Despite a relentless rushing attack by Michigan Tech, Tiffin University (0-2, 0-1 GLIAC) hung with the Huskies until the final quarter, when 19 fourth-quarter points sent the Huskies to a solid 40-14 victory in TU's GLIAC opener.
Both teams traded possessions early, until Michigan Tech finally put together a 7 play, 78 yard drive that ended with a 15 yard TD run by Charlie Leffingwell at 3:43 of the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
The Dragons wasted little time responding, however, as Tony Shead took the ensuing kickoff and exploded for an 85 yard kick return for a score that made it 7-7 at the 3:30 mark.
Both defenses continued to battle, as no one scored until Tyler Scarlett hit Jordan McConnell on 4th and 3 for a 16 yard touchdown pass with just 58 seconds remaining in the half to take a 14-7 lead at the break.
The Dragons opened the third quarter in fine fashion, taking a Huskies fumble and turning it into a quick score in 5 plays covering 32 yards when Antonio Pipkin rushed it in from 1 yard out for the score. The drive was highlighted by Joey Frendo's 26 yard completion to Jeremy Armstrong on 4th and 5 that took TU down to the one yard line. At the 12:32 mark, the score stood at 14-14.
Michigan Tech responded on its next possession, moving the ball 75 yards in 7 plays largely behind its strong ground game and the power running of Leffingwell. Cole Welch banged it home from one yard out to make it 21-14 at 9:40 of the third quarter.
Leffingwell had 33 carries for 192 yards, and the Huskies finished off a 60 yard drive in 6 plays with 14:25 left to play when Welch ran in another score from the one yard line. Leffingwell finished his day strong, gaining 83 yards in the second half and capping it off with a 19 yard TD scamper with 8:37 left.
The Dragons drove 52 yards on their next possession and were threatening to score when Frendo's pass was picked off by Jeremy Mims at the Huskies 5 yard line. Mims never looked back, returning it 95 yards for the game's final score.
Overall Michigan Tech outgained TU 491-240, including a big 259-32 advantage on the ground. They had 26 first downs to Tiffin's 11 and held a 11 minute edge in time of possession.
Jeremy Armstrong had 5 receptions for 82 tough yards, while Jacob Schneider also had 55 yards receiving on 4 catches. Frendo finished 20 for 38 with 2 interceptions for 203 yards. He was also sacked twice. Jerry Brown led the ground game with 41 yards on 10 carries.
Defensively Terry Harper, Joe Collard, and Brandon Person had 11 tackles each. Harper had a tackle for loss and a forced fumble, while Collard had 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Bill McCague had 7 tackles and a forced fumble. Stefan Willis, Judes Amilcar, and Antonio Etter also had 6 tackles each for TU.
