Tiffin University

OWENSBORO, Ky. - The Tiffin University football team continued its strong start to Great Midwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday, scoring 38 first-half points and cruising to a 48-13 road victory over Kentucky Wesleyan at Steele Stadium. The win marked the Dragons' third consecutive victory and improved Tiffin to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
 
Tiffin wasted little time taking control, finding the end zone on its opening drive as Ronald Blackman capped a three-play, 48-yard march with a three-yard touchdown run. Just over two minutes later, Kyle Antoine connected with Trey West on a 68-yard touchdown strike to push the Dragons in front 14-0 less than four minutes into the contest.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan's lone touchdown came midway through the first quarter on a blocked punt return, trimming the deficit to 14-7. The Dragons responded by outscoring the Panthers 34-6 the rest of the way.
 
Tiffin's defense provided one of the game's biggest momentum swings early in the second quarter. After Ben Rudolph drilled a 20-yard field goal, DaVontez Lewis stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception for a touchdown to extend the lead to 24-7. Antoine later added a 10-yard rushing touchdown before finding Josiah Raber for a 10-yard scoring pass with 44 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Dragons a commanding 38-10 lead at the break.
 
The Dragons continued to dominate after halftime. Rudolph connected on a 37-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, and moments later Radical Rothermel recovered a Kentucky Wesleyan fumble at the Panthers' four-yard line. On the next play, Isaac Bunts powered into the end zone to cap the scoring for Tiffin and make it 48-10.
 
Tiffin's offense produced 364 total yards while holding Kentucky Wesleyan to just 104 yards of total offense and five net rushing yards. The Dragons also recorded 22 first downs to the Panthers' eight and limited Kentucky Wesleyan to 2.0 yards per play.
 
Antoine efficiently directed the offense, completing 10-of-14 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Drake Wells completed 6-of-7 passes for 49 yards in relief as Tiffin finished 16-for-21 through the air for 250 yards.
 
Blackman led the rushing attack with 76 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. West hauled in the game's longest play with his 68-yard touchdown reception, while Daniel Weems totaled 44 receiving yards and 26 rushing yards. Raber added two receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Anthony Shields and Ryan Konyecsni paced the Dragons with seven tackles apiece. Niko Bohler registered three tackles for loss, including a sack, while Derrick Weems and Nick Crawford combined on Tiffin's second sack. Lewis' interception return for a touchdown highlighted a defensive unit that forced two turnovers and scored 14 points off Panther miscues.
 
Ben Rudolph was perfect on the day, converting all six extra-point attempts and both field-goal opportunities.
 
The Dragons will look to extend their winning streak to four games when they return to action next Saturday, October 3 at (RV) Ashland University. The Eagles dropped a 17-10 game today at (RV) Walsh and will be hosting the 'Gons at 1 p.m. for their homecoming.