Oilers' defense dominates in drubbing of Storm

PAINESVILLE -- The University of Findlay's football team took a little while to get going Saturday against Lake Erie College.But the Oilers defense was stifling all day long – it had a touchdown and limited the Storm to 1.6 yards a rush – and UF improved to 3-0 with a 33-3 romp over the Storm in the G-MAC opener.Things didn't start well for Findlay. It lost starting quarterback Chase Harrison to injury on its second offensive series, and trailed Lake Erie 3-0 after the first quarter.But behind backup quarterback Andrew Leonard, the Oilers battled back. Leonard connected with Tristan Cross for a 2-yard touchdown with 5:58 left in the half, then went up 10-3 when Zachary Barzd converted a 43-yard field goal in the final half minute before the break.The second half was all Oilers.About halfway through the third quarter, punter Owen Clevenger – a Findlay High graduate – kicked from the 39 yardline, and forced the Storm's Curtis Thomas to field the kick at his own 1.But Thomas muffed it, and Findlay's Samuel Lawanson recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.A 29-yard field goal by Barzd with 12:03 left in the game made it 20-3. With 7:15 left, Findlay's Izzy Ogunmoyero intercepted Lake Erie quarterback Brady Clark, and returned it 50 yards for a pick-6.That was the exclamation point on another outstanding effort from the UF defense. Linebacker Sam Weihrauch – another Findlay High grad-- finished with five tackles,1 ½ for a loss, and was credited with half a sack. Defensive back Christion Stokes had two tackles for a loss, and defensive tackle Londyn Claxton had 1 ½.Leonard finished 17 of 26 passes for 195 yards. He ended his day by throwing a 5-yard touchdown to Denny Furlong with less than two minutes left. Leonard threw one interception, which was grabbed by Lake Erie's Chris Payne.For Findlay, Dominic Bennett ran the ball 10 times for a team-leading 50 yards. UF's Brennan Remy caught seven passes for 73 yards.For Lake Erie (0-3), Clark completed 18 of 29 passes for 177 yards. Oilers defenders sacked him three times. Enrique Olmos' 37 yard field goal in the first quarter accounted for the Storm's only points.UF will host Thomas More at 7 p.m. Next Saturday at Donnell Stadium.Lake Erie will host Tiffin University next Saturday at 4 p.m.