Playoff-bound Oilers set for clash with rival Dragons

University of Findlay football coach Kory Allen made an observation after his team's practice Wednesday, three days before his team was to host Tiffin University in the regular season finale. "Typically," Allen said, "there has been a lot on the line when this game has been played." Since 2019, the Great-Midwest Athletic Conference has scheduled the clash between the Oilers and the Dragons – who represent colleges separated by about 25 miles – for the last week of the season. In 2019, Tiffin defeated the Oilers, securing the G-MAC title and its first Division II playoff berth. Since then, Findlay and Tiffin have remained two of the top teams in the conference, and the rivalry between the programs has grown. Last season at Frost-Kalnow Stadium, TU toppled the Oilers, 37-14, and potentially prevented UF from a Division II postseason berth. This year, Findlay is undefeated, both overall and in the conference. The Oilers have already clinched a share of the G-MAC, and have already gained a berth in the Division II playoffs. Tiffin enters at 6-4 overall, 5-3 in the conference. Saturday will be the Dragons final 2025 game, no matter what. But both coaches are expecting an intense contest at noon Saturday at Donnell Stadium. "In college football, the last week is rivalry week," said Dragons coach Brett Ekkens. "We're excited to go play against them. We'll be prepared. We know they'll be prepared. That's why you play the football game. It's gonna be two good units against each other." Allen referred to Tiffin as "one of the best teams in the league." "They certainly have weapons," Allen said. "We've watched them all year in crossover tape, and now focusing solely on them, this is an excellent football team coming in here." For TU, it starts with the offense, and with its standout quarterback, Alex Johnson. "He checks every box you want as a quarterback," Ekkens said. The stats back that up. Johnson, a redshirt senior started his collegiate career at the University of Washington, was the G-MAC's Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. He has thrown for more than 2,700 yards while amassing 27 touchdown passes this season. What makes Johnson so effective? "He's a student of the game," Ekkens said. "He's worked incredibly hard, he's put in the time, the hours to prepare, week in and week out. He's been a good leader for our team. He's got a hand in what we're doing offensively, so he's really comfortable with our system." Johnson's top receivers, Emari White and Ethan Holbrook, have each caught at least 30 passes, with Holbrook registering 11 touchdowns. The Dragons running game is paced by Ronald Blackman, who is averaging 82 rush yards a game. That offense will be going against one of Division II's best defenses. Opponents are averaging about 11 points a game against the UF defense. "Findlay's got a great defense and they've been playing great football all year," Ekkens said. "We know that, we've watched all the games and we've been dialed into that throughout the season." While the UF offense doesn't have the eye-popping statistics of its D, it has been effective, especially in recent weeks. Oilers tailback Jayden Farmer has run for 632 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Chase Harrison is coming off some impressive games, and Mitch Nielsen – a Tiffin Calvert graduate – has almost 200 yards receiving and a touchdown. Last week against Ashland, Findlay was able to grind out some possessions and convert key first downs in a 14-3 win. Allen was asked if UF is expecting that kind of game again against the Dragons. "Each week seems like small season in and of itself," Allen said. "You don't know what it's going to take until the game begins to take shape. "Our job is to put as many points on the board as necessary to win a football game." Findlay is coming off one of its biggest wins in years, but Allen said he hasn't seen any signs of a letdown. To Allen, it's all about doing things right each week. "We're not gonna pretend that last week didn't happen, it did," Allen said. "But it gives us an opportunity to refocus." Oilers defensive back Jayon Harvey is expecting Tiffin to be ready. "I know they're gonna come out and try to end our hopes of an undefeated season," Harvey said. "We just want to come in with the same intensity we've had the whole season and keep trying to set the standard."