Oilers Claim 27-24 Win Over Panthers
The University of Findlay football team knocked off Ohio Dominican University by a score of 27-24 on Saturday, October 15 at Donnell Stadium. The Homecoming win gives the Oilers a 4-3 record on the season with a 4-2 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Panthers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter and were threatening to tack on some more points before the half, but freshman defensive lineman D.J. Williams picked off a screen pass and raced the other way for an 86-yard score.
The Oilers would fumble the extra point, but went into the half down 10-6 with momentum on their side.
In the third quarter, junior running back Monterae Williams put the team on his back and rushed for 66 yards on five carries during the Oilers opening possession. Williams ended the drive, which was highlighted by his 55-yard scamper, with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone to make the score 13-10 with 12:36 showing on the clock.
After a defensive stop, the Oilers again marched down the field and reached the end zone as junior quarterback Clay Belton hit sophomore tight end Jaryd Brown on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make the score 20-10 with 4:49 remaining in the third period.
The Panthers would score a touchdown on the ensuing possession to make the score 20-17, but Belton gave the Oilers some breathing room with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
The scoring drive at the 14:00 minute mark of the final period was highlighted by a 51-yard rush from sophomore running back Ray Ballard.
The Panthers would answer with a touchdown of their own at the 4:47 mark to make the score 27-24, but senior defensive back Isaiah Ballard ended all of Ohio Dominican's hope by forcing and recovering a fumble on a third down play with only 1:44 to play.
The forced fumble and recovery was the second in the fourth quarter by Ballard, who finished the game with ten tackles.
As a team, the Oilers were out-gained by the Panthers 451-309 as Ohio Dominican racked up 27 first downs in the game.
Williams led the offense with 111 yards on 27 carries while Belton completed 12-of-20 passes for 140 yards and a score.
Brown caught five passes for 58 yards and a score while sophomore wide receiver Seth White registered three catches for 59 yards.
Ballard had the one carry for 51 yards while freshmen Nathan Morris and Harold Jones-Quartey each hauled in one pass each.
Defensively, senior defensive back Donte Johnson registered a career-high 14 tackles.
The Oilers will be back in action again next Saturday when they travel to Painesville, Ohio to take on Lake Erie College at 1 pm.