Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team took on Truman State on Saturday, September 2 in Donnell Stadium. It was the first time the Oilers had opened a season at home in seven years. The contest was tied at 10 through 30 minutes, but Truman outscored Findlay 10-0, handing the Oilers a 20-10 loss.
The matchup of the two teams who were receiving votes in the preseason national poll began in a stalemate. Findlay received the opening kickoff but were forced into a three-and-out. Four possession changes later, the Oilers got the ball on the on their own 25. The ninth play of the drive was a 22-yard touchdown on a catch by senior Mike RIgerman up the seam. The extra point put the Oilers ahead 7-0.
On the subsequent possession, Truman traveled 75 yards in 13 plays to tie the game in the second quarter.
Findlay was forced into a three-and-out and punted. The Bulldogs reached Findlay's 19-yardline and, on third down, senior Brennan Perry had a pass breakup, forcing a fourth-down field goal attempt. The 36-yard attempt was good, giving the team from Kirksville, Mo. A 10-7 lead.
The Oilers would tie the game at 10-10 when senior Brian Bartholomew nailed a 29-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in the first half.
Truman took control immediately to begin the second half. On a third-and-one, quarterback Nolan Hair found running back Mason Huskey in the flat. Huskey evaded the Oilers' defense and raced 66 yards for the touchdown.
Forced to punt, the Oilers gave the ball back to Truman with 11:01 to play in the third. The Bulldogs cashed in with a field goal to extend their lead to 20-10.
Findlay's next possession ended with an interception, but junior Johnny Harris got the ball back, collecting an interception of his own near the end of the third quarter. However, three plays later, Findlay was forced to punt.
The Oilers then went into the hurry-up and did manage to get the ball back after a big sack by senior Reggie Micheaux on a third-and-three. Another interception by TSU squandered another Findlay possession, ultimately leading to a ten-point defeat.
Junior Garret Clark carried the ball 11 times for 73 yards in the game while senior Brian Benson had eight carries for 28 yards.
Senior quarterback Alec Bornhorst finished 20-for-39 for 149 yards, one touchdown, and had two interceptions. The lone touchdown was thrown to senior Mike Rigerman who finished with four receptions for 51 yards. Findlay's leading receiver was transfer senior Cam Childers who had nine receptions for 53 yards in his Oilers debut.
Sophomore linebacker Sam Weihrauch was the leading tackler, picking up ten stops, including one-and-a-half tackles-for-loss in the game. Fellow sophomore Romaro Warren Jr. had eight stops including a pair of TFL and a sack while senior Grey Brancifort had eight tackles and 1.5 TFL.
Junior Johnny Harris and senior Jordan Grimes each had interceptions and one tackle-for-loss.
The Oilers will be back in action on Saturday, Sep. 9 when they travel to Pace University in New York, New York.
Postgame with the Coach
