University of Findlay

Findlay, Ohio - The University of Findlay football team wrapped up the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Nov.11, suffering a 26-7 loss at the hands of the #14 Tiffin University Dragons. With that defeat the Oilers end their year with a 7-4 record for the second consecutive year and post a 6-3 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Tiffin, on the flip side, improves to 11-0 overall and caps a perfect 9-0 record in the conference, winning the league title outright.

Head Coach Kory Allen said after the game, "There's certain things in our game that we didn't execute well enough to find ourselves on the right side of this one."

Tiffin, which including today still has just four wins against the Oilers in 32 tries, forced a punt on their opening defensive series, but that punt was downed at the three, giving the Dragons a 97-yard field in front of them to begin the day. A penalty backed TU up to the two, but two plays later, disaster for Findlay came when running back Devin Nelson broke free, scampering 88 yards down field, the longest rush allowed by Findlay in program history. That rush set up the Dragons' inside the ten and two plays later, Tiffin had their first score. A missed extra point made it 6-0.

That lead was extended to 13-0 when, set up with a short field after a Findlay fumble, the Dragons punched it in from two yards out as the first quarter ended.

Findlay put together a solid drive to begin the second with the big play coming on a 44-yard rush by junior Garret Clark. The Oilers would reach Tiffin's 12 yard line and faced a 4th and 1. Quarterback Alec Bornhorst was stopped short on a run up the middle, giving the Dragons the ball.

Tiffins next drive was cut short on an interception by senior Jeremiah Jackson, but fittingly, the Dragons got a pick of their own four plays later. That interception was returned for a touchdown and put the Green and Gold ahead 19-0.

A scoreless third quarter led to the fourth in which the Dragons got the first points, leading 26-0 with 14:50 to play in the game.

After traded possessions, Findlay finally got on the board, capping a 94 yard drive with a rushing touchdown by Bornhorst.

The Oilers did recover the following onside kick, but it was not enough as the Dragons forced a turnover on downs and went on to bleed the clock.

Tiffin, the league's top offense, picked up 355 total yards to 280 for Findlay. 255 of those yards came on the ground against the Oilers which, before today, boasted the top rushing defense in the G-MAC. But, Findlay did often bend but not break with the Dragons who had scored more than 45 points per game coming into the contest.

"Our defense played lights out all day long, continuing to get off the field, battling short fields at times", said Head Coach Kory Allen. "They did an unbelievable job and I'm proud of their effort."

As they have done all year, the Dragons won the turnover battle 3-to-1, improving to a Division II best +21 in that category.

Bornhorst finished the game 17-for-33 through the air for 188 yards and threw two interceptions. He was sacked four times, the most in a game this season.

On the ground, Clark led the way with 65 yards on eight carries while senior Brian Benson had 19 yards on eight carries. Bornhorst scored the lone touchdown of the day on the ground.

Senior tight end Mike Rigerman finished the day with five receptions for 70 yards including an incredible one-handed grab in the second half. With those 70 yards, Rigerman passes Darrell Ramsey (1996-99) for the most receiving yards by a tight end in program history, ending his time at UF with 1,807 yards.

About Rigerman, Coach Allen said, "Mike Rigerman is a winner. He came to us from Arcade, NY, turning down a late (Division I) offer to stay committed to us and we're glad he did. He graduates here with more yards, touchdowns, and receptions than any tight end in history, and we've played football here for 120 years. I hope he gets a chance in an NFL camp because he certainly deserves it."

Sophomore Romaro Warren Jr. led Findlay's defense with 11 tackles in the game including one tackle-for-loss. Senior Grey Brancifort was good, as well, making eight tackles including three tackles-for-loss and one sack. Sophomore Sam Weihrauch made seven tackles, finishing the year with 76 which ranks fourth in the conference.

2023 marks the 12th time in 13 years that Findlay has finished the season with a winning record.