Tiffin University (1-0) used a swarming defense to throttle Wayne State in its 2024 season opener, dispatching the Warriors 31-17 at Frost Kalnow Stadium.

How strong was the Dragons' defense? Six sacks, five turnovers including three interceptions and two fumbles, 13 tackles for loss, and a total of 38 yards rushing allowed. The defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game, giving Tiffin's offense a chance to find itself as the game progressed. The defense allowed just three points in the game until midway through the final quarter.

An early miscue on Tiffin's first possession of the year gave Wayne State a fumble recovery deep in TU territory, leading to a 40 yard field goal at the 11:09 mark as WSU took a 3-0 lead.

The Dragons responded by scoring the next 24 points unanswered. Tiffin responded immediately with a touchdown on its next possession, as Ronald Blackman scored on a 38-yard pass from Alex Johnson to cap a 75-yard drive and make it 7-3, Tiffin.

After Tiffin's defense forced a fumble early in the second quarter on Wayne State's 10-yard line, the Dragons scored in three plays as Blackman caught a 5-yard pass from Johnson to push TU's lead to 14-3.

The Dragons forced another fumble midway through the third quarter and TU wasted no time as Johnson hit Joey Zalewski on a crossing route that went 23 yards for another score at the 9:06 mark.

After a diving interception by Danny Mason ended Wayne State's next drive, the Dragons added more points on a 29 yard field goal by Ben Rudolph.

A TU fumble midway through the fourth quarter gave the Warriors a short field to work with and they capitalized with a 15-yard TD pass that made the score 24-10, Tiffin. The Dragons again refused to let the game get closer, scoring in one play on their next possession as Johnson hit Jalen Thomas for a 70-yard TD strike that put the game out of reach 31-10 with 7:22 remaining.

Time was not on the Warriors' side at this point and though they managed another score on their next possession, the drive ate up 5:22 on the clock as Tiffin ended up with a 14-point victory.

Overall Tiffin outgained WSU 374-176. The defense held Wayne State to just 1.2 yards per rush and just 2 for 10 on third down conversions. 

Blackman gained 108 yards on 19 carries for a healthy 5.7 yards per carry while Nick Johnson also had 43 yards rushing. Thomas caught 10 passes for 126 yards while Blackman tacked on 38 yards receiving as well. Alex Johnson connected on 20 of 27 passes for 229 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Khris Walton had 1.5 sacks while Kenneth Byrd, Radical Rothermel, Gio Albanese, and Kris Artis also had sacks. Zach McMinn added a half sack. In the secondary, Chucky Lewis, Justin Wimpye, and Danny Mason had interceptions. Twelve different players posted tackles for loss, with Byrd, Walton, and Isaiah Foster leading with 6 tackles apiece. Jalen Coles and Jacob Tueimeh also had 5 stops each.