After a disappointing loss to Hillsdale last week and a long road trip to 22nd-ranked Michigan Tech this week, capping their third straight road game, Tiffin University knew it would have to bring its "A" game to challenge the Huskies.
The Dragons brought it and then some but came up just short on the game's final play, falling on a successful two-point conversion in overtime 39-38. The loss drops TU to 5-4, 4-4 GLIAC.
The Dragons ultimately outgained MTU 421-409, including 229-194 in rushing. They also converted 7 of 12 third downs. The Dragons also showed great heart in the game, battling back four times from deficits to either tie or take the lead, twice leading in the fourth quarter and also leading in overtime.
Coming out of the halftime lockerroom trailing 20-14, the Dragons went to work. Charles Holland hauled in a 35 yard touchdown pass from Antonio Pipkin, his second of the game, to finish off a 4 play, 70 yard drive at 6:44 to take their first lead of the second half 21-20.
After MTU booted a 37 yard field goal to retake the lead 23-21, Tomislav Derezic answered with a 23 yard field goal at 14:52 of the fourth quarter to put TU back up 24-23.
The Huskies responded again, scoring on a 4 yard pass at 10:42 and converting a two-point conversion to jump ahead 31-24. But the Dragons again dug deep and after forcing a stop defensively, they took over and scored when Holland caught an 8 yard pass with 38 seconds remaining to tie the score 31-31 and send it to overtime.
In OT, Holland again came up big, making a sensational 10 yard TD catch to give TU a 38-31 lead. MTU also came back and scored on their possession and rather than send the game to a second overtime period, they elected to put the game on the line by going for the two-point conversion, Kevin Miller rushed it in to give MTU the victory.
TU also got scores in the first half on a 4 yard TD reception by Tony Shead and a 17 yard reception by Holland.
Jerry Brown had his best day rushing in his TU career, gaining 168 yards on 22 carries, while Holland had 4 TD receptions and 101 yards on 7 catches. Pipkin finished 20 of 30 for 192 yards and 5 TDs and only one interception. Pedro Correa III also had 41 yards receiving on 7 catches, while Tony Shead had 113 yards of total offense (34 receiving, 79 kick returns).
Jawan Nelson led a resurgent TU defense with 13 tackles and TFL, while Stefan Willis had 12 tackles and Carrington Contee 11. Morgan Loyd posted 10 tackles with 2 TFL and a sack, while Justin Herrnstein (8 tackles), Jalen Randolph (8 tackles, TFL, sack), and Roamelle Bell (7 tackles, TFL) also played well.
