HILLSDALE, Mich. – Tiffin University built a two-touchdown halftime lead and then leaned on its defense when it mattered most, holding off Hillsdale 21-14 Saturday afternoon at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium. The Dragons sealed the victory with a game-clinching interception in the final minute to improve to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.
The Dragons struck quickly thanks to their defense. On Hillsdale's opening possession,
Jacob Tueimeh stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 52 yards for a pick-six just 2:02 into the contest, giving Tiffin an early 7-0 advantage.
Hillsdale answered with a 60-yard scoring drive capped by a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Colin McKernan to even the score at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.
Tiffin took control in the second quarter. The Dragons marched 80 yards on a 10-play drive, finishing with a 12-yard touchdown run from
Daniel Weems for a 14-7 lead with 13:15 remaining in the half. After
Nick Crawford forced a fumble that was recovered by
Derrick Weems at the Hillsdale 38-yard line, the Dragons capitalized again. Eight plays later,
Cane Mack connected with
Josiah Raber on a 12-yard touchdown pass to extend the advantage to 21-7.
The Chargers trimmed the deficit in the third quarter when Tutt Carrico broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, making it 21-14 with 8:32 left in the period. Neither offense would find the end zone again as the defenses took over.
Hillsdale threatened multiple times in the fourth quarter, but the Dragons' defense continually delivered key stops.
Isaiah Funches-Foster came away with an interception at the Tiffin three-yard line midway through the quarter to halt a Chargers drive inside the red zone.
With Hillsdale driving once more in the closing minutes, Tiffin slammed the door shut. After the Chargers moved inside the Dragons' 30-yard line,
Clarence Brown intercepted a fourth down pass at the Tiffin eight yard line with 29 seconds remaining, allowing the Dragons to run out the clock and secure the road victory.
Despite being outgained 292-180, Tiffin forced three interceptions, recovered a fumble and recorded five sacks in a dominant defensive effort.
Daniel Weems led the rushing attack with 45 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while
Ronald Blackman added 56 rushing yards. Mack finished 8-of-18 passing for 78 yards and a touchdown, with Raber hauling in the scoring reception.
Joey Zalewski paced the receiving corps with 24 yards on two catches.
Defensively,
Lennox Williams led all players with 14 total tackles and two sacks. Tueimeh added seven tackles to go with his interception return touchdown, while Funches-Foster and Brown each recorded fourth-quarter picks to preserve the victory.
Next up, the 'Gons will close out the regular season with three-straight home games beginning with Lake Erie College on Saturday, October 31. Kick off is slated for 12 p.m.
