OWENSBORO, Ky. – The nationally ranked No. 25 University of Findlay Oilers were too much for the Kentucky Wesleyan College football team, falling 69-19 in their season opener and first Great Midwest Athletic Conference match up of the season.
The Oilers held a 9-0 lead and were threatening in the red zone before Alijah McGhee shocked the Oiler offense with an interception nearly in the end zone. Less than four minutes later, McGhee struck again with an interception at Findlay's own 30-yard line on their first play of the drive. The freshman added a nine-yard return to set up a Mike McGee to De'Ondre Boggs 21-yard touchdown pass to put Wesleyan on the board. Chris Logsdon's extra point attempt was good to make it 11-7 at the end of the first frame.
The Oilers didn't let up in the second, putting up 17 points including a fumble recovering in the end zone to take a 28-7 lead to the break.
Wesleyan made some noise midway through the third quarter. Findlay began their drive at their own 35-yard line but the drive did not last long as Shedrick Kirk came up big with a pick six for the Panthers to cut the deficit to 35-13. Findlay scored a touchdown on their next five drives to put the game out of reach for the Panthers.
McGee and Boggs connected once again in the fourth quarter, this time for a 50-yard completion to get inside the Findlay red zone. Dylan Byrd took over from there with three consecutive carries to punch it in for his first touchdown as a Panther.
Boggs led the Panther receivers with 80-yards on three catches while Corey Johnson Jr. led the running backs with 20-yards on the ground. McGee finished with four completions for 92-yards while Dessi Austin was 1-2 for 8-yards.
Ty Martin-Miles anchored the Wesleyan defense with 18 total tackles, 15 of which were solo. Devyn Bledsoe, James Todd and Kyle Hurt each tallied seven.
Taylor Soper averaged 34.1-yards per punt including two over 50-yards with 9 punts over 307-yards. Logsdon reached 336-yards on six kick offs for an average of 56.0 per kick.
The Panthers take a break in G-MAC action the next two weeks as they head to Quincy University on Sept. 8 then return home on Sept. 15 to host Kentucky State.
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