Northwood Offense

 

The Timberwolves were dismantled in their two previous games, falling to Ashland 42-14 and Grand Valley State 49-0. Northwood was held to 28 yards passing against the Lakers, completing 2 of 15 passes. The Timberwolves favor the run game, averaging 182.8 yards per game. The quarterback position is in a bit of a crisis over the past two games, with Grant Dunatchik seeing the majority of the action. Grant is 7 of 23 through the air for 114 yards and an interception. Dominick Giovinazzo is the leading ground gainer, toting the ball 34 times for 182 yards and a touchdown. John Hall is the leading receiver for the Timberwolves, snagging 10 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line for Northwood has surrendered 10 sacks this season, including four over the last two games. The Timberwolves have had 10 different ball carriers in both of their last two games.

 

Northwood Defense

 

The opposition has gashed the Timberwolves through the air for 291.3 yards per game. Teams have scored 18 touchdowns against Northwood, with 11 coming through the air. Over their last two games against GLIAC competition, the Timberwolves have surrendered 721 passing yards and eight touchdowns. Northwood's rush defense is 2nd in the GLIAC with 97.5 yards allowed per game. This number is extremely deceiving due to the first two games the Timberwolves played. Against Siena Heights and Missouri S&T Northwood allowed 46 rushing yards. Against Ashland and Grand Valley State the Timberwolves allowed 344 rushing yards. Linebacker Travis Wiltjer leads the defense in tackles with 19. Charles Williams is a threat to be reckoned with up front, leading the Timberwolves with 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. 

 

Northwood Special Teams

 

The Timberwolves' kicker David Riser is 5 of 8 on field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards. Scott McCormick has punted the ball 24 times for a 39.3 yard average. McCormick is 49th in the nation in punting, and has downed eight inside the 20 yardline. Vashon Nutt is averaging 30.5 yards per kickoff return, 2nd in the GLIAC. Dwight Blakey handles the punt returning for the Timberwolves, handling 10 punts for an average of nine yards per return.

 

 

 

Tiffin University Offense

 

The Dragons had a breakout performance last weekend, scoring 41 points against the Wayne State Warriors in a Dragon victory. Tiffin posted a season high 473 yards of total offense and a season high 297 rushing yards. The Dragons' quarterback, Nick Watson, finished 18-28 for 176 yards and a touchdown. Watson carried the ball 12 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns. JaQuan Hardy had a career day against the Warriors, toting the rock 23 times for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Tiffin receiver Charles Holland had a big first half for the Dragons, hauling in four balls for 62 yards and a touchdown. Holland didn't play in the 2nd half as a precaution. The Tiffin University offensive line played their most physical game of the year, dominating the Warriors. Tiffin allowed only two sacks, and blocked well in leading the Dragons' backfield to rush for 297 yards. In the GLIAC, Tiffin is 2nd in rushing yards per game (215.3). Tiffin has rushed for the most yards in the GLIAC, holding a slim two yard lead over Ferris State. On a national level, the Dragons rushing offense is 25th, and Tiffin ranks 37th in scoring offense at 34.8 points per game. 

 

Tiffin Defense

 

Tiffin's strength continues to be their defense. It was never more evident than against the Wayne State Warriors last Saturday night. Tiffin held a run heavy Warriors offense to 93 yards on the ground, 99 yards through the air, and 192 yards of total offense. It is the 3rd straight game in which the Dragons have surrendered less than 100 yards passing. Nationally, Tiffin's pass defense is 4th in the nation, allowing 100.0 yards per game. At the national level, Tiffin has a top tier defense, ranking 6th in 3rd down conversion defense (23.6%), 9th in 1st down defense (53), 13th in red zone defense (55.6%), 24th in scoring defense (17.5), and 8th in total defense allowing 245.8 yards per game. The defensive line has been as advertised, accounting for 7.5 of the Dragons 12 sacks and 15.5 of Tiffin's 33 tackles for loss. Charlie Cleveland leads the defensive line with 18 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a team high 5.5 tackles for loss.  Linebackers Brandon Burks and Jacob Mertus lead the Dragons defensively. Burks has a team high 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and has accumulated 2.5 sacks. Jacob Mertus sits with 25 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Daijohn Isbell is the leading tackler in the secondary with 17. Delan Wynn leads the Dragons with two interceptions and is the only Tiffin defender with a touchdown. In the GLIAC, Tiffin is tied for the conference lead in sacks with 12. In last year's game against Northwood, Tiffin held the Timberwolves to 14 points, 4 of 11 on 3rd downs, and only six completions.

 

Tiffin special teams

 

The Dragons' special teams unit had a great game against Wayne State, holding one of the top kickoff return teams in check. Tiffin's punter, Harry McCollum, had his best game as a Dragon, averaging 46.5 yards per punt. Tiffin kicker Joe Metcalf finished the game 2 of 3 on field goal attempts and 5 for 5 on extra point attempts. Metcalf is 16th in the nation in total points scored with 37.