Tiffin University (2-2, 2-2 GLIAC) opened strong in its Homecoming football game with Malone University (0-4, 0-4 GLIAC) but then had to come from behind to pull out a narrow 23-21 victory.
Tiffin dominated the first quarter, scoring twice for a 14-0 lead. Antonio Pipkin ran around corner for a 26 yard TD that capped off a 12 play, 78 yard drive for the opening score, and then followed it up with a 39 yard TD pass to Pedro Correa on the next drive, finishing off a 7 play, 76 yard drive as the Dragons appeared in total command.
Malone bounced back early in the second quarter, driving 61 yards before running in on a 1-yard run to make it 14-6. The Dragons answered immediately, as Tomislav Derezic booted a 36 yard field goal to make it 17-6 at the half.
Malone, however, came out in the second half and grabbed the momentum, capping off drives of 75 and 73 yards with two third-quarter touchdowns that put them on top 21-17 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Dragons brought the game closer on a 31 yard field goal by Derezic with 11:25 left in the game, making the score 21-20, Malone. After a TU stop, the Dragons took their next possession and drove to the Malone 32 yard line before Derezic tied a school record by nailing a 50 yard field goal to put TU back on top 23-21 with 8:04 to play.
Malone drove into TU territory on the next drive, reaching the TU 44 yard line before the defense held tight, forcing a fourth and 8. Malone seemed to be on the verge of taking the lead when Kaleb Scott found Jordan Phillips wide open just 10 yards from the end zone, but Phillips could not hold onto the pass as TU took over on downs.
Malone got the ball back again with 1:50 to play, putting the defense in position to decide the game. But another Scott pass was intercepted by Carlton Watkins at the TU 48 to seal the victory.
Overall the Dragons outgained Malone 400-330, with 301 of those yards coming through the air for TU. Pipkin completed 29 of 39 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, while also rushing for 64 yards on 14 carries.
Correa had a career-best day, hauling in 7 passes for 116 yards and a score, making numerous big plays on third down as well. Marcus Beaurem had 81 yards receiving, while 9 total receivers caught passes for the Dragons.
Derezic accounted for 11 points on the day for TU, going 3 for 4 on field goals along with two extra points.
D.J. Stewart and Brandon Person had 6 tackles apiece, with Person also getting a tackle for loss. Watkins had 5 stops with a pick and tackle for loss, while Tommy Pritchard, Keith Butts, and Jason Herrnstein also had 5 tackles each.
