FINDLAY, Ohio – On a night when career offensive milestones were reached, the Ohio Dominican defense stole the show in the Panthers' 14-10 football win at Findlay Saturday night.

On a rain-soaked evening, the Black & Gold scored the first 14 points and forced three Oiler turnovers in the second half to secure their first 4-0 start since 2014. This spring marks the program's third 4-0 start in its Division II era.

MILESTONE MOMENTS

• Redshirt junior Evan Ernst (Mason, Ohio) moved over 5,000 career passing yards during the contest.
• Ernst is the fourth player in school history to reach the passing plateau.
• Senior Frederick Pitts V (Huber Heights, Ohio) topped 1,000 career rushing yards.
• Pitts becomes the ninth player in program history to gain 1,000 yards on the ground.

BOX SCORE NOTES

• Findlay held a decisive 342-192 advantage in total offense, as the Panthers were held to just 14 yards in the second half.
• The Panther defense though, registered three takeaways, while ODU only turned the ball over once on a special teams play.
• Ernst completed 15-of-19 passes for 129 yards.
• Redshirt junior James Morgan (Columbus, Ohio) led the receiving corps with seven catches for 63 yards.
• On the ground, freshman Travis Whittaker (Gahanna, Ohio) paced the Panthers, averaging 4.3 yards per carry (8 att., 34 yards).
• Defensively, redshirt freshman Michael Powers (West Mansfield, Ohio) tallied a team and career high with 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
• Senior Desdamon Lake (Youngstown, Ohio) added an ODU career high 11 stops, while three other Panthers pitched in seven-plus stops.
• Making four tackles and a team-best 2.5 for loss was junior Jaylin Garner (Shaker Heights, Ohio).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Great Midwest's top two defenses showed out in the first quarter, as neither offense could gain any momentum. The game went to the second stanza in a 0-0 stalemate.
• Ohio Dominican was first on the scoreboard as an 11-play, 66-yard drive was capped with a two-yard touchdown run from Whittaker.
• After solid defense and special teams play, especially punting efforts from senior Jed Quackenbush (Newark, Ohio), the Panthers took advantage of a short field for their second score of the night.
• Ernst rushed in from eight yards out with less than four minutes remaining in the first half to give ODU a 14-0 lead.
• In the second half, ODU had just one of its eight drives go for more than 10 yards.
• Junior cornerbacks though, Ashton Gilkey (Westerville, Ohio) and Godwin Joe (Cleveland, Ohio), both recovered fumbles in the third quarter to keep the Oilers off the scoreboard.
• With Findlay driving again early in the fourth frame, sophomore Dante Abrams (Maple Heights, Ohio) picked off a pass in the end zone for his first collegiate interception.
• The Oilers finally broke through with a touchdown with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
• The ensuing kick-off saw the Panthers fumble the return, which set up a 38-yard field goal for UF with 2:08 left to play.
• A quick three-and-out and short punt gave the Oilers possession on the ODU 40-yard line with 1:38 showing on the scoreboard.
• After completing a pass for six yards on 2nd & 10, Findlay opted to spike the ball to save time, but it brought up a fourth down play. Abrams made the stop inbounds to force the UF spike.
• Down to its last chance, Findlay's 4th & 4 pass attempt was broken up by Joe, securing the win for ODU.
• Joe made three pass breakups in the game to go along with his fumble recovery.

UP NEXT

• With the win, Ohio Dominican will now play in a de facto conference championship game on Saturday, April 17.
• ODU will host Tiffin, as the two sides enter a combined 7-0 in G-MAC play this spring.
• A win over Tiffin would secure, at worst, a share of the conference championship for the Panthers.
• Kick-off is slated for noon at Panther Stadium.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu