The Game
Findlay has jumped to No. 9 in the national rankings ahead of the first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contest of the year. The Oilers hit the road and head to Owensboro, Ky. for a date with the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers. Due to high temperatures expected in the area, kickoff for the game has been moved to 10am CT | 11 am EST.

The Series
This is a nine-game all-time series between Findlay and Kentucky Wesleyan, with Findlay holding an undefeated 9-0 overall record and a 4-0 mark on the road. The series began in 2017 with a 68-14 victory for the Oilers, which remains the largest margin of victory in the series. The most recent meeting took place in 2025, resulting in a 28-0 win for Findlay.

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#9 Findlay Oilers (2-0, 0-0 G-MAC)
2026 Findlay Football Coaching Staff

The University of Findlay football program enters Week 3 carrying a 2-0 record and a top-10 national ranking at #9 in Division II. After making a national statement with a 30-10 road victory over #9 UIndy in the opener, the Oilers protected home turf at Donnell Stadium with a 37-17 win over Fairmont State.

While the offense worked through some sluggish stretches in Week 2 compared to its explosive Week 1 performance, the victory over Fairmont State was one that showed the well-rounded nature of the Oilers' roster. When the offense was working through its struggles, the other two phases stepped up in support. Special teams provided crucial field position through a dangerous return game averaging 18.1 yards per punt return and 28.3 yards per kickoff return, including a 58-yard punt return touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense generated key takeaways and stops, helping Findlay maintain a +4 turnover margin over its first two games.

Statistically, the Oilers boast one of the most balanced profiles in Super Region 3 through two games. The offense is generating 33.5 points and 392.0 total yards per game, led by a punishing ground attack averaging 188.5 rushing yards per contest at 5.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Chase Harrison and the passing game have added 203.5 yards per outing with four touchdowns through the air. His favorite target has been fifth-year senior Delon Hurt who leads the G-MAC in total yards (205) and receptions (14) while ranking second in receiving touchdowns with three.

Defensively, Findlay has been suffocating, allowing just 13.5 points and 241.0 total yards per game. The defensive front has completely erased opposing ground games, limiting teams to just 77.0 rushing yards per game on 2.1 yards per carry, while collecting seven sacks and snatching four interceptions. Jon Slaper has emerged as a critical component of that unit, leading the team with 21 tackles through two weeks. Defensive lineman Carl Biddings, who had three sacks against Fairmont State, has generated pressure consistently and will continue to be a disrupter as the Oilers get into league play.

About the Opponent – Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (0-2, 0-0 G-MAC)

Under fifth-year head coach Tyrone Young, the Kentucky Wesleyan football program continues its pursuit of momentum amidst a challenging rebuilding stretch. While Young previously guided the Panthers to a four-win campaign and a school-record three conference victories earlier in his tenure, Kentucky Wesleyan faces a steep hill to climb as it prepares for Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. The Panthers have not entered the win column since defeating Northwood in 2024, a skid that now spans 17 straight losses. However, with new offensive coordinator Anthony Payton bringing fresh energy to the staff, Young's group remains intent on snapping the streak and reshaping the program's trajectory.

Kentucky Wesleyan enters the week at 0-2 after non-conference setbacks to Kentucky Christian and William Jewell. The Panthers are averaging 19.0 points and 263.0 total yards per game while yielding 39.5 points and 385.5 yards to opponents. Self-inflicted errors and ground-game struggles have been early obstacles; Kentucky Wesleyan has surrendered eight sacks, committed 27 penalties for 198 yards, and generated just 51.5 rushing yards per game at 2.0 yards per carry, contributing to a -3 turnover margin and a time of possession of 25:43.

Despite the early results, the Panthers possess a genuine threat in a quick-strike passing attack that can catch defenses off guard. Kentucky Wesleyan is averaging 211.5 passing yards per game, utilizing quarterback Tyler Thompson alongside Mason Griffin to stretch the field. The offense demonstrated its explosive potential against William Jewell, stringing together consecutive scoring drives—highlighted by a 36-yard touchdown strike to Brant Williams and a red-zone punch from back Dominick Hollis—to hold a halftime lead. With big-play receivers like Ja'Mere Smith and Zavion Harris capable of creating separation, the Panthers have the skill-position talent to strike suddenly from anywhere on the field.

Defensively, Kentucky Wesleyan features an aggressive front and secondary that excels at making plays. The Panthers have forced three interceptions and recorded four sacks through two games, consistently making opposing offenses feel a little uncomfortable. If Kentucky Wesleyan can clean up some penalties and stay on schedule offensively, that disruptive passing defense and passing capability make them a far more dangerous threat than their record suggests.

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