Findlay Oilers football
| Findlay Oilers football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1892[1] |
| Head coach | Tyler Johns 1st season, 0–0 (–) |
| Stadium | Donnell Stadium (capacity: 8,200) |
| Year built | 1928 |
| Location | Findlay, Ohio |
| NCAA division | Division II |
| Conference | G-MAC |
| NAIA national championships | |
| NAIA: 1997 NAIA Division II: 1979, 1992, 1995 | |
| Colors | Black and orange[2] |
| Website | findlayoilers.com |
The Findlay Oilers football team represents University of Findlay, located in Findlay, Ohio, in NCAA Division II college football.
The Oilers, who began playing football in 1892, compete as members of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Findlay have won four national championships, all as members of the NAIA.
History
Conferences
- 1892–1920: Independent
- 1921–1932: Northwest Ohio League
- 1933: Independent
- 1934–1948: Ohio Athletic Conference
- 1949–1961: Mid-Ohio Conference
- 1962–1967: Independent
- 1971–1985: Hoosier–Buckeye Conference
- 1986–1993: NAIA Independent
- 1994–1997: Mid-States Football Association
- 1998: Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference
- 1999–2017: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- 2017–present: Great Midwest Athletic Conference
Championships
National championships
| Year | Association | Division | Head coach | Record | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | NAIA (4) | Division II (3) | Dick Strahm (4) | 10–1–1 (7–1 H-BC) | Northwestern (IA) | W, 51–6 |
| 1992 | 12–1 | Linfield | W, 26–13 | |||
| 1995 | 10–1–2 (4–1 MSFA) | Central Washington | T, 21–21 | |||
| 1997 | Single (1) | 14–0 (6–0 MSFA) | Willamette | W, 14–7 |
Postseason appearances
NCAA Division II
The Oilers have made three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 1–3.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | First Round Second Round |
Shepherd Assumption |
W, 29–17 L, 26–45 |
| 2021 | First Round | Shepherd | L, 31–38 |
| 2025 | First Round | Minnesota State | L, 14–37 |
NAIA
Findlay made thirteen appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 21–9–1 and four national championships.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Semifinals | Sam Houston State | L, 12–32 |
| 1978 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Tarleton State Missouri Valley Concordia Moorhead |
W, 13–6 W, 27–9 L, 0–7 |
| 1979 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Jamestown Pacific Lutheran Northwestern (IA) |
W, 41–15 W, 9–0 W, 51–6 |
| 1983 | Quarterfinals | Westminster (PA) | L, 0–28 |
| 1984 | Quarterfinals | Hanover | L, 17–18 |
| 1985 | Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Saint Ambrose Pacific Lutheran |
W, 7–0 L, 29–40 |
| 1991 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Westminster (PA) Georgetown (KY) |
W, 9–8 L, 19–37 |
| 1992 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Georgetown (KY) Westminster (PA) Benedictine (KS) Linfield |
W, 32–14 W, 13–7 W, 27–24 W, 26–13 |
| 1993 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Tiffin Westminster (PA) |
W, 28–14 L, 0–24 |
| 1994 | First Round | Westminster (PA) | L, 30–41 |
| 1995 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Pacific Lutheran Malone Lambuth Central Washington |
W, 21–7 W, 15–7 W, 63–13 T, 21–21 |
| 1996 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Geneva Westminster (PA) Western Washington |
W, 38–13 W, 28–9 L, 21–28 |
| 1997 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Westminster (PA) Geneva Doane Willamette |
W, 40–0 W, 28–7 W, 26–25 W, 14–7 |
References
- ^ "Football Records" (PDF). findlayoilers.com. Findlay Oilers Athletics. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ^ "University of Findlay Athletic Identity Revision" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2017.