Tiffin University's 2017 football season came to a close on the road, as Grand Valley State took advantage of turnovers and subsequent short field drives to win 45-7. 

The Dragons, who finish 6-5, played a tough first half, taking the lead early behind the strong rushing of JaQuan Hardy. TU put together a 58 yard drive highlighted by 45 yards rushing by Hardy, including a 1 yard TD run at the 7:18 mark as TU went ahead 7-0.

Grand Valley State did not get on the board until the 6:37 mark of the second quarter, when they took advantage of a strong punt return that set up a short field resulting in a 23 yard drive and a score on an 8 yard pass to tie the score 7-7 with 6:37 left in the half.

The Lakers then forced a fumble and scored again after a 33 yard drive ending in a 4 yard run with 2:04 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons tried to get more points on the board as the half wound down, but a 38 yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired as GVSU led 14-7 at the half.

The second half was never close, as the Lakers put 31 points on the board. Three fumbles and an interception ultimately led to four scoring drives in the second half covering 40, 47, 48, and 20 yards.

The Lakers held a 13 minute time of possession edge, along with a first down total of 25-12. They outgained TU 450-192, including 285-42 in the air. The Dragons also converted just 2 of 13 third down attempts.

Hardy, meanwhile, had a strong game, rushing for 154 yards on 27 carries with a TD. 

Defensively, the Dragons were busy, with three players ending with double figures in tackles. Daijohn Isbell had 12 tackles with an interception and tackle for loss, while Carrington Contee had 10 tackles with an interception and tackle for loss. Brandon Burks also had 10 tackles.

Ryan Grooms added 7 stops with 1.5 tackles for loss, while Victor Cave and Michael Sabol had a half sack each.