Tiffin University (8-3, 7-2 G-MAC) played one of its strongest games of the season, jumping out to a 21-0 lead and controlling the second half in a 37-14 Senior Day victory.
Tiffin opened the game on fire, scoring on its first two possessions. Tiffin's first score came after an 89-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard TD toss from
Alex Johnson to
Will Jackson-Linkhart at the 8:11 mark of the first quarter. After a three-and-out by the TU defense, Tiffin capped a 85-yard drive with a big touchdown run by
Ronald Blackman that covered 67 yards to make it 14-0, Tiffin.
Blackman continued his strong rushing with another score early in the second quarter. He broke through for another long run, this time 60 yards that made it 21-0 at the 10:36 mark.
Findlay narrowed the gap before halftime. After a touchdown drive that covered 78 yards, the Oilers intercepted a Johnson pass and returned it 10 yards for another score with 45 seconds left in the half that pulled the Oilers to with 21-14.
Tiffin got points on its opening drive of the second half, with
Ben Rudolph kicking a 41-yard field goal and following that up on TU's next drive with a 34-yard field goal that made it 27-14, Tiffin.
The Dragons' defense continued to shine, not allowing Findlay into TU territory over the final 4:26 of the first half and the entire third quarter. Two more interceptions by the Dragons killed Oilers' drives in the fourth quarter.
Tiffin got its lone touchdown of the second half when
Jalen Thomas caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to open the final quarter. TU wrapped up its scoring with another field goal, this time covering 34 yards.
Tiffin's offense racked up yards all day, outgaining Findlay 480-238. They held a massive 228-45 rushing edge while the defense had 4 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Blackman had a huge day, finishing with 220 yards on 24 carries (9.2 average) while Thomas had 92 yards receiving.
Joey Zalewski also had 73 yards receiving and Jackson-Linkhart had 43 yards. Johnson finished with 252 yards passing on 22 of 31 attempts.Â
Darius Hylick led TU with 9 tackles and an interception, while Jacob Tuiemah had 8 stops.
Malik Baker had 5 tackles and
Khris Walton had 2 sacks.
Gio Albanese posted 1.5 sacks and
Uzonna Nzekwe had a half sack.
Justin Wimpye also had an interception.
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