TIFFIN, Ohio - The Tiffin University football team is at Frost-Kalnow Stadium for the second-straight week on Saturday looking to bounce back from a 21-14 setback against Lake Erie. The Dragons enter the weekend with a 6-3 overall record and sit at 5-2 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play as they prepare to host Ohio Dominican (4-5, 3-4 G-MAC).
 

 
DRAGONS LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK: Despite last week's loss, the Dragons controlled many statistical categories against Lake Erie, outgaining the Storm 368-228 and limiting them to just 45 rushing yards. Tiffin got off to an electric start as Braylon Gabes intercepted a pass on the Storm's opening possession and returned it 21 yards to their four-yard line. One play later, quarterback Cane Mack connected with Joey Zalewski on a four-yard touchdown pass just 11 seconds into the game, giving Tiffin an early 7-0 advantage. However, they would surrender 21 unanswered points.
 
DEFENSIVE IDENTITY: Defense has been the backbone of the Dragons' success throughout the season. Tiffin is allowing just 18.9 points and 249.0 total yards per game while forcing 20 turnovers. Opponents are averaging only 109.3 rushing yards per contest and have been held to 2.9 yards per carry. The Dragons have also accumulated 25 sacks and 73 tackles for loss through nine games. They're still ranked No. 4 in total defense (249.0), fifth in passing yards allowed (139.7), 11th in team passing efficiency defense (103.6), tied for 12th in turnover margin (1.00) and are 23rd in rushing defense (109.3).
 
LEADING THE WAY DEFENSIVELY: Linebacker Lennox Williams paces the defense with 85 tackles, including 8.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He registered a season-high 14 tackles in the Dragons' win over Hillsdale. Williams is second within the G-MAC in total tackles and his 49 assisted efforts leads the conference going into this weekend.
 
In the secondary, Jeremiah Moore leads the team with four interceptions, while Jacob Tueimeh has recorded three takeaways and returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown. Isaiah Funches-Foster has also chipped in with two picks this season.
 
GROUND GAME SUCCESS: The Dragon offense continues to be powered by the rushing attack of fifth year Ronald Blackman, who has rushed for 726 yards, which leads the conference. Blackman has scored six touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has surpassed the 100-yard mark on multiple occasions this season. Daniel Weems has added another 283 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including a two-touchdown performance in a road victory at Walsh.
 
THROUGH THE AIR: The Dragons are averaging 204.2 passing yards per game and have thrown for 13 touchdowns this season. Kyle Antoine has totaled 1,220 passing yards and nine touchdowns while completing 62.7 percent of his passes. After throwing for a season-high 271 yards against Lake Erie, quarterback Cane Mack gives the Dragons another experienced option under center heading into Saturday's matchup. Mack has tossed four touchdowns, while adding three more on rushing attempts.
 
RELIABLE TARGETS: Wide receiver Joey Zalewski has emerged as the team's top target with 38 receptions for 465 yards and four touchdowns. He enters Saturday's contest following a career-best performance against Lake Erie in which he hauled in 10 catches for 125 yards and a score.
 
Jaedyn McKinstry has added 270 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions while averaging 16.9 yards per catch, and Josiah Raber has contributed 207 yards and three touchdowns of his own.
 
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: One of the biggest keys to Tiffin's success has been creating takeaways. The Dragons own a +9 turnover margin, forcing 20 turnovers while committing just 11. The defense has intercepted 13 passes and returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns.
 
CLEANING UP THE PENALTIES: Tiffin will look to be more disciplined this week after being flagged 92 times this season, the second-highest total in NCAA Division II. The Dragons are averaging just over 10 penalties per game, with those infractions costing them 88.2 yards per contest.
 
SCOUTING OHIO DOMINICAN: Ohio Dominican enters Saturday's matchup with a 4-5 overall record but features one of the more balanced offenses in the G-MAC, averaging nearly 28 points per game. The Panthers are led by a passing attack that has topped 2,200 yards on the season and has produced several explosive performances, including 369 yards through the air against Northwood and 350 yards against Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
ODU also features multiple offensive playmakers, led by Carson Parker, who has accounted for six touchdowns, while Roderick Love and Nathan Webster have each added five scores. Parker has started all nine games at quarterback and averages 227.6 yards through the air while tossing 16 touchdowns.
 
Defensively, the Panthers have generated 17 interceptions, which is the most within the G-MAC and have shown a knack for creating turnovers, highlighted by a four-interception effort against Morehead State, but have also surrendered more than 400 passing yards twice this season.
 
UP NEXT: With postseason positioning still on the line, the Dragons will look to defend their home turf and return to the win column when they welcome Ohio Dominican to Frost-Kalnow Stadium on Saturday at 12 p.m. The 'Gons will then close out the season in the "Battle for 224" when they square off against No. 10 Findlay at home on Saturday, November 14.