No. 25 Oilers return home to face 4-4 Cavaliers

After consecutive conference victories, the University of Findlay football team received some national attention this week, returning to the Division II top 25. The Oilers, 7-1 and 5-1 in the G-MAC, were No. 25 in this week's American Football Coaches' Association national rankings. One of the biggest reasons for that has been the play of the UF defense, which – like the team as a whole – earned accolades this week. Oilers junior linebacker Romaro Warren was named the G-MAC Athlete of the Week after a dominant performance in Findlay's 34-17 win at Thomas More. Warren had 8 tackles – 4 ½ for a loss – and two sacks. The 6-foot-1 235-pounder from Lawrence, Ind., has been starting since his freshman year. This season, Warren has 48 tackles, 11 for a loss, 5 sacks and a fumble recovery. "You just continue to watch his growth," said Findlay head coach Kory Allen. "He's a football player, plain and simple. It's cliché but to say he has a nose for the ball is true. Everybody's got a job to do and an assignment, but, he knows how to get there. He's very athletic, physical, tough…everything we want in a Findlay football player." The coach said he's been impressed with the play of all of his veteran defenders this season, who have played a crucial role in bringing along some of the younger players. "We have upwards of eight-to-11 freshmen or true freshmen playing meaningful snaps and/or starting for us," Allen said. "I think it's a real testament to our upperclassmen that (the young players) have been able to get to that point so quickly, and our coaching staff." That defense figures to be tested on Saturday, when Findlay returns to Donnell Stadium to host the 4-4 Walsh Cavaliers. Walsh is 3-3 in the G-MAC, and features Cam Hollobaugh, an inside linebacker who was last season's G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year. "They've always been very, very good on defense," Allen said of Walsh. "What is interesting this year is how they've improved from an offensive perspective. I think they're a formidable opponent, and we look forward to the challenge on Saturday at Donnell." Allen said improvement has been a focus for Findlay, and he's been pleased with the results. "I think when you have a blend of veterans and youth on the field, we want to continue to improve," he said. "And the most encouraging thing about that is that we did that this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday."