Findlay, Ohio - The University of Findlay football team took on familiar foe Ohio Dominican University on Saturday, Oct. 28 in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contest in Donnell Stadium. Historically, the matchup had gone in favor of the Panthers, but today it was the Oilers who dominated from the jump, coming away with an impressive 24-3 victory. It is the biggest win by the Oilers over ODU in the series history and is first time in the history of the series that either team did not reach double digits on the scoreboard.

With the win, the Oilers continue to keep their title hopes alive as they improve to 7-2 overall with a 6-1 record in the G-MAC. ODU falls to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the league. 

The Panthers came into the game boasting the top scoring defense in the G-MAC, but on Saturday it was the OIlers' defense that proved to be the better of the two. Both units were on display early as the first possession for each team resulted in a three-and-out.

Findlay's second possession of the game would start on their own one yard line thanks for a booming 59-yard punt by the Panthers' Logan Ortt. Senior Alec Bornhorst then found freshman wide receiver Damarion Arrington on three of the next four plays, pushing the Oilers all the way to the 50 yard line. The offense would eventually reach the Panthers' 23 before being forced into a 40 yard goal which was made by senior Brian Bartholomew. It was his league-leading 12th field goal of the year.

The next six possessions ended in punts as both defenses buckled down.

Findlay's first touchdown came following an interception over the middle by senior Jordan Grimes, who now leads the conference with five takeaways through the air. That effort set of the Oilers' offense just 26 yards from the endzone.

Bornhorst found running back Garret Clark for a chunk play of 18 yards and three plays later, Clark capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run. The extra point put the Oilers on top 10-0.

Another turnover by Ohio Dominican, a fumbled exchange between quarterback Jake Byrd and running back Travis Whittaker, gave the Oilers the ball back, again with a short field.

A pair of penalties by ODU gave the Oilers 15 free yards, ultimately turning into a one-yard touchdown pass from Bornhorst to senior tight end MIke Rigerman. That 17-0 lead would extend into the half.

The Panthers only score of the game came thanks to their game-wrecker on defense, lineman Eddie Miller-Garrett. Miller-Garrett recorded a strip sack of Borhnorst with just over eight minutes in the third quarter. Findlay's defense stood, allowing just three yards, forcing a 33 yard field goal.

The Oilers final touchdown of the game came at the end of the third quarter, a four-yard completion to senior Cam Childers.

Findlay's defense was the big winner of the day, holding the Panthers to just 82 total yards, the 12th fewest yards allowed by the Oilers in program history and the fewest given up to ODU by Findlay in the history of the series.

There were many eye-popping numbers for the Oilers' defense including just six first downs allowed, 76 passing yards allowed, eight forced punts, and 48 plays allowed, but none may be as impressive as the fact the Findlay allowed ODU to gain just six yards on 20 attempts on the ground. It is the fewest rushing yards allowed to the Panthers by the Oilers in the history of the series.

With all the success on defense, which included holding ODU to just 1 of 13 on third down, Findlay dominated the time of possession battle, holding the pigskin for just over 40 minutes.

Leading the Oilers' dominating defense was senior Johnny Harris who was flying all over the field on Saturday to the tun of eight tackles including a half-tackle for loss and one pass breakup. Senior Brennan Perry had six tackles, one for loss, while freshman Gavin DeGroat had five tackles including a team-high three tackles-for-loss and a sack.

Offensively, Bornhorst finished 20-of-32 passing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Arrington was his favorite target, collecting 68 receiving yards on five receptions. Childers had 34 receiving yards and a touchdown while Rigerman had 30 yards and one score. In the win, Bornhorst spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different receivers.

Senior Brian Benson rushed 14 times for 69 yards while Bornhorst had 40 rushing yards and Clark had 30 and a touchdown.

Of note, Ohio Dominican's Eddie Miller-Garrett led the game with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, both of which set new school records for the Panthers.

Findlay remains just one game back of Tiffin for first place in the G-MAC, with a date with the Dragons coming on November 11 to close the regular-season. Before then, the Oilers face a tough road test as they travel to battle the Ashland Eagles on Saturday, Nov. 4. That game will kick off at 1:00 pm in Ashland, Ohio.