Tiffin University (0-1) led for nearly the entire game but could not hold the lead in the closing minutes, allowing 12 unanswered points in the final quarter to fall 32-28 at McKendree in their season opener.
After falling behind 3-0 after a Bearcats field goal, the Dragons struck fast, as Joey Frendo hit Tony Shead on an 83 yard bomb to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. The Dragons struck again with 1:14 left in the first half when Jeremy Ortiz ran it in from 8 yards out to cap a four-play, 80 yard drive and take a 14-3 lead.
McKendree was able to answer on a 21 yard TD pass with just 9 seconds left in the half to make the score 14-9, Tiffin at the intermission.
The third quarter started ominously for TU, as the opening kickoff was returned 100 yards for a Bearcats score that gave them the lead 17-14. But the Dragons again responded immediately, as Jeremy Armstrong hauled in a 27 yard Frendo pass just 30 seconds later to put TU back on top 21-17.
Another McKendree field goal brought them to within 21-20 but the Dragons closed the third quarter with another TD reception, this time to Marcus Beaurem on a 38 yard pass from Tyler Jones with just 18 seconds left in the quarter to put TU up 28-20 heading to the final quarter.
But the Bearcats again took advantage of special teams breakdowns for another score, this time a 32 yard punt return that narrowed the gap to 28-26, Tiffin at the 11:02 mark of the fourth quarter.
McKendree took the lead with 4:05 remaining on a 59 yard touchdown pass and then ran the clock down by getting a couple first downs on their subsequent possession. The Dragons did get the ball back with 49 seconds left but could not get the ball in the end zone as the Bearcats intercepted Frendo with just seconds remaining to seal the game.
Overall McKendree outgained TU 471-451 in total offense, with TU totalling 400 yards through the air. The Bearcats controlled the clock, however, as they had 37:08 possession time to Tiffin's 22:52.
Frendo finished 31 for 49 for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shead was the top receiver, grabbing 10 passes for 165 yards while also finishing with 204 all-purpose yards. Armstrong had 97 yards on 4 catches and Beaurem had 85 yards on 7 receptions.
Defensively Terry Harper led with 11 tackles, while Brandon Person had 8 tackles and a forced fumble. Carlton Watkins and Kyle Finch added 7 stops. Tim Lewis had an interception and a fumble recovery, while Judes Amilcar and Keith Butts had sacks.
