Dragons run wild in 52-0 shutout of Walsh

Tiffin's defense held Walsh to just 69 yards rushing.
Tiffin's defense held Walsh to just 69 yards rushing.

Tiffin University (2-1, 1-0 G-MAC) opened G-MAC play in resounding fashion, posting its biggest win ever against Walsh 52-0 on the road.

Tiffin's 52 point margin of victory was the largest gap since 2015 when TU beat Concordia-Selma 68-13. It is the fourth largest winning margin in school history.

The game was Tiffin's control from the outset, when the Dragons scored 21 first quarter points.

On Tiffin's second possession, JaQuan Hardy burst around left end and raced 94 yards down the sideline at the 8:05 mark for a stunning opening score. It was the longest touchdown run in TU rushing history. 

After a three-and-out by the TU defense, the Dragons had good field position at the TU 49 yard line. First down completions from Nick Watson to Stanley Jackson (17 yards) and Hardy (11 yards) eventually set up a 5 yard toss to Gavin Woods to make it 14-0, TU.

The Dragons defense continued to tighten the vise, forcing another quick change of possession. TU marched 63 yards with a balanced attack of passing and rushing, finishing the drive off with a 26 yard TD scamper by Hardy to make 21-0 with 19 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Tiffin executed its passing game with efficiency on its next possession at the start of the second quarter. TU moved 65 yards five straight passes to get downfield and put it in the end zone on a 26 yard TD catch by Gavin Woods.

Tiffin got its final points of the half after a botched 11 yard shanked punt gave TU the ball on the Walsh 37 yard line. Completions to Jackson and Woods set up Hardy's 2 yard TD run with 1:24 left in the half to make it 35-0.

Tiffin got one more chance to score in the first half, taking over with 35 seconds remaining and getting a 21 yard run by Hardy and a 23 yard completion to Jackson to move within field goal range. A.J. Nickoli came through, drilling a 34 yard field goal with 2 seconds left to end the first half scoring with TU ahead 38-0.

The halftime stats showed a totally dominant Dragons performance. TU led 395-95 in total offense and 22-6 in first downs. Hardy rushed for 161 first half yards, while Jackson had 105 yards at the break.

TU did not let up, taking their opening possession of the second half and moving 62 yards on 9 plays before Jackson hauled in a 42 yard TD pass from Watson to push the lead to 45-0.

Tiffin's final score of the game came after a smooth 36 yard punt return from Woods took the ball down to the Walsh 4 yard line. Marquette Dixon ran it it for another score with 3:13 left in the third quarter and make it 52-0.

Tiffin's defense was tough all day, holding Walsh to 69 total yards rushing and just 184 yards of total offense. The Dragons did not have that problem, racking up 550 yards of offense including 259 on the ground. They held a whopping 31-9 edge in first downs.

Tiffin's defense also forced 4 turnovers with 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions, including a 52 yard interception return by Carrington Contee. Chaz Lumpkin had the other pick.

Hardy finished with 168 yards on 15 carries with 3 touchdowns along with 27 more yards on 2 catches for 195 total yards. Dixon also rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries.

Watson was efficient with 20 for 29 passing for 291 yards and 3 TDs with no interceptions. Jackson was the main standout with 9 catches for 147 yards, while Woods also had 83 yards on 6 catches along with another 36 yards on punt returns.