Oilers have a big day in Ashland

ASHLAND – The University of Findlay football team took a perfect record to Ashland on Saturday.And the Oilers played a near perfect game to keep that spotless record intact.UF scored on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter and used a dominating defensive effort to beat Ashland 14-3 in a Greater Midwest Athletic Conference battle of nationally-ranked co-leaders. Findlay, 10-0 overall, 8-0 in GMAC play and ranked No. 9 in the NCAA Division II polls, clinched at least a share of the 2025 GMAC championship. By virtue of that -- plus the tiebreaker Findlay holds over Ashland, the Oilers will receive the league's automatic bid to the Division II playoffs. "This is a team... in the NCAA era, we are moving into uncharted waters," said UF head coach Kory Allen. "We need to be able to navigate those as coaches and players." The Oilers can earn the title outright and cap an unbeaten regular season Saturday when they host Tiffin University (6-4, 5-3 GMAC) in noon showdown at Donnell Stadium.Ashland suffered its second loss in 10 games and fell to 7-1 in the GMAC.Ashland had an advantage in first downs (16-4) and total offense (254-199). UF played errorless football, though – no fumbles, no interceptions – while Ashland turned the ball over three times.One of those turnovers capped a 14-point second quarter that put UF in control.Already up 7-0, Findlay got the ball back in great field position when Christion Stokes forced and recovered an Ashland fumble at the Eagles 23-yard line. Chase Harrison, who converted three clutch third down situations on UF's previous drive, did it again when he fired a 6-yard strike to Donovan O'Leary at the Ashland 15. Following a pass interference call on Ashland and two defensive stops by Ashland, Harrison hit Brennan Remy for the score, putting UF up 14-0 with seven minutes left in the half. "Obviously, getting a lead early is always fantastic," Allen said. "Hats off to our defense for forcing three turnovers, and they were forced. We forced those turnovers with a lot of strain and contact out there. Ashland would get a 32-yard field goal from Manaki Watanabe in the third quarter, and would have other second-half threats. But Londyn Claxton recovered an Eagles' fumble early in the third quarter, Jon Slaper batted down a fourth-down pass to snuff a threat mid-way through the fourth and Jayon Harvey intercepted a pass that allowed the Oilers to take possession and run out the clock. It was an outstanding performance, with different UF defenders stepping up. "That is a tell-tale sign of a great defense, the ability to get off blocks, make plays and trust your teammates," Allen said. Findlay's stats were not overwhelming, just very effective.Harrison was 7-of-9 passing for 77 yards and added 29 yards on nine carries. The junior quarterback out of Centerville High School, was especially clutch on UF' first scoring drive, connecting with Denny Furlong for 25 yards on a third-and-6 play, Remy for 12 yards on a third-and-8, and Jakar Williams for 16 yards on a third-and 15 to the 1. Jayden Framer, who led the Oilers with 77 yards rushing, punched it in from there. "This game was gonna be about defenses, and which offense made the fewest mistakes and established the run game," Allen said.Furlong's three catches for 40 yards were the team high. Defensively, Johnny Harris led UF with eight tackles and Kevin Henderson had seven. Findlay High grad Sam Weihrauch had three, including one tackle for loss. Another FHS grad – Owen Clevenger – also gave UF a huge defensive boost. With the Oilers backed up deep in their own territory late in the second quarter, UF was able to flip the field when Clevenger uncorked an 86-yard punt. "He absolutely obliterated the football," Allen said. "All three phases contributed." Findlay 0 14 0 0—14Ashland 0 0 3 0—3 SECOND QUARTERUF – Farmer 1 run (Barzd kick)UF – Remy 3 pass from Harrison (Barzd kick) THIRD QUARTERASH – Watanabe FG, 34 yards ASH UFFirst Downs 16 14Rushes-yards 22-84 49-122Passing Yards 170 77Comp-Att-Int 17-29-1 7-9-0Punts-Avg. 3-34.7 4-42.2Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2Penalties-Yards 9-99 6-70INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING – Findlay, Farmer 25-77, Davis 10-32, Harrison 9-29. Ashland, Maloney 12-55, Cameron 9-45.PASSING – Findlay, Harrison 7-9-0, 77 yards. Ashland, Cameron 17-29-1, 170 yards.RECEIVING – Findlay, Furlong 3-40, Williams 1-16, Remy 2-15, O'Leary 1-6. Ashland, Joseph 5-84, Merrimee 4-26, Croom 2-18, Maloney 3-15, Brennan 2-16.