ASHLAND — Three crucial turnovers told the tale in Ashland University’s 14-3 loss to arch-rival Findlay on Saturday afternoon.
The 15th-ranked Eagles fell to No. 9 Findlay at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field in a game where the Oilers clinched at least a tie for the 2025 Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship.
“If you’re minus-3 in turnover margin, there’s not many games you’re going to win in that situation,” Ashland coach Doug Geiser said.
Following a scoreless first quarter, Findlay struck first 1:41 into the second period when running back Jayden Farmer went in on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Then came AU’s first turnover, a fumble at its own 28. The undefeated Oilers (10-0) took full advantage, extending the lead to 14-0 when quarterback Chase Harrison found wide receiver Brennan Remy for a 3-yard score.
That made it 14-0 at halftime.
“Credit to Findlay,” Geiser said. “They did a tremendous job coming in and controlling the clock.
“I thought they won the war up front on both sides, and that’s usually a recipe for success if you can do that.
Trailing by two touchdowns for the first time all season, the Eagles had to wait until the 2:20 mark of the third quarter to cut into the deficit. Redshirt freshman kicker Manaki Watanabe‘s 32-yard field goal left Ashland trailing 14-3 – following a 17-play, 8:35 drive.
The Eagles caught a potential break by blocking an Oiler field goal in the fourth quarter, but AU’s third turnover two plays later sealed its fate.
“Football is a team game,” Geiser said. “What we had to do today is we needed to find a way to score more than 14 points, and we didn’t do that. You’ve got to find a way to execute, and we didn’t do a great job of that.
“Not a great job of preparation, and ultimately, that falls back on me.”
The Eagles are 8-2 overall, 7-1 in the Great Midwest after having their seven-game winning streak snapped.
Ashland yielded just 199 total yards to Findlay, but was a season-worst minus-3 on turnovers (two fumbles lost, one interception) and had nine penalties for 99 yards.
WRAPPING IT UP
- Sophomore linebacker Jack Talkington finished with 13 total tackles (five solo).
- Senior wide receiver Jent Joseph caught five passes for 84 yards.
NEXT UP
Senior Day on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at home vs. Lake Erie (2-8, 2-6).
(Photos by Tom Theodore)
