TIFFIN, Ohio – The Tiffin University football team enters Saturday's matchup with Ashland riding a three-game winning streak and began receiving votes in this weeks Division II American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches Poll earlier this week.
 
The Dragons improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in G-MAC play following a 48-13 road victory over Kentucky Wesleyan, giving them wins over Northern Michigan, Thomas More and Kentucky Wesleyan by a combined score of 121-34. Through four games, Tiffin is averaging 39.8 points and 411.8 yards of offense per contest while limiting opponents to just 18.8 points and 206.5 yards per game.
 

 
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The Dragons have found success behind a balanced offensive attack that averages 199.8 rushing yards and 212.0 passing yards per game. Tiffin has rushed for 14 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry and has added five scores through the air. The offense has been particularly effective in scoring situations, converting on 17 of 18 red zone opportunities this season for a 94.4 percent success rate.
 
ALL TIME SERIES: Ashland holds a 10-3 advantage in the all-time series against the Dragons and has won all five previous meetings played in Ashland. Last season's matchup was one of the most tightly contested games on Tiffin's schedule, as the Eagles connected on a 30-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation to force overtime. Ashland then converted a 27-yard field goal in the extra session before sealing the victory with an interception on Tiffin's ensuing possession.
 
MAINTAINING CONTROL ON THE GROUND: Leading the way offensively has been Ronald Blackman, who has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the G-MAC. Blackman has rushed for 462 yards and six touchdowns through four games while averaging 7.6 yards per carry and 115.5 yards per game. He has eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times this season and leads the team with 553 all-purpose yards.
 
ANTOINE IN COMMAND: At quarterback, Kyle Antoine has efficiently directed the offense, completing 59 of 87 passes for 799 yards and five touchdowns while posting a 67.8 completion percentage and a 159.3 passing efficiency rating. Antoine is averaging nearly 200 passing yards per game and is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Kentucky Wesleyan. His top target has been Joey Zalewski, who leads the Dragons with 15 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Trey West has emerged as the team's top big-play threat, averaging 26.4 yards per reception with 132 receiving yards and two scores.
 
DRAGONS AMONGST THE NATIONS BEST: Defensively, Tiffin has been one of the league's most dominant units through the opening month of the season. The Dragons have allowed just 320 passing yards and 506 rushing yards combined through four games while forcing nine turnovers. Opponents are averaging only 80.0 passing yards per game and have managed just nine total touchdowns all season. Tiffin also owns a +5 turnover margin and has recorded nine sacks and 36 tackles for loss.
 
The 'Gons boast one of the nation's top defenses, ranking first in NCAA Division II in total defense while also leading the country in passing yards allowed at just 80.0 per game. Tiffin ranks third nationally in passing efficiency defense (84.4) and owns a turnover margin that is tied for 11th-best in Division II.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS: The Dragon defense is led by Lennox Williams, who tops the squad with 28 tackles, while Anthony Shields has added 18 stops and four tackles for loss. Popeye Williams, the brother of Lennox has been disruptive in the backfield with a team-leading 6.0 tackles for loss, while linebackers and defensive backs have combined for five interceptions. Jeremiah Moore leads the group with two picks while Niko Bohler, David Collins Jr., and DaVontez Lewis have each contributed one takeaway.
 
RUDOLPH, SCHATTIN LEAD SPECIAL TEAMS UNIT: Special teams have also played a key role in Tiffin's success. Ben Rudolph remains perfect on extra points, converting all 21 of his PAT attempts, while adding four field goals this season. Punter Alex Schattin is averaging 43.7 yards per punt with five kicks pinned inside the 20-yard line and three punts of at least 50 yards.
 
FAST OUT OF THE GATE: The Dragons have made a habit of getting out to early leads this season, outscoring opponents 121-34 during their current three-game winning streak. Tiffin has been dominant in the second quarter, holding an 83-31 scoring advantage in the period, and owns an overall scoring margin of +84 through four games.
 
SCOUTING ASHLAND: The Eagles enter Saturday's matchup with a 1-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in G-MAC play. Their lone victory came in convincing fashion against Ohio Dominican, 24-3, before suffering a 17-10 setback at Walsh last week. Ashland has relied heavily on its defense through the opening month, allowing just 253.5 yards per game. They enter Week 5 featuring the sixth-best rushing defense in NCAA Division II, holding opponents rushers to just 75.3 yards per game. They also allow the fourth-fewest yards per rushing attempt at 2.18.
 
At quarterback, Ashland has utilized both Drew Novak and Darrell Shumpert. Novak has completed 36-of-64 passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns in three appearances, while Shumpert has thrown for 191 yards and a touchdown over the last two contests, including making his first career start a week ago.
 
The Eagles' primary receiving threats are Andrew McKnight, who leads the team with 195 receiving yards and a touchdown, and D.J. Harvey, who has hauled in 14 receptions for 174 yards and two scores. On the ground, Ty'aris Stevenson has rushed for a team-high 252 yards on 52 carries, highlighted by a 133-yard performance against Ohio Dominican.
 
Defensively, Ashland is paced by linebacker Jack Talkington, who leads the team with 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and two interceptions. E.J. Teah has added 30 tackles while Ben Holzopfel has collected 26 stops.
 
Saturday's game will also serve as the Eagles 102^nd Homecoming game with kick off slated for 1 p.m.