Ford's Record-Breaking Day Propels Oilers to 48-27 Win
The University of Findlay football team used a record-breaking performance by sophomore running back Daiquone Ford to claim a 48-27 win over Lake Erie College on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Donnell Stadium.
The Oilers, who improved to 5-3 on the season with a 3-3 record in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with the victory, churned out 425 rushing yards and came away with three interceptions and six sacks in the game.
Ford ended the game with 44 carries for 317 yards and six touchdowns, which included a 91-yard scamper for a score late in the third quarter.
His rushing attempts eclipsed the previous record of 42, which was set by Joel McDaniel against Wayne State University during the 2007 season. His 317 rushing yards bested the previous single-game record of 286, which was set by Allen Smith against Waynesburg in 1965.
The Myrtle Beach, S.C. native now has 1,394 rushing yards on the season to go along with 19 touchdowns. He has three games remaining to catch Dana Wright for the single season rushing total of 1,824 yards, which was set during the 1985 campaign. His 19 touchdowns leaves him six shy of breaking the school record for scores in a season as Smith accumulated 24 rushing touchdowns during the 1965 campaign.
Junior quarterback Devontae Payne also found success with his legs during the victory over the Storm, rushing nine times for 92 yards and a score. He also threw for 70 yards in the game.
Junior wide receiver Lloyd Henry caught three passes for 47 yards while Ford added one reception for 19 yards.
Defensively, junior defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey registered a career-high 17 tackles and also added an interception in the game.
Freshman defensive back Tory Clark made seven stops to go along with an interception while senior defensive back Jamon McClain also had seven tackles and a pick.
Junior defensive end Kevin Brewton lived in the Storm backfield during the win and came away with five tackles, four tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Brendan Gallagher led the Storm by completing 29-of-42 passing attempts for 234 yards.
Lake Erie, who entered the game averaging a GLIAC-best 578.4 yards of total offense per contest, was held to only 376 total yards by the Oilers defense.
Findlay will be at home again next week to battle Ashland University on Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. in Donnell Stadium.