No. 13 Oilers plow through Thomas More

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.-- It's often said that football is not about style points.You win or you lose. That's it.But first year University of Findlay coach Tyler Johns has a modified take on the issue.This year, the NCAA Power Index (NPI) will be factored in to which Division II teams make the playoffs.A number of factors play into the NPI, and Johns is the first to admit he hasn't quite figured out how it works just yet. But he does know one thing."We want to give ourselves the best opportunity to make the playoffs," he said.That means winning games big could make a difference.And if it does, the Oilers made a solid case with Saturday's performance at Thomas More.Findlay's quarterbacks -- Chase Harrison and Andrew Leonard – each threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. UF's defense was it's usual dominant self and the No. 13 Oilers raced to a 49-0 victory over the Saints.Over the last two games – against Walsh and Thomas More – Findlay has outscored its opponents 98-3."We did the things that we needed to today," Johns said after UF improved to 8-1, 6-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. "I think there was certainly plenty to clean up, plenty of things that we have to continue to improve on and get better about, but all in all, I was really proud of the guys."The first six times the Findlay offense touched the ball, it came away with points.The Oilers got the opening kickoff and went right down the field. On a fourth-and-goal from the Thomas More 1, Harrison took a shotgun snap and ran to the end zone for his third rushing TD in the last two weeks.The Saints responded with an effective drive, moving the ball into Oilers territory.But with a first-and-10 from the UF 33, the Saints' Kayleb Wagner was hit by Findlay's Dion Franklin and fumbled. The Oilers' Peyton Brock recovered.UF turned the turnover into a 20-yard field goal by Zachary Barzd, and the Oilers led 10-0 with 14:08 left in the first half.Soon after, Findlay's defense created another takeaway.This time, Oilers defensive back Christion Stokes intercepted Thomas More quarterback Ben Chesser at the Saints 34.Four plays later, UF was back in the end zone when Harrison completed a 15-yard pass to Cameron Wright. Danny Stoddard ran in a 2-point conversion, and the Oilers extended their lead over the Saints to 18-0.Barzd added another short field goal just before halftime, and Findlay went to the break up 21-0.Which is just where the Findlay defense loves to be."It just allows your defense to really kind of tee off there," Johns said.Findlay did. It sacked Chesser four times, and had seven tackles for a loss.Elijah Shankle led the Oilers with 1 ½ sacks.Johns said that every week, someone different steps up for UF."I'm just excited for what (Shankle's) able to do for us, for sure," he said. "That's the part that makes our defense so dangerous. There's so many different guys that can beat you."Findlay's offense, meanwhile, was just as dangerous Saturday.Stoddard caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Harrison about halfway through the third quarter. Later in the period, Denny Furlong hauled in a 31-yard scoring strike from Leonard.It was another big day for Furlong, who had seven catches for 98 yards, both team highs.Leonard added a six yard touchdown throw to Caleb Miller in the fourth, then registered a six-yard touchdown run.Findlay had a solid day on the ground, with the team going for 135 yards on 19 attempts. With tailback Christian Davis available but dealing with some injuries, and Dominic Bennett also banged up, the Oilers turned to another back, Jordan Mathews.Mathews carried the ball nine times for 80 yards, and caught four passes for 21.Harrison and Leonard were each sacked twice, but Johns was pleased with the offensive operation."I thought our o-line played a really good game," he said. "They, for the most part, kept the quarterbacks clean. I was happy with what we saw."Thomas More fell to 2-5, 2-7 in the G-MAC. Kamalie Pemberton led the Saints offense with a 47-yard reception, and nine carries for 47 yards on the ground.Findlay has two games left in the regular season. Northwood continues to lead the league, with a 7-0 conference mark. The Timberwolves beat Ashland 45-42 Saturday.Findlay will be back at Donnell Stadium this Saturday, hosting Lake Erie at noon.The Storm just scored a 21-14 upset win at Tiffin, and are 4-5. 2-5 in the G-MAC.