Local Sports

Friday, October 16, 2009

GLIAC Football: UF out to determine its own destiny

By BRIAN LESTER

STAFF WRITER

Rain fell on a chilly November afternoon in 2006 as the University of Findlay football team walked off the field after a 33-15 loss to Michigan Tech at Donnell Stadium.

It was the final punch in the gut during a miserable 2-9 season.

Joe Knopick was a freshman at the time, and as bleak as the future seemed, the linebacker refused to hang his head.

"You always believe there is hope, and as bad as things were, we knew we had to keep working hard," Knopick said. "We have a lot of tough guys on the team and we had to overcome a lot to get to where we are now. We are finally seeing that hard work pay off."

It has paid off like a winning lottery ticket.

UF certainly feels it has hit the jackpot, sitting in a three-way tie for first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with Grand Valley State (6-1, 5-1) and Northern Michigan (5-1, 5-1).

The Oilers (6-1, 5-1 GLIAC) are ranked 18th in the nation in NCAA Division II, seventh in Super Region 3 and playing with the confidence it lacked over the previous three years when it had a combined record of 9-24.

"It is a very rewarding feeling," senior running back Melvin Jackson said. "We've been through a lot of times, especially the seniors, and now we have an opportunity to do something special."

The next opportunity comes at 7 p.m. Saturday under the lights of Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Mich. when the Oilers square off against eighth-ranked Lakers with an opportunity to jump into the driver's seat of the conference championship race. Northern Michigan will host Hillsdale in another pivotal matchup.

An estimated crowd of 10,000 is expected for the Homecoming clash. GVSU has won six conference titles and four national championships during the decade and had its 48-game regular-season win streak snapped with a 27-24 road loss to Hillsdale last week.

The Lakers are ninth Super Region 3.

"It's a thrill this game will be played on such a big stage," third-year UF head coach Jon Wauford said. "The guys will go into the game believing they have a chance to win it. It's a great opportunity for our football team."

Wauford was given the daunting task of getting this program back on track.

A Findlay native, Wauford served as UF's defensive coordinator in 2006 before replacing Dan Simrell as the head coach in 2007. He understood what it took to have a winning team, in part because he worked under Dick Strahm when UF won NAIA national titles in 1995 and 1997.

The turnaround wasn't easy. UF was 5-6 in 2007, 2-9 a year ago and is now assured of its first winning season since 2004.

"This obviously is a pat on the back for all of the hard work we've put into this season. It feels good to be ranked and have a shot at the playoffs. It means this team gets to experience what the Grand Valleys of the world get to experience every year."

GVSU head coach Chuck Martin isn't surprised by UF's rise.

"I had Findlay predicted to finish fourth in the league," Martin said. "They are a very, very good Division II football team. They are well-coached, athletic and physical. They crushed the team (Hillsdale) we just lost to and that gives you an idea of their chances in this one."

GVSU has registered 23 sacks and has forced 15 turnovers.

"They have talent all through that roster and their speed is a big concern," Wauford said. "We need to do our best to get their quarterback out of his comfort level and not allow the big plays," Wauford said. "Offensively, we have to be able to make plays and avoid mistakes."

The Oilers are averaging 404.1 yards per game and giving up 292.3. UF is second in the nation in turnover margin (plus 14).

Grand Valley State

Record: 6-1, 5-1 GLIAC.

Head Coach: Chuck Martin (67-6, sixth season)

Series: UF trails 9-2.

Key Players: QB Brad Iciek (107-of-168, 1,587 yards, 19 TDs, 0 INTs); RB James Berezik (109 carries, 652 yards, 2 TDs); RB P.T. Gates (55, 374, 2); WR Blake Smolen (25 catches, 460 yards, 5 TDs); LB Justin Victor (44 tackles, 4 sacks); SS Jacob McGuicken (42 tackles, 2 INTs); FS Zack Breen (38 tackles, INT); LB Brad Howard (34 tackles, INT); LB Ricky Shorkey (29 tackles); DL Danny Richard (22 tackles, 3 sacks).

Noteworthy: GVSU has not lost back-to-back GLIAC games since 2004 when it fell to Saginaw Valley (31-20) and Northwood (35-14). ... Lakers are not No. 1 in the country going into a game for the first time since Sept. 17, 2005 when it beat Ashland 14-10. ... Lakers have had six perfect regular seasons and hold the record for longest winning streak in NCAA Division II history at 40 games.

Lester: 419-422-5151,

Send an e-mail to Brian Lester

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