Box Score Tiffin University (1-1) traveled to Big Rapids, Michigan to take on top-ranked Ferris State, falling in an epic shootout 41-34.

The Dragons opened the game by scoring on their opening possession, driving 75 yards on 10 plays. Alex Johnson connected with Joey Truesdale on a 2-yard pass to put TU ahead 7-0 at the 10:38 mark.

The Bulldogs lived up to their ranking over the rest of the first half, however, putting together four touchdown drives and 28 unanswered points to rush ahead 28-7 with 4:57 left in the first half.

The Dragons bounced back for another score before halftime, as Johnson hit Emari White for 29 yards to bring TU to within 28-14 with 2:09 left. The Bulldogs came right back with a one-play, 75-yard run that put them up 35-14 at the half.

The second half saw a tremendous reversal by the Dragons, who outscored Ferris State 20-6 over the final 30 minutes and took the game down to the closing seconds before the Bulldogs secured the win.

Tiffin started its comeback with 7:56 remaining in the third quarter. TU drove 78 yards and finished the drive with an 8-yard TD run by Ronald Blackman. 

Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs drove down to Tiffin's 3-yard line and attempted a 24-yard field goal to expand their lead. Dennis Crawford, though, blocked the kick and Malik Baker scooped up the ball and returned it 77 yards for a stunning score that pulled TU to within 35-27 as the quarter came to a close.

Tiffin's first possession of the fourth quarter saw it drive down to the Ferris State 32-yard line, converting to third-and-long plays along with a fourth-down play before coming up a yard short on another fourth-down attempt as the Bulldogs took over on downs.

The Bulldogs responded with a 73-yard drive that ended with a touchdown, pushing FSU's lead to 41-27 with 1:58 to play.

The Dragons again responded with a stunning 65-yard TD toss from Johnson to Jadyn McKinstry on their first play of their next possession, pulling to within 41-34 with1:46 to play.

Ferris State put the game away by picking up a crucial first down and running the clock out.

Both teams showed off powerhouse offenses, with FSU outgaining TU 534-405. Tiffin did most of its damage through the air, with Johnson connecting on 24 of 37 passes for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tiffin had 23 first downs to FSU's 21.

Blackman had 140 all-purpose yards with 60 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards, while McKinstry had 85 yards receiving. Other top receivers were White (59 yards, 79 kick return yards) and Ethan Holbrook (46 yards).

Joseph Weiers also had a strong day punting, averaging 46.2 yards per kick and putting 3 inside the 20-yard line.

Jacob Tueimeh led the team with 15 tackles, while Baker, Ethan Evers, and Isaiah Funches-Foster had 6 stops apiece. Khris Walton had 5 tackles with a sack, while Jalen Coles also had 5 stops.