The season of firsts continues for the Tiffin University football team.
For the first time ever, TU (3-2, 3-2 GLIAC) defeated Wayne State 26-23, posting another road victory over a tough GLIAC opponent. It is also the first time Tiffin has ever had 3 GLIAC victories in the same season. To make it even more sweet for the Dragons, they led for most the contest, only trailing in the game for a total of 97 seconds.
The defenses dominated on both sides early, as Tiffin managed two field goals from Tomislav Derezic covering 31 yards apiece to jump out to a 6-0 lead late in the first half. Tiffin managed three trips into the red zone but came up with just 6 points.
Still, the Dragons held the lead and didn't allow Wayne State on the board until the 1:20 mark of the second quarter, when the Warriors scored on a 12 yard run to take the lead at the half 7-6.
Tiffin wasted no time reestablishing their lead in the third quarter, as Antonio Pipkin hit Marcus Beaurem on a 56 yard pass play for a score just 17 seconds into the quarter. A fumble on the two-point conversion try was returned 98 yards by the Warriors for a score, but the Dragons still led 12-9.
The Dragons made it a 10 point lead at the 9:25 mark of the third quarter when Charles Holland hauled in another TD pass from Pipkin, this time covering 24 yards. TU's lead was 19-9 as the fourth quarter started.
Wayne State took advantage of a TU fumble, eventually scoring on a 15 yard run that brought the score to 19-15, Tiffin with 14:53 to play. Tiffin, however, pushed its lead back to 10 points at the 9:20 mark with another Beaurem TD catch covering 11 yards from Pipkin, his third TD toss of the day.
With 6:15 left, the Warriors drove 59 yards and scored on another 15 yard run, making the score 26-23 and putting the game in the hands of the defense. The Warriors got the ball twice more in the quarter, but the TU defense held WSU to a total of -8 yards, securing the victory.
Overall Tiffin gained 409 yards to WSU's 320, including 291 through the air on a blistering 25 of 32 attempts. They also controlled the clock, holding the ball for 34:49 to the Warriors' 25:11.
Pipkin had perhaps his best collegiate performance yet, connecting on 25 of 32 passes for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. He added 40 yards rushing, while running back Chris Watkins had his best collegiate showing, rushing for a tough 74 yards on 12 carries (6.2 yards per rush).
Beaurem had 115 yards receiving on 9 catches with 2 TDs, while Pedro Correa also had 88 yards on 6 receptions. Derezic made a big contribution again, scoring 8 points on 2 field goals and 2 extra points.
Defensively Terry Harper had 9 tackles, while Justin Herrnstein had 8 tackles including 2.5 for loss. Brandon Person had 7 tackles and a forced fumble, while Keith Butts and Isaiah Dexter had sacks.
