Tiffin University (1-1) made two big defensive plays late in the fourth quarter, ending Davenport's final two drives of the game with interceptions to preserve a razor thin 20-17 victory in the Dragons' home opener at Frost Kalnow Stadium.

The game had become a defensive battle in the second half after a wild 1st quarter that saw the two teams combine for 28 points. Only 3 points were scored in the final 30 minutes, as TU's Jared Friszman booted a 26 yard field goal with 1 second remaining in the third quarter to give the Dragons the winning margin.

The Panthers, bouyed by 111 yards in penalties by TU, stayed in the game and was driving to midfield with 1:38 to play when TU's Ross Moore picked off a pass and returned it 6 yards to kill the drive. When Davenport got the ball back with 1:03 to play, Roamelle Bell sealed the victory with another pick that was returned 18 yards.

The game began with all the trappings of a shootout. The Panthers took advantage of drive-continuing penalties to drive 64 yards on 6 plays, scoring on a 1 yard pass at the 13:04 mark to lead 7-0

TU answered immediately, with Antonio Pipkin connecting with Jalen Santoro on a 26 yard pass that ricocheted off a collision in the end zone straight into his hands at the 10:16 mark to knot the score at 7-7.

The Dragons looked to get on track at the 3:28 mark of the 1st quarter when Pipkin hit Jordan Nobles on a 37 yard TD toss to cap a 7 play, 80 yard drive and go ahead 14-7.

The Panthers didn't back down, however, scoring with 8 seconds left in the quarter on a 14 yard pass to tie the score 14-14.

In the second quarter, the battle of field goals began. Davenport started with a 38 yard kick that gave them the lead back 17-14 at the 8:22 mark, but Friszman nailed a 27 yard field goal as the clock ran out in the half to tie the score 17-17.

Overall TU had 20 first downs to DU's 19. They outgained DU 443-313, posting a nice balance with 245 yards passing and 198 rushing.

Kyle Brunson had 99 yards rushing on 11 carries, while Jerry Brown had 47 yards and JaQuan Hardy had 45 as well. Pipkin finished 18 of 31 for 245 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions and one sack.

Nobles led the way with 93 yards receiving, while Santoro had 56.

Defensively, Jawan Nelson had 13 tackles with a tackle for loss, while D.J. Steward had 10. Morgan Loyd also had 10 tackles with a sack and 2 tackles for loss, while Dominic Sesay and Jacob Mertus had 5 tackles each.