin Dragons ran through the league in the spring to claim its second consecutive conference title and was returning a host of talent including the Player of the Year, quarterback Nick Watson, and the Defensive Lineman of the Year, Charlie Cleveland. The polls certainly reflected that feeling as the Dragons entered the fall ranked 19th in the country and selected as the preseason favorite to win the G-MAC.

Through three games, the Dragons were a perfect 3-0 and were coming off of a top-15 victory against #12 Indianapolis. Tiffin then vaulted to #12 in the country. A loss the following week to Truman State halted the momentum and the Dragons slid to #24 heading into conference play. The upset-minded Hillsdale Chargers went to Tiffin and ended the Dragons' 12-game conference win streak, giving the Green and Gold a two-game losing streak and a 3-2 mark.

That did not deter Tiffin as they ripped off five consecutive conference wins including a pair of one-touchdown victories, one over Ashland and one over Kentucky Wesleyan. Those five wins have the Dragons back on track and in position to potentially claim their third consecutive G-MAC championship.

Nick Watson has certainly looked like a Player of the Year candidate yet again as he has completed 179 of 312 passes for 2,528 yards and 25 touchdowns. He currently leads the conference in passing yards, passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, and efficiency. Watson has proven he is still a dual-threat, as well, rushing the ball 63 times this season for 250 yards and four scores. He has been the primary reason that Tiffin leads the G-MAC in scoring at 33.6 points per game and is second in total offense per game at 431.2 ypg.

Watson's top target has been sophomore Anthony Lowe who has been the beneficiary of the team's standout quarterback. Lowe currently leads the G-MAC in receptions (59), yards (790), and receiving touchdowns (9). He is joined by teammates Jalen Thomas (455 / 5), Reggie Colson (376 / 4), and James Dean (318 / 2) as players with more than 300 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns.

After losing standout tailback Jaquan Hardy to graduation and ultimately the NFL, the Dragons had a hole to fill at that position. Junior Darius Pinnix has done a good job, carrying the ball 138 times for the third-best rushing total in the conference, 625 yards. He also has seven rushing touchdowns which also rank third.

On defense, the Dragons' leading tackler has been Jermaine Wimpye who comes into the final weekend with 57 stops including 4.0 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interceptions. Landon Hall is second on the team with 52 tackles including 5.5 TFL. Defensive lineman Charlie Cleveland, a preseason all-American, has 50 stops and ranks second in the G-MAC in sacks with seven this season.

2021 Season Stats
2021 Roster

Links

NCAA Division II Stats
NCAA
NCAA Division II Football
American Football Coaches Association
D2Football.com
Great Midwest