Early in the third quarter of Tiffin University's football game with the University of Findlay, the Dragons had battled the Oilers to within one score, trailing just 24-16.
Then the wheels came off.
The Oilers (3-0, 2-0 GLIAC) scored 28 fourth quarter points, turning a close game into a blowout in a 59-22 victory over TU (1-2, 1-2 GLIAC). The Dragons had entered the game with momentum after defeating Saginaw Valley State on the road the week before, and, much as in their contest with the Cardinals, the Oilers struck first, taking their opening drive and scoring a touchdown on a 40 yard run by quarterback Verlon Reed.
The Dragons responded immediately, as Jalen Santoro hauled in a 14 yard pass from Antonio Pipkin to cap off an 11 play, 64 yard drive. After missing the extra point, TU trailed 7-6.
TU took the lead at the end of the first quarter, as Tomaslav Derezic hit a 25 yard field goal to put the Dragons up 9-7. The Oilers responded with a 42 yard field goal of their own at the 11:57 mark of the second quarter to take a 10-9 lead.
Findlay then went on a run, scoring two more touchdowns on the way to 17 unanswered points in the second quarter. Zack Washington's 52 yard interception return for a touchdown closed the first half scoring as the Oilers took a 24-9 lead into the break.
Tiffin came out of the halftime break ready to scrap some more, as Jerry Brown scored on a 8 yard run to finish off a 75 yard drive and bring TU to within 8 points.
The Oilers, however, used a balanced attack to wear down the TU defense, scoring three straight touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Two of those drives covered 69 yards apiece, while a TU turnover led to another score 45-16 with 12:20 to play in the game.
Pipkin scored TU's final points on a nice 28 yard touchdown scamper, but Findlay added a 29 yard TD pass and a 42 yard interception return by Daouda Sylla to finish the scoring.
Both teams had little trouble moving the offenses up and down the field, with Findlay totaling 425 yards and TU 381 yards of offense. Findlay had 26 first downs to TU's 23. Findlay was perfect in the red zone (4-for-4), while TU went 3-for-5.
Pipkin led the Dragons with 69 yards rushing on 14 carries, while also passing for 252 yards on 26 for 35 passing. He was also sacked 4 times and threw one interception.
Marcus Beaurem had 70 yards receiving, while Tony Shead added 52 yards. Shead also added 40 kick return yards for 92 all-purpose yards.
Brandon Person led the Dragons with 14 tackles and an interception, while Carlton Watkins, Tommy Pritchard, and Terry Harper all had 6 tackles. D.J. Stewart had 5 stops, and Kevin Lefeld had 4 tackles with a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and a recovery.
