Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay football team, ranked No. 12 in the country, played host to the No. 21 Minnesota State Mavericks on Saturday, Nov. 22 for postseason football, the first NCAA Playoff game in Donnell Stadium in the history of the program. A couple early miscues hurt the Orange and Black en route to a 37-14 loss.

With the defeat, UF finishes the season with a 10-2 record while Minnesota State, out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) moves on to the second round, now with a record of 9-3.

"It's tough whenever a season ends", commented head coach Kory Allen following the game. "This group took the University of Findlay and its' football program on a heck of a ride over the last couple months and that's a lot to be proud of."

Findlay opened the game with that ball and marched down the field uninhibited. On the fifth play of the game, sophomore Christian Davis broke free from 15 yards for a touchdown, putting the Oilers in front after just four minutes of play.

On the first defensive series, the Oilers, which boasted a top-ten defense in the country, made a stop and forced a field goal. The kick was short, but an offsides penalty gave the Mavs a first down and kept the offense on the field. Two players later, MSU scored a touchdown to tie the game.

Both teams' defenses made plays in the second quarter as neither the Oilers or Mavericks made much headway. Findlay forced a punt and got the ball back with 2:35 to play before the half but a quick three-and-out meant a punt for the Oilers. On the play, the ball was fumbled and recovered by MSU's Ian Burau who raced 30 yards to the end zone.

Minnesota State, which earned a trip to the NCAA DII Semifinals last season, was able to force a punt and score another touchdown in the final 1:28 of the half to take a 21-7 lead into the break.

The Oilers came out of the locker room and forced a punt in three plays, exactly what it needed down two scores to start the second half. But, on the second play of the offensive series, a tipped ball was collected by Mavericks defensive lineman Marcus Hansen. The ensuing drive, which started on the Oilers' 13-yardline, resulted in a field goal. A touchdown seven minutes later made the score 31-7 through three quarters, making a comeback a tall task.

Findlay did get one more touchdown in the fourth when a blocked punt was recovered by Marcus Medina for a score, but it was not enough as the visitors from Mankato, Minnesota went on to victory.

Quarterback Chase Harrison finished 14-of-20 for 151 yards through the air while senior Jayden Farmer, who has been a workhorse all season for the Oilers, carried the ball 14 times for 57 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Kevin Henderson finished with a game-high 13 tackles including 2.5 tackles-for-loss while fellow linebacker Sam Weihrauch had seven tackles, three of which were for loss. He finishes the year with 17.5 TFL, the most by a linebacker at Findlay in the NCAA era of the program and the most at UF since defensive lineman Dion Harvey had 21.0 back in 2007.

This ends a season during which Findlay accomplished many highs including a co-conference championship, the highest national ranking in the NCAA era of the program, the highest regional ranking in the NCAA era of the program, the first home NCAA DII Playoff game in program history, and the first AFCA Top-25 victory in program history.

About the season and his four-year career at Findlay, captain Sam Weihrauch summed it up simply, "It's been a pleasure. I wouldn't have it any other way."