Oilers Defeat Lakers 26-20, Snap 11-Game Losing Streak to GVSU
The University of Findlay football team snapped an 11-game losing streak against Grand Valley State University as they came away with a 26-20 win over the Lakers on Saturday, September 24 in Allendale, Michigan. The victory gives the Oilers a 2-2 record on the season with a 2-1 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers began the game with a 47-yard pass from junior quarterback Clay Belton to red-shirt freshman wide receiver Nathan Morris, which ultimately led to a 30-yard field goal by Zack Housholder.
The Lakers then answered with a touchdown drive before the Oilers defense began to make plays.
Sophomore defensive back Jamon McClain and junior defensive back Bryan Womack each made interceptions while the Oilers forced and recovered two fumbles in the first 18 minutes of the game.
In the second quarter, junior running back Monterae Williams capped off a drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to make the score 10-7 in favor of Findlay with 13:43 to play in the opening half.
Later in the second quarter, Williams again found the end zone as he capped a 72-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown scamper to make the score 17-7 with 8:11 left in the second quarter.
The Lakers would then tack on a field goal late in the first half as the Oilers entered the break with a 17-10 lead.
In the third quarter, the Oilers defense picked up where they left off in the first half as senior defensive back Isaiah Ballard forced his second fumble of the game and raced 39-yards the other way for a score with 14:02 remaining in the third period. The extra point was missed, but extended the Oilers lead to 23-10.
After an interception by sophomore linebacker Kenny Klatt at the Findlay 21-yard line, the Oilers marched down the field, but had to settle for a 23-yard field from Housholder to extend the lead to 26-17 with 1:18 remaining in the third period.
In the fourth quarter, the Lakers settled for a 19-yard field goal after the Oilers defense became a wall inside the 5-yard line. The field goal made the score 26-20 with 5:42 to play in the game.
From there, the Oilers offense took over as they converted two crucial third downs on the ensuing possession, which allowed them to run out the clock and earn their first victory over the Lakers since 1972.
Offensively, Williams finished with 96 yards and two scores on 22 carries while Belton passed for 150 yards and racked up 60 more yards on the ground.
Sophomore wide receiver Seth White caught a career-high eight passes for 63 yards as well.
Defensively, senior defensive back Donte Johnson led the team with 11 tackles while Ballard and Womack recorded ten stops apiece.
The defense forced six turnovers in the win as they picked off three passes and recovered three fumbles.
The Oilers will be back in action again next Saturday when they travel to Indianapolis, Indiana to face the University of Indianapolis. Kick-off is slated for a 6 pm start.