Tiffin train keeps rolling with 59-6 win over Panthers

Tiffin University's defense had 4 sacks in a big 56-9 win over the Panthers.
Tiffin University's defense had 4 sacks in a big 56-9 win over the Panthers.

Tiffin University (5-1, 3-0 GMAC) took to the road for the first time in three weeks and kept the freight train rolling, overpowering Kentucky Wesleyan 59-6.

Tiffin led 35-0 at halftime and were never challenged in the game. The Dragons got the ball after just two plays by KWC, as Tyler Richardson intercepted a pass at midfield to give TU great field position for their first possession.

After a 19 yard run by JaQuan Hardy, TU hit the scoreboard as Nick Watson connected with Devin Butler on a 28 yard TD strike to make it 7-0 just 2:07 into the game.

After the defense held and the Panthers made a 10 yard punt, TU once again had good field position on the KWC 41 yard line. Three Watson completions culminated with a 15 yard pass to Stanley Jackson Jr. for another score to make it 14-0 at the 9:53 mark.

Tiffin got one more score in the first quarter. A 52 yard drive highlighted by a 29 yard catch by Jackson and a 18 yard rush by Watson ended when Hardy ran in from the 6 yard line with 50 seconds left to make it 21-0 heading to the second quarter.

Hardy busted another big run in TU's opening drive of the second quarter, galloping 44 yards before Kyle Brunson raced in from 5 yards out to make it 28-0 at the 12:26 mark.

Tiffin's defense matched its offense, holding KWC to negative yardage in the opening quarter and allowing just one yard of offense midway through the second. 

Tiffin added one more score before the half as Watson connected on four straight completions in a drive that ended with Spencer Moyer catching a 2 yard pass from Watson to make it 35-0 at the break.

Devin Butler took the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown to open the half in dramatic fashion and put TU ahead 42-0.

After KWC scored their only points at the 9:24 mark, the Dragons responded immediately with a 65 yard drive for another score. With Hardy and Kyle Brunson alternating rushes, TU marched down the field and scored when Devon Lynch hauled in a 6 yard pass from Watson to make the score 49-6.

Khalid Crawford was featured on Tiffin's next possession, rushing 8 times before taking it into the end zone from 11 yards out for Tiffin's final touchdown at 14:13 of the fourth quarter. Joe Harakal also booted a 23 yard field goal at the 5:12 mark to finish the scoring for TU.

Overall TU outgained the Panthers 554-121, with the defense allowing only 33 rushing yards. TU outgained KWC on the ground 303-33 and through the air 251-88.

The Dragons also executed almost at will in the red zone, scoring on 7 of 8 possessions. TU had 28 first downs to the Panthers' 10 while the defense also added 4 sacks.

Brunson and Hardy gave TU a two-back look that thrived, with Brunson rushing for 93 yards (6.6 per carry) and Hardy 98 yards (7.1 per carry). Crawford added 46 more yards on 8 carries.

Watson connected on 16 of 25 passes for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns, with Jackson catching 5 passes for 83 yards and Butler gaining 76 yards on 4 receptions.

Carrington Contee led the defense with 10 tackles along with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, while A.J. Wright also had 2 sacks with 5 tackles. Charlie Cleveland also had a sack along with 3 tackles.