North Canton, Ohio - The University of Findlay football team traveled east on Saturday, Oct. 21 to take on the Walsh University Cavaliers in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) battle that the Oilers have historically controlled. That continued today as the Orange and Black went on to a 23-0 victory, the third time in four seasons that the Oilers have held Walsh scoreless. With the afternoon's victory, Findlay improves to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the G-MAC, remaining one game back of first place in the conference standings. Walsh, on the other hand, is left licking their wounds as they fall to 3-5 overall and 1-5 in the league.

Findlay's offense, which is second-best in the conference, scoring more than 30 points per game, struggled a bit early as the game began with a three-and-out. However, the Oilers' defense handled their business, forcing a three-and-out of their own.

Field goals on the OIlers' next two possessions put the visitors ahead 6-0 with 2:21 left in the first quarter. Those kicks were made by senior Brian Bartholomew, who leads the G-MAC in both field goals made and field goal percentage. Those first two kicks were good from 22 and 43 yards, respectively.

Walsh's first plays from inside Findlay territory came early in the second quarter and saw a good scoring opportunity for the Cavs as they would reach the Oilers' 12 yard line. However, a fumble, forced by junior Johnny Harris, backed Walsh up to the 21 yard line and two plays later, senior Jeremiah Jackson hauled in his third interception of the season, a touchback that gave Findlay the ball at the 20.

That interception was turned into points on just two plays. The first was a 41-yard run by junior Garret Clark and the next was a 39-yard touchdown reception by senior Cam Childers.

The Oilers' next possession looked like another touchdown when senior quarterback Alec Bornhorst broke free for a 29-yard score, but it was nullified by a holding penalty, taking the points off the board and ultimately sending the game into halftime at 13-0 in favor of Findlay.

After a quick punt was forced by the Oilers defense, the offense marched down the field and scored on a 21-yard connection from Bornhorst to tight end Mike Rigerman.

The scoring ended when Bartholomew nailed a 45-yard field goal, his third of the game, with just under ten minutes to play in the game.

Findlay did get the ball back with seven minutes to play, but they would milk the entirety of the clock, eventually taking a knee, ending the game.

As well as the offense controlled the game, it was the Oilers defense that set the tone. In total, Walsh ran 53 plays. Only 15 of those plays were run on Findlay's side of the field, two of which were plays that resulted in an interception. The Cavaliers ran just one play in the red zone, the second quarter fumble that resulted in a loss of eight yards.

Sophomore linebacker Sam Weihrauch was the leading tackler for the Oilers' stout defense, making nine stops that included three-and-a-half tackles-for-loss and a sack. Freshman Gavin DeGroat also had a big game, making six tackles including a single TFL, a sack in the second quarter.

Johnny Harris had five tackles and a TFL while Jeremiah Jackson and senior Jordan Grimes both recorded interceptions. Grimes had two other pass breakups in the game.

On offense, Bornhorst was 19-of-29 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Rigerman was again his favorite target as the senior from Arcade, NY hauled in seven receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Bryan Hunt had six catches for 65 yards and Cam Childers had two catches for 49 yards and a score.

Back in the lineup for the first time since the second week of the season was junior Garret Clark. Clark rushed 20 times for 149 yards and a touchdown in his impressive reemergence. Senior Brian Benson, the league's all-time leading rusher, had seven carries for 40 yards.

Bartholomew had a good day kicking for Findlay as he was a perfect 3-for-3, making kicks of 22, 43, and 45 yards. He also made good on two PATs.

Findlay begins a grueling stretch of games to wrap up the regular season next Saturday as they welcome in the always prepared Ohio Dominican Panthers on Oct. 28. That contest will kick off at noon in Donnell Stadium.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH COACH ALLEN