Momentum is a fickle thing.
Tiffin University (2-6, 1-5 GLIAC) seemed to have all the momentum as the second half began in their GLIAC battle with Walsh at Frost Kalnow Stadium. They had scored 29 first half points, held a 29-17 lead at the half, had scored a 33 yard field goal with 39 seconds left in the half, and had only allowed 3 points on defense.
Yet one play seemed to sap the Dragons of all their momentum, leading to a second half charge by Walsh that resulted in 13 points and a narrow 30-29 victory over TU.
Facing second and 2 after driving to the TU 15 yard line, Walsh quarterback Jason Fracassa threw a pass that appeared to go backwards and off the hands of Jeremy Willison. The Dragons' Stefan Willis grabbed the apparent fumble and streaked 76 yards into the end zone for a touchdown that would have put TU up 36-17 with 7:00 left in the third quarter.
Only the fumble never happened.
After conferring together, the officials ruled the pass had went forward and was therefore incomplete. Given new life, Walsh wasted little time taking it to the dejected Dragons, scoring five plays later to pull the Cavaliers to with 29-24 at the 6:44 mark of the third quarter.
After a short possession by TU, Walsh got the ball back and drove 65 yards on 10 plays before Fracassa ran it in from 2 yards out. After the failed 2-point conversion, Walsh led 30-29.
The Dragons had numerous possessions throughout the fourth quarter but could not seem to find any offensive rhythm, as quarterback Antonio Pipkin was harassed throughout the half. Pipkin finished with 3 sacks on the day and also threw 3 interceptions. Overall he completed 33 of 54 passes for 231 yards while being held to just -7 yards rushing.
Despite trailing by just a point, TU could never come close to field goal range, as they progressed no further than their own 43 yard line in the final quarter.
The game started well for Tiffin, as they came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. Jerry Brown hauled in a 3 yard pass from Pipkin to open scoring 7-0 on TU's first possession.
After Pipkin threw an interception that was returned 41 yards to the TU 19 yard line, Walsh connected on a 19 yard TD pass that tied the score at 7-7.
TU bounced right back as Bryon McCorkle picked off a Walsh pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown. TU's Terry Harper then blocked a Walsh punt, knocking it out of the end zone for a safety that put TU up 16-7 at the 5:48 mark of the first quarter.
Walsh took advantage of another Pipkin interception as Pierre Raymond returned it 60 yards for a touchdown that closed the score to 16-14, Tiffin entering the second quarter.
Tomislav Derezic drilled a big 45 yard field goal after earlier missing a 21 yard kick, while Walsh's Michael Dudics answered with a field goal from 36 yards as Walsh kept the deficit at two points 19-17.
Another big play followed, as Stefan Willis returned the subsequent kickoff 87 yards for another score as the tide turned in Tiffin's favor. After the TU defense held Walsh to a three-and-out, Derezic hit another field goal with 39 seconds left to give TU the momentum heading into halftime 29-17.
Overall Walsh outgained TU 294-236, with Tiffin managing just 5 yards rushing in the game. Tiffin also managed just 2 for 18 on third down conversions.
Marcus Beaurem had 10 catches for 57 yards, while Tyler Jones had 58 yards receiving. Tony Shead added 38 yards. Willis had 177 all purpose yards.
Defensively McCorkle had 7 tackles with an interception. Kyle Yoder had 7 tackles witih a tackle for loss while Harper added 6 tackles with 2 tackles for a loss and a punt block. Willis also had an interception.
