Rueve catches TD pass, Findlay moves to 8-1 by beating Walsh

For all the things University of Findlay quarterback Matthew Rueve has accomplished this season, there's one thing he had never done until Saturday. Not in college, not in high school, not ever. "I've never caught a touchdown pass," Rueve said after the Oilers 28-17 Great Midwest Athletic Conference win over Walsh. In the third quarter, with UF leading the Cavaliers 14-10, the transfer from Boston College got his chance. With the ball at the Walsh 16, Findlay receiver Mitch Nielsen took the snap, rolled right, then threw back to his left, where Rueve was waiting. The quarterback eluded defenders, even using a stiff-arm on one, and bounced into the end zone. "We carried that one for a couple of weeks now," Rueve said of the play call. "I knew that if we had the opportunity … that I knew we were gonna get the job done." Findlay coach Kory Allen said using a trick play is all about timing. "There's rhythm and feel to when you call them," Allen said after the Oilers improved to 8-1, 6-1 in the G-MAC. "That seemed like the right spot and the right time. It's always a good call when it works." Rueve completed 18 of 31 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 69 yards on five carries – including a 45-yard dash that set up his TD pass to Brycen Yarmo in the third quarter. Rueve completed passes to eight receivers Saturday. "You've got such great weapons around you," Rueve said. "I'm able to throw to more than just a few guys. Having that many weapons is unbelievable, and that includes the o-line." Rueve also was aided by tailback Jayden Farmer, who carried the ball 23 times for 139 yards and two scores. Farmer has emerged as a real threat for the Oilers, rushing for 637 yards this season, with seven touchdowns. "He runs square and downhill," Allen said of the tailback, "and he's a finisher." But as good as the offense was at times Saturday, it had some rough moments. Findlay's offense went right down the field and scored on its opening possession. But it didn't score again until the second half, and lost two fumbles. UF's defense picked it up with a dominant first half, in which it yielded only a field goal by Walsh's Trent Doerfler. "We prepared well," said Oilers' linebacker Sam Weihrauch, a Findlay High graduate. "We had some issues throughout the game, but we were able to come back, fix it and play well." Walsh did some good things offensively in the second half. Receiver Trey Martin ended with seven catches for 127 yards, and the Cavaliers did score a pair of second half touchdowns –each on runs by tailback Cameron Macon. But the UF defense made the plays when it needed to. Weihrauch had five tackles and a sack. Freshman linebacker Jon Slaper recorded a team-high 11 tackles – 5 ½ for a loss – and two sacks. Sophomore strong safety Isaiah Kenny added nine tackles and junior Londyn Claxton added 2 ½ sacks. "What a credit to our defense as a whole, our defensive coordinator (Thomas Rebholz) and our defensive coaching staff," Allen said, "and, of course, the players who executed the plan. The Oilers – who are ranked No. 25 in Division II -- have two games remaining on the regular season. They host Northwood next week, then finish at Tiffin. "We're gonna enjoy this win, and then we're gonna come back and work at it the next week," Weihrauch said. "Take it one play, one game at a time." Walsh 0 &emsp;&emsp;3 &emsp;&emsp;7 &emsp;&emsp;7 – 17 Findlay 7 &emsp;&emsp;0 &emsp;&emsp;14 &emsp;&emsp;7 – 28 FIRST QUARTER UF – Jayden Farmer 11 run (Cameron Shirkey kick) SECOND QUARTER W – Trent Doerfler 33 field goal THIRD QUARTER UF –Brycen Yarmo 4 pass from Matthew Rueve (Shirkey kick) W – Cameron Macon 7 run (Doerfler kick) UF – Rueve 16 pass from Mitch Nielsen (Shirkey kick) FOURTH QUARTER UF – Farmer 7 run (Shirkey kick) W – Macon 2 run (Doerfler kick)