The Game
Week 11 in the G-MAC means one thing for the Findlay Oilers, its' rivalry week. UF, ranked No. 9 in the country is headed to Tiffin, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 14 for the Battle of 224 against the Tiffin University Dragons. A once non-competative matchup has become a fierce rivalry as both programs often dual with playoff and conferece title implications. This year the Dragons, who have never lost to a nationally-ranked Oilers team, look to play spoiler again while Findlay attempts to win 10 regular-season games for a second consecutive season. Kickoff is set for noon.

The Series
Findlay holds a commanding 28-6 all-time series lead in "The Battle of 224," dating back to their inaugural meeting in 1986 when the Oilers cruised to a 35-3 road victory. While Findlay historically dominated the rivalry, highlighted by a massive 51-0 shutout in 2003 and a 16-game winning streak from 1994 to 2017, the matchup has been highly competitive in recent years. Since joining the G-MAC, the Oilers hold a 4-5 record in the series. Tiffin has claimed the last three matchups, most recently edging out Findlay 23-21 on November 15, 2025, with the Oilers' last triumph coming during a hard-fought 27-25 away victory in 2022.

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#9 Findlay Oilers (9-1, 7-1 G-MAC)

2026 Findlay Football Coaching Staff

The Findlay Oilers football team enters this week's regular-season finale against Tiffin with historic milestones on the line. A victory would mark their 10th win of the season, tying the program record for the most regular-season wins in the NCAA era. Furthermore, a win would secure back-to-back double-digit win campaigns for the first time since the 1996-97 seasons.

The backbone of Findlay's historic season remains one of the most dominant defenses in the country. The Oilers boast the No. 1 scoring defense in Division II, surrendering 9.8 points per game. They also rank second nationally in rushing defense (79.0 yards per game), third in total defense (224.1 yards per game), and sixth in team tackles for loss (8.6 per game). The unit is on the verge of making history: if they allow fewer than 10 points against Tiffin, it will be the fewest points surrendered through 11 games since 1995. Equally as impressive, holding the Dragons under 36 points will set a new NCAA-era program record for the fewest points allowed in a regular season.

That defensive disruption is spearheaded by a fierce front and an active secondary. Linebacker Jon Slaper leads the team with 65 total tackles, while defensive lineman Elijah Shankle is a constant force in the backfield, pacing the defense with 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. Linebacker Riley Caldwell continues to create critical turnovers, ranking 11th nationally with three fumble recoveries, and defensive back Christion Stokes anchors the secondary with 47 total tackles (including a team-high 33 solo stops).

On the other side of the ball, Findlay's offense is highly efficient, ranking 24th nationally in scoring (36.4 points per game) and 10th in overall completion percentage (67.0 percent). Quarterback Chase Harrison orchestrates the attack, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,983 yards and 17 touchdowns. His primary targets are Denny Furlong, who leads the team with 475 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, and Cameron Wright, who has hauled in a team-high 36 receptions for 425 yards and four scores. Running back Dominic Bennett powers the ground game with 681 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Special teams also continue to provide a significant edge in field position and scoring. The Oilers rank 10th nationally in kickoff return average at 26.1 yards per return, bolstered by a kickoff return touchdown from Bennett earlier this year. Wright is equally dangerous in the punt return game, ranking fifth in the country with a 14.4-yard average and taking two punts back to the house for touchdowns this season.

About the Opponent - (Tiffin 6-4, 5-3 G-MAC)

The Tiffin University Dragons enter this week's matchup looking to reset after back-to-back losses against Lake Erie College and Ohio Dominican. Long established as a Great Midwest Athletic Conference powerhouse, Tiffin features a stout, physical lineup built around a suffocating defense, an elite backfield presence, and controlling the line of scrimmage.

Offensively, the Dragons have utilized a two-quarterback system featuring Kyle Antoine and Cane Mack. Antoine has thrown for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns, while Mack has added 727 passing yards and five scores. The passing attack features returning all-G-MAC tight end Joey Zalewski, who leads the squad with 43 receptions for 485 yards and four touchdowns. Wideouts Jaedyn McKinstry (16 catches, 270 yards, 3 TDs) and Josiah Raber (23 catches, 252 yards, 3 TDs) provide reliable secondary options downfield.

The engine of the Dragons' offense remains star running back Ronald Blackman. A former AFCA All-American, D2CCA All-Region selection, and G-MAC Player of the Year, Blackman continues to set the standard in the conference, leading the G-MAC with 772 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 99.2 all-purpose yards per game. Running back Daniel Weems (312 rushing yards, 3 TDs) provides strong complementary depth on the ground.

Defensively, Tiffin is formidable, holding opponents to just 19.6 points per game while ranking 1st in the G-MAC in passing defense (146.7 YPG allowed). Tiffin also ranks 3rd nationally in 4th Down Conversion Defense (22.2%). Middle linebacker Lennox Williams anchors the middle, pacing the team and leading the G-MAC with 93 total tackles alongside 9.0 tackles for loss. Up front, edge rusher Popeye Williams leads the team and ranks fifth in the league with 10.0 tackles for loss, flanked by pass rushers Frank Bertram (5.0 sacks), Nick Crawford (5.5 sacks), and Radical Rothermel (4.5 sacks).

In the secondary, corner Jeremiah Moore leads the G-MAC with 1.33 passes defended per game, securing four interceptions and eight pass breakups. Opposite Moore, Clarence Brown (2 interceptions, 6 passes defended) and Isaiah Funches-Foster (2 interceptions) lock down opposing receivers. Special teams is spearheaded by Alex Schattin, who leads the G-MAC in punting average at 41.6 yards per punt, while kicker Ben Rudolph has chipped in 55 total points on the season.

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