Tiffin University

MARQUTTE, Mich. - A stifling defensive effort and balanced offensive attack helped Tiffin earn a 35-7 victory over Northern Michigan on Saturday evening, securing the first career win for head coach Zack Blair.
 
After both teams traded punts on their opening possessions, the Dragons' defense came up with a momentum-shifting play as Jeremiah Moore stepped in front of a Northern Michigan pass and intercepted quarterback Duke Shovald. Tiffin was unable to capitalize on the favorable field position, however, as the Dragons were stopped on fourth down just outside the red zone, turning the ball over on downs with 5:06 left in the opening quarter.
 
Tiffin's defense continued to set the tone on the next possession, forcing Northern Michigan into its second punt of the game. The Dragons closed out the opening quarter on a positive note as Kyle Antoine connected with Joey Zalewski on a 15-yard completion to move the offense downfield. On the very first play of the second quarter, Antoine took a shot deep and found Trey West for a 52-yard touchdown, with West perfectly timing his leap and high-pointing the ball over the defender for the game's first score.
 
Northern Michigan answered with an eight-play, 63-yard scoring drive to even the game at 7-7. The Wildcats capped off the march with an 11-yard touchdown run by Noah Dobert, who found the end zone midway through the second quarter. The Dragons looked to deliver a counterpunch on their ensuing possession, but the drive came up short as Ronald Blackman was stopped one yard shy of the line to gain on a fourth-and-seven attempt. The turnover on downs ended an otherwise methodical 12-play, 40-yard march and kept the game tied at 7-7.
 
The Dragons' defense once again delivered a quick stop, and Trey West provided a spark on special teams with a 25-yard punt return that set Tiffin up in Northern Michigan territory. Capitalizing on the short field, Blackman burst through a seam in the middle of the defense and raced 36 yards to the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the season, giving the Dragons a 14-7 advantage.
 
The Dragons looked poised to extend their lead as for the second consecutive week, Jaedyn McKinstry came down with a toe-tapping 16-yard catch along the sidelines and followed it with a 16-yard reception that moved the ball to the Wildcats' four-yard line. Antoine would connect with Joey Zalewski who made it 21-7 in favor of the 'Gons as they took that lead into the halftime break.
 
After Northern Michigan missed a 29-yard field goal attempt, the Dragons quickly capitalized on the momentum swing. Ronald Blackman broke free for a 17-yard run before Kyle Antoine connected with Sayeed Garnett for a 37-yard gain. Blackman added another nine yards on the ground to move Tiffin deep into Wildcat territory, and Cane Mack finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the Dragons' lead to 28-7.
 
Tiffin wasted little time adding to its advantage in the fourth quarter. On the opening play of the final period, Daniel Weems made several defenders miss on his way to the end zone, becoming the latest Dragon to find pay dirt.
 
For the second consecutive week, Tiffin controlled the game statistically, out-rushing Northern Michigan 187-149, out-passing the Wildcats 267-73, and nearly doubling them in total offense, 454-222.
 
Kyle Antoine turned in a strong performance, throwing for a career-high 267 yards while Sayeed Garnett led the receiving corps with four catches for 62 yards. On the ground, reigning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week Ronald Blackman continued his strong start to the season, eclipsing the 100-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive game and helping power the Dragons' balanced offensive attack.
 
Defensively, Lennox Williams paced the Dragons with six tackles followed by Radical Rothermel's five. Tiffin's pass rush was relentless throughout the evening, as Rothermel, Jaiden Acker and Nick Crawford each recorded 1.5 sacks, while Popeye Williams chipped in with a half sack to help the Dragons keep Northern Michigan's offense in check.
 
Tiffin will enter its bye week at 1-1 overall and return to action for its homecoming matchup against Thomas More University slated for Saturday, September 19. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. and will also be the 'Gons home-opener from Frost-Kalnow Stadium.