Defense Dominates in Homecoming Victory over Northwood
Coach Allen Postgame Interview
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team picked up a decisive victory against the visiting Northwood Timberwolves on Saturday, Oct. 8, winning by a score of 34-14. With the Homecoming Day victory, the Oilers improve to 2-4 at the midway point of the season and pick up their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) victory, moving to 1-2. Northwood falls to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in G-MAC play.
After some early seasons struggles, Saturday was a game in which the Oilers' sent a message to its' remaining opponents, scoring will not be easy. Findlay's defense did not allow a point on Saturday as both touchdowns for Northwood were scored by their defense. The Orange and Black faced 11 possessions by the Timberwolves' offense and allowed a drive of 30 or more yards just twice while holding Northwood to less than ten yards on seven drives.
The Timberwolves had the momentum early as, on the second play of the game, Northwood's Mahlon Slaughter forced and recovered a fumble, taking it ten yards the other way for a touchdown.
Findlay bounced back with a methodical 14-play, 76-yard drive that took almost eight minutes and ended with a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore Garret Clark, tying the game at 7-7.
Northwood drove the ball into Findlay territory on their next series, reaching the Oilers' 13 yard line after a 32-yard rush by their quarterback. Three plays later, on third and eight, senior Kijana Caldwell intercepted a pass in the endzone, giving Findlay the ball back.
Findlay's next possession was a three-and-out and a 19-yard punt kept the Timberwolves in prime position to score, starting the drive at the Oilers' 39. However, as they would do all game, the Oilers' defense flexed its' muscle, forcing a punt.
With a minute left before the end of the first quarter, and on the second play of the drive, a fumble by the normally sure-handed Garret Clark was picked up and taken the other way for the second defensive touchdown of the game by Northwood, putting the visitors ahead 14-7.
Findlay did cash in on a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter, but still trailed 14-10 at the half.
From then on, the Oilers dominated.
In the second half, Northwood put together drives that measured eight, 33, 29, one, 19, three, and five yards as they were unable to move the ball against Findlay's stingy defense which turned up the pressure. Of the Timberwolves seven drives in the second half, the Oilers forced three turnovers, a turnover-on-downs, and a punt, while the final drive ended with the end of the game.
By the end of the game, Northwood had managed just 169 yards of total offense, the tenth time since Findlay joined the G-MAC in 2017 that the Orange and Black has held an opponent to less than 200 yards. Of those 169 yards, 74 came through the air and 95 were on the ground. It is also just the fifth time in that same stretch that the Oilers have allowed less than ten first downs in a game as the Timberwolves managed to move the chains on just nine occasions.
One of the major factors in Saturday's contest was turnovers and, despite struggling to force them through the first five weeks, the Oilers got four takeaways that included two interceptions and two fumbles. That would allow Findlay to dominate the time of possession as the home team had the ball for 38 minutes.
On offense, the Oilers put up 384 yards, 182 of which came on the ground and 202 through the air.
Senior Jeremy Hunt was 16-for-27 for 202 yards and a score. His longest pass of the day was a 67-yard score to freshman Bryan Hunt to open the fourth quarter. B. Hunt would finish the day as the leading receiver with three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Junior tight end Mike Rigerman had four catches for 63 yards and junior Tanner Schroeder had nine catches for 57 yards.
On the ground, sophomore Garret Clark had 24 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Jayden Farmer had 19 carries for a hard-earned 85 yards, often lowering his shoulder and running defenders over rather than being tackled. Farmer finished the game with two scores on the ground.
Freshman Sam Weihrauch was all over the field on Saturday, making a career-high 14 tackles to lead the way for Findlay's dominating defensive performance. He also record a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
Senior Marqis Stokes had seven tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery in the secondary while junior Dalton Rockhold led the way in the trenches, making five tackles including 1.5 sacks. Leading Findlay's linebacking corps was junior Grey Brancifort who had three tackles including two tackles-for-loss. He also forced a pair of fumbles. Sophomore Johnny Harris and senior Kijana Caldwell each had an interception.
Sophomore kicker Austin Snyder rounded out the Oilers scoring as he finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points and made 2-of-4 field goals. His makes were from 20 and 22 yards.
After four home games in the first six weeks, Findlay will now end the year with three road games over the next five weeks. That begins next Saturday on Oct. 15 with a long trip south to Kentucky Wesleyan College. That game will kick off at 5:00 pm.