Senior John Williams

The University of Findlay football team (7-3, 6-3) will be at home on Saturday, November 7 against Ashland University (5-5, 5-4) for the final time this regular season. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. inside Donnell Stadium.

Sights and Sounds

All Oilers football games can be heard on 100.5 FM “WKXA” or on the internet via their web site. A link to this process can be retrieved by clicking on the listen live icon on the WKXA site at www.wkxa.com. In addition, all Oilers football games can be heard on 88.3 FM “WLFC”.

For more information about WKXA, please click on the following link:

WKXA

88.3 FM “WLFC” will also carry games on the internet. You can listen to the broadcast by clicking on the following link:

WLFC

The University of Findlay will also broadcast all of their home football games on B2 Networks. The games can be viewed on your computer for a small fee by visiting B2’s website at the following address:

B2 Networks

UF athletics will also offer live stats for all home games. A link to this process can be retrieved by clicking on the live stats window located on the left side of the Oilers athletic website.

Live Stats

The Series

The Oilers and Eagles have been long rivals in a series dating back to the 1924 season. Overall, Ashland leads the all-time series, 21-14.

In the first meeting between the two schools, Ashland shutout the Oilers 33-0.

Last season, the Oilers fell 45-38 to the Eagles in Ashland, Ohio despite a record-breaking performance from Billy Noon who threw for a school record 364 yards and three touchdowns.

Mike Chambers meanwhile hauled in a school record 195 yards receiving on 12 catches. The previous record of 182 was held by Derek Hutchinson who accomplished the feat during the 1986 season against Tiffin University.

Melvin Jackson added a career-high 134 yards rushing on 31 carries with a touchdown and also had 50 yards receiving on four receptions with a score.

Head Coach Jon Wauford

Jon Wauford is currently in his third season as the head coach of The University of Findlay football team and has his squad off to a 7-3 start in 2009.

Last year, Wauford guided Findlay to a 2-9 record with a 1-9 mark in the GLIAC. Six of the nine losses came by eight points or less.

In his first season as a head coach, Wauford led the Oilers to a 5-6 record with a 4-6 mark in the GLIAC. A forfeit by Saginaw Valley State University gave Wauford the fifth win on the season and the fourth in the GLIAC.

In 2006, Wauford served as the Oilers assistant head coach and defensive coordinator under Dan Simrell.

A native of Findlay, who did his undergraduate studies at Miami University and graduate studies at UF, Wauford became the 27th head coach in the history of Findlay football with his new appointment.

Wauford began his coaching career at UF when he served as the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator from 1995-98. While at Findlay, he helped guide the Oilers to the NAIA Division II national championship in 1995 and the NAIA national title in 1997.

In 1999, Wauford headed to Miami University where he served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator at the start of the 2000 season. He helped guide the Red Hawks to a four-year record of 27-19, including a Mid-American Conference mark of 22-10 and two second place finishes in the East Division.

In addition, Wauford was responsible for recruiting Findlay High School and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the 2003 Mid American Conference Player of the Year, NFL Rookie of the Year and two-time NFL Super Bowl champion , to Oxford in 2000.

After his stop in Oxford, Wauford gained valuable experience coaching and teaching at the high school level as the offensive and special teams coordinator at Clinton (Iowa) High School in 2003. He also was a special education teacher during his time in the Clinton City Schools.

From there, he went to Kent State University, where he served as the defensive line coach and defensive run-game coordinator during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

For Findlay's 2009 coaching staff, please click on the following link:

2009 Coaching Staff

The Oilers

The Oilers fell 24-16 to nationally ranked Saginaw Valley State University last Saturday on the road.

As a team, the Oilers out-gained the Cardinals 294-286 as senior quarterback Andrew Beam completed 21-of-42 passes for 217 yards and a score.

Freshman running back Monterae Williams gained 77 yards on 23 carries while senior wide receiver Mike Chambers and junior wide receiver Dustin Zielaskiewicz each made six receptions.

Chambers finished with 53 yards receiving while Zielaskiewicz accumulated 47 yards and a pair of scores.

Junior wide receiver Jonathan Mora added four receptions for 49 yards while junior wide receiver DaJerrian Smith hauled in four catches for 53 yards.

Defensively, senior linebacker Joe Knopick had ten tackles while senior defensive back Anthony Fields and senior defensive lineman E.J. Whitlow had nine apiece.

For Findlay's 2009 season statistics, please click on the following link:

2008 Season Statistics

For Findlay’s 2009 roster, please click on the following link:

2009 Roster

Ashland Head Coach

Head coach Lee Owens is currently in his sixth season with the Eagles and has his team sitting at 5-5 on the year.

He was named the 2005 GLIAC Coach of the Year and came to Ashland after serving as the head coach at the University of Akron from 1995-2003. In 2000, Akron won a share of the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division title.

Before Akron, Owens served as an assistant coach at Ohio State (1992-95). While at OSU he helped the Buckeyes to a 27-8-2 mark and a Big Ten co-championship in 1993. Ohio State made appearances in the Citrus Bowl (1993, 1995) and Holiday Bowl (1994) during his stay in Columbus.

Owens went to Ohio State after a successful career as a prep coach. His career record in 11 seasons as a high school head coach is 89-32-2. He was the athletic director and head football coach at storied Massillon Washington High School from 1988-92. He led the Tigers to a 35-13 record and his 1989 and 1991 teams advanced to the state semifinals.

The Eagles

The Eagles are coming off of a 19-3 victory at home against Indianapolis last Saturday.

This is the first time the Eagles won a football game without scoring an offensive touchdown since Nov. 2, 1996, in Joliet, IL, when the Eagles used three Tim Seder field goals and an 81-yard kickoff return by Terrence Henton to subdue St. Francis, 13-3.

On the season, Billy Cundiff leads the offense and has thrown for 2,355 yards.

Cundiff has been very efficient, completing 65.7 percent of his passing attempts for 21 touchdowns against only one interception.

He has three receivers with over 500 yards receiving in Nick Bellanco (706), Joe Horn (588) and Christian Livingston (549).

For Ashland’s 2009 season statistics, please click on the following link

2008 Season Statistics

For Ashland’s 2009 roster, please click on the following link:

2009 Roster

Defense...Defense...Defense

The Oilers have been tough to score on in 2009 as they are only giving up 16.6 points per game to their opponents. The mark ranks third in the GLIAC and 13th in the nation.

In addition, the Oilers currently rank third in the GLIAC and 34th in the nation in total defense, allowing only 304.5 yards per game.

Findlay has proven to be quite successful against passing attacks, allowing only 153.6 yards per game through the air thus far. The total ranks third in the conference and 15th in the nation.

Picking Off Passes

The Oilers currently rank first in the GLIAC in interceptions, forcing 13 so far. The total is also the 39th best nationally.

Senior defensive back Anthony Fields and sophomore defensive back Ikechi Emeaghara have each accumulated three picks on the season, a total which ranks second in the GLIAC.

Racking Up Receiving Yards

Senior wide receiver Mike Chambers leads the GLIAC in receiving yards per game at 92.9. His yards per game is also the 17th best mark in all of NCAA Division II football.

On the season, Chambers has caught 53 passes for 929 yards and seven touchdowns. His 5.3 receptions per game is also the third best mark in the GLIAC.

The school record for receiving yards in a season at Findlay is 1,018 set by Derek Hutchinson during the 1986 campaign.

Last season, Chambers finished with a school record 74 receptions, racking up 915 yards in the process.

Tough In The Red Zone

The Oilers currently rank first in the GLIAC in red zone defense, allowing only 20 scores in 29 chances. They have also forced four turnovers in the red zone and have five lost possessions to their credit.

Forcing Turnovers

Overall, the Oilers +16 advantage in the turnover column is the top mark in the conference and the fourth best in NCAA Division II football.

Grinding Away

The Oilers are averaging 163.5 rushing yards per game, good for sixth in the GLIAC and 48th in the nation. They are being led by freshman running back Monterae Williams who currently ranks fourth in the GLIAC and 38th in the nation in rushing yardage per game at 87.4.

On the season, Williams has rushed 206 times for 874 yards and six touchdowns.

Airing It Out

The Oilers currently ranked fifth in the GLIAC in passing yardage per game at 200.7. They are being led by senior quarterback Andrew Beam who ranks fifth in the GLIAC at 190.1 passing yards per game.

Beam has thrown for 1,901 yards and ten touchdowns this season and his efficiency rating of 130.3 ranks seventh in the conference.

Tackling Machine

Senior linebacker Joe Knopick currently ranks fourth in the GLIAC and 16th in the nation in tackles per game at 10.7 and has registered a team-high 107 stops on the year.

3 Points

Junior kicker Cameron Stevens has made 12 field goals on the season, the fourth highest total in the GLIAC as well as the 20th best in the nation.

His 32 career field goals at Findlay is the best in school history.

Dominating The Ball

The Oilers currently rank fourth in the GLIAC and 24th in the nation in time of possession, controlling the ball for 32:08 per game.

Fumble Party

Senior linebacker Joe Knopick has pounced on five fumbles this season which ranks first in the GLIAC and fourth in the nation.

In addition, sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Cornell has forced three fumbles, also the best mark in the GLIAC. The total ranks 32nd nationally.

Getting After The Quarterback

Sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Cornell and senior linebacker John Williams currently lead the team and rank sixth in the GLIAC with 5.0 sacks on the season.

Batting Down Passes

Senior defensive back Anthony Fields currently ranks second in the conference and 35th in the nation with 12 passes defended.

In addition, sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Cornell ranks fifth with nine deflections while sophomore defensive back Ikechi Emeaghara ranks seventh with eight.

Booming Punts

Freshman punter Brian Schmeidebusch currently ranks first in the GLIAC and fifth in the nation in punting, averaging 41.7 yards per attempt.

GLIAC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Junior kicker Cameron Stevens was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday, October 26 after accounting for all nine points in the Oilers’ 9-6 win over Northern Michigan on Saturday, October 24.

Stevens hit on field goals of 19, 24 and 44 yards in the game. His 44-yard blast came with just over three minutes remaining in the game, giving the Oilers the victory.

GLIAC Defensive Player Of The Week

Senior linebacker Joe Knopick was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Monday, September 28.

Knopick earned the honor with 17 tackles and one fumble recovery in the Oilers 14-0 win at home over Northwood University on Saturday, September 26.

AFCA/NCAA Division II Poll

1. North Alabama - 10-0
2. Central Washington - 10-0
3. Northwest Missouri State - 9-1
4. Minnesota State-Mankato - 10-0
5. Grand Valley State - 9-1
6. Minnesota-Duluth - 9-1
7. Tarleton State - 9-1
8. Nebraska-Kearney - 9-
9. Midwestern State - 8-2
10. North Carolina-Pembroke - 8-1
11. West Liberty State - 9-1
12. Abilene Christian - 8-2
13. Albany State - 8-1
14. Carson-Newman - 8-2
15. Tuskegee - 7-2
16. Central Missouri - 8-2
17. Texas A&M-Kingsville - 8-2
18. California PA - 8-2
19. Bloomsburg - 8-2
20. Hillsdale - 8-2
21. Missouri Western State - 8-2
22. Saginaw Valley State - 8-2
23. Shippensburg - 8-2
24. Bentley - 8-1
25. Charleston - 8-2

Super Regional 3

Overall Record, NCAA Division II Record

1. Minnesota Mankato 10-0, 10-0
2. Minnesota Duluth 9-1, 9-1
3. Grand Valley State 9-1, 9-1
4. Nebraska-Kearney 9-1, 9-1
5. Saginaw Valley 8-2, 8-2
6. Hillsdale 8-2, 8-2
7. Bemidji State 7-3, 6-3
8. Wayne State (Nebraska) 7-3, 7-3
9. Findlay 7-3, 7-3
10. Winona State 7-3, 7-3

The top six teams in the regional poll at the end of the season will qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs.

For complete NCAA Division II football statistics, please click on the following link:

D II Stats

For information about the American Football Coaches Association, please click on the following link:

AFCA

For more information about NCAA Division II football, please click on the following link:

D2 Football

For more information on the GLIAC, please click on the following link:

GLIAC