No. 14 Oilers beginning challenging stretch with Ohio Dominican

FINDLAY – The University of Findlay football team is 7-0 for the first time in 28 years. The Oilers are ranked 14th in the latest AFCA Division II poll. Kory Allen has said this is where the Oilers want to be, and where they have worked to be. But he adds that his squad remains focused on what matters. "We're doing a real good job of recognizing that all noise is the same, positive or negative," Allen said. It's just that. It's noise." Findlay now faces what appears to be the toughest stretch of the season. It hosts Ohio Dominican at noon Saturday, then has road games with Northwood and nationally ranked Ashland before finishing the regular season with Tiffin at Donnell Stadium. "Hard is here. Hard has arrived," Allen said. "We look forward to it." First up in the Panthers, who come to Donnell Stadium with a 3-3 overall mark and are 2-3 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Allen said the ODU record is deceiving. "I think that is probably the most irrelevant thing that is out there," Allen said. "When you look at this program, you see a toughness, a physicality." And that is especially true on defense. Ohio Dominican has – statistically – the best pass defense in the country. It allows an average of just 132.8 yards per game through the air. The Panthers don't go easy on the run, either. They are eighth in the country in total defense, allowing an average of 266 total yards a game. "Defense has been a calling card for Ohio Dominican for a good number of years," Allen said. "Their head coach (Kelly Cummings) is a defensive guy and does an outstanding job with that group." The Panthers' unit is led by lineman Jace Schaefer, who has 2 ½ sacks and 6 ½ tackles for a loss. Another lineman, Quentin Wagers, has five sacks, and back RJ Maddox has three interceptions. ODU will be facing a Findlay offense that seemed to find itself in the second half of a 28-0 win over Kentucky Wesleyan last week. Findlay led 7-0 at the half, and that was on a pick-six from defender Justin Finkbine. But in the second half, Findlay had three consecutive touchdown drives, with two scores from running back Jayden Farmer. Allen said the offense has had a good week of practice. "I think there was a renewed sense of focus and energy throughout the week," Allen said. "We had a really good week of prep on that side of the ball. We're excited to go out there and compete, and we understand that the task will be tall." ODU's offense hasn't been as consistent as its defense. It's averaging only 16 points a game, seventh in the G-MAC. It will be facing a UF defense that allows a little more than 10 points a game, and has given up one offensive touchdown in the last two games