'This is something we've been waiting for for a long time'

University of Findlay football coach Kory Allen said that for most of this week, it was business as usual for the Oilers. But things might have changed a bit Thursday. Many of the college football teams across the country -- including UF's opponent on Saturday, Indianapolis – have already started their seasons. Findlay has had to wait just a little bit longer. "We're within 48 hours and this is something we've been waiting for for a long time," That opportunity will arrive Saturday at Donnell Stadium, when the Oilers host the Greyhounds at noon. The Oilers will enter the season with a brand new starting quarterback. Chase Harrison, a junior and transfer from Ball State (and before that spent two seasons at Marshall, where he saw minimal action) won the job in camp over returner Aidan Pratt. "Chase Harrison is a very intelligent young man and a great decision-maker and an outstanding athlete as well," Allen said of the Centerville, Ohio native, who is 6-2 and 201 pounds. "We're really excited about him." But Allen said Pratt will have a role for this year's team. "We're also very excited about Aidan Pratt, and everything that he's done in this program," Allen said. "So, both those guys had an outstanding battle during fall camp. We gave the slight edge to Chase, but both of those guys are gonna factor in for us as the season goes along." Findlay will certainly get a challenge in Week 1. Indianapolis is the 17th-ranked team in Division II, and is coming off a 45-21 win over crosstown rival Marian last week. Allen was asked if his team might have an advantage, getting to watch Indianapolis in game action. "I think that levels out. I think there's an advantage for them playing," Allen said. "You can practice and practice and practice, but playing is different than practice, so I think the advantage goes to them there. "We were able to watch (the Indianapolis game) and get a feel for who their personnel is, maybe what their flavor is this year. But the University of Indianapolis football team, over the course of time, is not one that's gonna change. They are who they are. They're an outstanding program, and it's certainly a tough test on Saturday." One of the biggest tests for Findlay's defense will be against Greyhound quarterback Gavin Sukup. The 2-time reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 380 yards, three touchdowns with no interceptions against the Knights last week. "He's an outstanding player," Allen said. "He's the one that makes it go for them." Findlay will counter that with some standout players in its secondary, such as Jayon Harvey and three time captain Johnny Harris. Harris is back after getting injured in last year's season opener against Truman State. "I think that's a formidable duo in the back end, along with other upper classmen Adonai Bumba and Christion Stokes," Allen said. The Trojans also have some other exceptional players returning on the defensive end. "I don't think you can talk about defense without talking about (linebacker and Findlay High graduate) Sam Weihrauch and (tackle) Londyn Claxton and some of those upper classmen in the core 7," Allen said. Allen said the Indianapolis defense also will pose some problems. "They fly around, they get to the football," Allen said of the Greyhounds' defense. They run, they hit, they tackle." Findlay will look to counter that with an offense that returns an experienced line, with Te'Jamere Nash, Ethan Lane, Bryon Faith and Gavin Miller all returning. One new starter to the Oilers offensive line is McComb graduate Nick Bormuth. Bormuth is tasked with replacing the G-MAC offensive lineman of the year in Yoeseph Carter. "Nick has done just a great job stepping in for Yoeseph Carter, and the moment's not too big for him," Allen said. "We're really excited to see him play." Bormuth will join Sam Weihrauch, defensive back Luke Weihrauch and other area players who are on this year's roster. "I think you always want to recruit your backyard first," Allen said. "We have a standard that we're looking for at each position, and we do not want to waver off of that standard. But if that standard is here, in the local area, then we need to pursue it and pursue it hard." This year's offense will have a number of key returners as the skill positions, including receivers Bryan Hunt and Delon Hurt. Also back at receiver are Mitch Nielsen and Elijah McLaughlin. At running back, standout Jayden Farmer returns, and Allen said the Oilers have plenty of impressive players there, such as Christian Davis, Dominic Bennett and Amari Felder. "I don't think our offense is based on getting the ball to a certain person X number of times," Allen said. "It is take what they give us and certainly stay aggressive and find out what it is that we do best, and I think it changes year to year, but it also has the opportunity to change week to week."