Dragons take on Walsh on Senior Day

Tiffin University takes on Walsh on Senior Day.
Tiffin University takes on Walsh on Senior Day.
Posted: Oct 26, 2023

 

Tiffin University (8-0, 6-0 G-MAC) takes on Walsh University (3-5, 1-5) on Senior Day at Frost Kalnow Stadium. Game time is 12 pm.

Overall TU holds a 9-8 record against the Cavaliers but has dominated the series in recent years. TU has won seven straight games dating back to 2015. Over that stretch, TU has outscored Walsh 267-70 including a tally of 171-30 since they have competed against each other in the G-MAC.

Tiffin University's defense dominated play in its 2022 season opener at Walsh, forcing four turnovers and posting five sacks en route to a 42-0 victory on Sept. 3, 2022. Overall the Dragons' defense registered three interceptions and a fumble, with all three interceptions leading to touchdowns. The Dragons also held Walsh to just 13 yards rushing in the game while five different defenders were involved in TU's five sacks.

WALSH NOTES

The Cavaliers currently sit in ninth place in the G-MAC overall and are on a three-game losing streak which has consisted of losses to Ashland, Ohio Dominican, and most recently, Findlay. Walsh has scored just 17 points during that stretch and will now face Tiffin for its final road game of the year. The Cavs are currently 3-5 overall and 1-5 in G-MAC action.

WALSH OFFENSE

Offensively, the Cavs rank ninth in the conference for offensive scoring with 15.4 points per game and last (10th) in offensive yards per game with 223.1.
• Both Dalys Jett and Hayden Wickard have spent time under center for Walsh, with Jett getting most of the snaps. He has completed 41% of his passes for 612 yards and one touchdown.
• Running backs Dom Jennings and Cameron Macon split the backfield with Jennings leading the team in rushing yards (358) and touchdowns (3) while Macon has tallied the most carries (86).
• Anthony Harris is the leading wideout for Walsh, recording 24 catches for 390 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt freshman is followed by Garrett Waite with 19 receptions for 218 yards and Tavion Jackson with 14 catches for 126 yards and a team-high two touchdowns.


WALSH DEFENSE

The Cavaliers rank fourth in the G-MAC for points allowed per game with 19.9 and sixth in yards allowed per game at 371.9.
• Leading the defense is linebacker Cam Hollobaugh who has recorded 65 total tackles, which leads the G-MAC. He has also forced five turnovers himself with three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
• Jesse Stephens leads the team in sacks with 3.5 followed by Nate Watkins with 3.0. Watkins also leads the way in tackles for loss with 11.5.
• Safety Robbie Page is tied for the lead in interceptions with three and has tallied 24 tackles. Defensive backs Delshawn Petrosky and Jajuan Jackson have both recorded five pass breakups and 30 and 23 tackles respectively.

 

TIFFIN NOTES

Tiffin continues to climb the AFCA Division II national poll, coming in at 19 in this week's edition. The Dragons are coming off the back of a 37-12 victory in rainy conditions over Kentucky Wesleyan. The win improved them to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play. TU is the only G-MAC school receiving national recognition.

TIFFIN OFFENSE

The Dragon offense continues to factor high in multiple national rankings including second in total offense, third in offensive first downs, fourth in rushing offense, and fifth in scoring offense.
• Quarterback Kason Martin leads the offense with 1,671 passing yards with a 64.4 completion percentage. He has tallied 16 passing touchdowns so far this year and averages 208.9 yards per game.
• Tiffin's backfield boasts four running backs that have all surpassed 400 rushing yards on the season including Ronald Blackman (773), Tyrese Banks-Dorn (490), Devin Nelson (436), and Carson Gresock (426). Banks-Dorn leads the team in rushing touchdowns with eight, followed by Gresock with seven and Blackman with six.
• Josh Lewis leads TU in every receiving category including receptions (31), yards (502), touchdowns (6), and average yards per game (62.8). He is followed by Cole Schnieder and Jalen Thomas each with 21 catches. Thomas is second in receiving yards with 314 and touchdowns with five.


TIFFIN DEFENSE

Defensively, TU ranks second in the nation in turnovers gained as well as third in turnover margin and defensive touchdowns.
• The linebacking corps is led by Jesse Connell and Zeke Brown who have tallied 39 and 36 total tackles respectively. Brown has accounted for three caused turnovers including one interception and two forced fumbles.
• A strong Dragon secondary is led by Ramond Jackson with a team-high 42 tackles and Patrick Tueimeh with 38. Jackson has recorded two interceptions and three pass breakups but Chucky Lewis leads the team with four as well as five pass breakups. Caleb Streat has also picked up an interception which was returned for a touchdown and is tied for the team-high in pass breakups with five.
• Robert Holtz and Antonio O'Berry bolster the defensive line up front and are both tied for the lead in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (9.5). The pair have each forced a fumble as well.