Homecoming games are meant to be memorable. But Tiffin University's Homecoming football game against Northwood proved to be memorable for reasons beyond just the game.
The Dragons (1-3, 0-3 GLIAC) fell in the game 35-14 on a wild day that saw TU battle back from a 21-point deficit, come close to tying the game, then make some miscues in the fourth quarter that ultimately cost them the game.
Along the way, there was also a 90 minute delay due to lightning and a sudden hailstorm that left the football field covered in white hail stones for 15 minutes.
Northwood controlled the game in the early going as the Timberwolves attempted to establish the run. Jordan Jonker scored twice in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead.
But the Dragons started to make adjustments defensively, tightening up the line up front and keeping NU off the board in the second quarter. The two teams were within 37 yards of each other at the half, with Northwood holding a slim 8-6 edge in first downs.
Then came the downpour.
After the halftime Homecoming festivities and the opening kickoff, the weather decided to make its presence felt. A flash of lightning led to a 90 minute delay highlighted by a hailstorm.
Once the third quarter finally started, Northwood looked on the verge of running away with the game at the 9:04 mark when Ryan Whittum picked off a James Capello pass and returned it 41 yards for another score to put NU up 21-0.
But the Dragons were not done.
On the ensuing possession, TU went for the trick play, as Tyler Jones took the pitch from Capello and hurled the ball downfield to Pedro Correa for a 38 yard TD toss that got TU on the board 21-7.
After the TU defense made its presence felt by stopping Northwood, Tiffin's Logan Snell then blocked the punt and returned it to the end zone for a 40 yard touchdown that suddenly put the Dragons within striking distance 21-14.
TU's defense quickly forced another punt by the Timberwolves, with TU starting its next possession on its own 6 yard line. The Dragons started to march down the field, with Dominique White rushing for 13 yards and Capello nailing Obadiah Dykes for a 32 yard completiion as the Dragons seemed to have all the momentum.
Driving deep into NU territory, Capello hit Mark Rogers on a 9 yard pass play that got TU to the Northwood 20 yard line. But Rogers fumbled on the tackle and Northwood recovered on the 17 to kill the drive.
Northwood took advantage of the miscue, connecting on a 58 yard touchdown pass to jump back ahead 28-14 with 13:22 to play.
On the ensuing kickoff, a short kick was fumbled by Marcus Beaurem at the TU 20 yard line, with NU again recovering at the TU 21. NU put the game away three plays later when Aaron Shavers hit Eric Williams for a 7 yard TD to make it 35-14 with 12:19 left.
Overall NU outgained TU 345-251 and had 20 first downs to TU's 11. They accounted for 210 of those yards on the ground. Tiffin had 3 fumbles and one interception while also allowing 4 sacks.
The Dragons were outgained on the ground 210-78, while Capello led the offense with 135 passing yards on 18 of 30 passes. TU passed for 173 yards total.
Dykes led the receivers with 65 yards while Mark Rogers had 37 yards and Correa 50 yards with a score. Beaurem had 117 yards in kick returns.
Defensively Brandon Person had 11 tackles with a tackle for loss while Keith Butts had 8 tackles along with Joe Collard as the defensive line got a workout. Bryon McCorkle also had 7 tackles with 2 tackles for loss. Logan Snell had an interception and blocked punt with a score.
