Listen HereOilers look to snap two-game skid
By Kevin Schrock
@KRock_6
For the third straight week the University of Findlay (2-4) will be playing at their home field of Donnell Stadium on Saturday. So far this season the Oilers have seen an uncanny amount of losses on their turf. They look to turn that around Saturday against the Hillsdale Chargers (3-2).
Coming into this season the Oilers had not lost three games at home since 2010. They have already reached that number in 2016 and will try to avoid eclipsing it Saturday.
“We have a big test,” said Findlay coach Rob Keys. “We’re going to find out what kind of coaching staff and what kind of football team we have moving forward after losing a couple games.”
The Oilers, who are 9-16 all-time against Hillsdale, managed to handle the Chargers each of the last two years. A year ago Findlay won by a final score of 45-34 and two years ago the final ended up 46-38.
Like the Oilers, Hillsdale comes into the game fresh off of a loss to Wayne State. The Chargers fell to the Warriors 41-30 before getting a week. Meanwhile, the Oilers also lost to Wayne State 37-21.
One thing to keep an eye on Saturday afternoon will be the turnover battle. In the Oilers’ last two losses they have given the ball away five times and haven’t managed to take it away once.
“You lose the turnover battle you lose the game, there’s no mystery to anything,” said Keys. “Right now we’re having a tough time not giving it away offensively, and defensively we’re not getting enough takeaways.”
Hillsdale has recovered four fumbles this season and snagged six interceptions. They’ve only given the ball away three times all season.
The offensive focus for the Chargers has been through the air. Their attack features sophomore quarterback Chance Stewart. He ranks second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing yards per game with 303.5, which is less than five yards more than Findlay quarterback Rhys Gervais. Sewart’s main target has been Trey Brock, who leads the GLIAC with 134 yards receiving per game.
The lone threat for the Chargers on the ground will be Joe Reverman. He averages 98 yards per game on the ground and has tallied five touchdowns.
The Findlay defense has their work cut out for them, but they have proven they are up to the task.
“We’re doing a better job stopping people and forcing them to punt,” said Keys. “In the past we hadn’t been able to force those punts.”
Despite the slow start, the Oilers have not yet hit panic mode, knowing there is a lot of season left.
“I told our guys there’s no sense in looking at our record because you can’t change it,” said Keys. “We just need to focus on how good we can be next week. At the end of 11 weeks, then you’re going to sit back and assess the season.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s GLIAC matchup and Homecoming game is at 2 p.m.
