Tiffin University travels to Walsh for its G-MAC opener on Sept. 21.
Posted: Sep 19, 2019
Tiffin University will open Great Midwest play with a road trip to Walsh Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 pm.
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The last matchup between Tiffin and Walsh came last season when the Dragons won their fourth straight game and beat the Cavaliers 27-20. The Dragons did most of their scoring in the first half and then let the defense hold off Walsh down the stretch. The Dragons scored 21 first half points, with Kyle Brunson posting a big game, rushing for 127 yards on 20 carries, good for 6.3 yards per rush with a score.
As teams that have played each other numerous times over the years spanning NAIA to NCAA Division II eras, Tiffin's rivalry with Walsh goes back decades. Overall they have played 13 times, with Walsh holding an 8-5 edge. They have outscored TU 336-253 over that stretch.
Walsh Notes
- After finishing 2018 with an 4-6 overall record and 4-4 mark in the G-MAC for fifth place, the Cavaliers were picked by the conference coaches to also finish fifth in 2019, right behind the Dragons.
- Coming off the heels of a road loss in week one to Duquesne, the Walsh Cavaliers hosted the Ashland Eagles on Sept. 14 in the home opener at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Walsh fell 34-12 to the Eagles.
- Ashland scored on their final two drives of the first quarter on a 31-yard field goal and a nine-yard TD pass as they led 10-0 after the first 15 minutes of play.
- Ashland's next drive ended abruptly when Stephen Baugh picked off an Ashland pass and gave the Cavaliers great field position. Two plays later, Nick Gassman found Dillon Smith in the endzone for a five-yard touchdown pass. Walsh closed the gap to 13-6 with 3:34 left in the half after the extra point was blocked.
- Walsh compiled 196 yards of total offense in week two. Gassman had 11 completions for 147 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Adu-Poku rushed for 58 yards and caught four passes for 68 yards.
Walsh Offense
- The Cavaliers are led on offense by starting quarterback Nick Gassman, as Walsh focuses on finding the right mix of rushing and passing. So far this season, Gassman has completed 17 of 39 passes for 188 yards, averaging just 94 yards per game through the air. He is completing 43.6 percent of his passes with 3 interceptions and one touchdown.
- On the ground Walsh has Koby Adu-Poku, who is equally dangerous in the backfield and catching passes. He has gained 93 yards on the ground (46.5 yards per game) on 39 carries in the first two games of the season. Overall Walsh is averaging just 33.5 yards per game on the ground.
- Through the air, Adu-Poku also leads the receiving corps with 8 catches for 87 yards (43.5 per game). Combined Adu-Poku is averaging 90 all-purpose yards per game. Quinn Thomas is also targeted in the passing game, making 6 receptions for 59 yards (29.5 per game).
Walsh Defense
- The Cavaliers are led on defense by strong safety Dylan Garver, who has 15 tackles in two games. He also has posted 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Walsh also has four linebackers that factor in almost every play defensively. Leondre Crosby is second on the team in tackles with 14 with a tackle for loss, while Sal Sidebotham is next with 11 stops and another tackle for loss. Stephen Baugh leads the team with 2 interceptions while also posting 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Phillip Keller also has 10 tackles with 2 tackles for loss.
Tiffin Notes- A frustrating first half did not go Tiffin University's way, as Saginaw Valley State raced out to a big first half lead and eventually won 35-20. The Dragons (1-1) did much of what they wanted in the first half, twice putting together solid drives that took them inside the Cardinals' 6 yard line. TU could not get the ball in the end zone, however, while the Cardinals made the most of their opportunities to score 28 first half points.
- Nick Watson completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards with 2 touchdowns and one interception. Kyle Brunson rushed for 47 yards and received passes for 22 more yards, while JaQuan Hardy rushed for 55 yards on 10 carries.
Tiffin Offense
- Tiffin's offense sits atop the G-MAC rankings after two weeks, averaging 435 yards per game. They also have the top passing offense in the conference by more than 50 yards per game, totaling 299.5 yards per game through the air.
- Nick Watson gets much of the credit for the big start, as he is the conference's top passer with 299.5 yards per game. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 261 yards with 2 touchdowns and one interception against the Cardinals.
- Running backs JaQuan Hardy and Kyle Brunson are combining to average 115 yards per game on the ground, with Hardy sitting third in the G-MAC with 67 yards per game and Brunson sixth with 48 yards per contest.
- Senior transfer Stanley Jackson Jr. continues to thrive, as the wideout again had a strong receiving day, catching 7 passes for 125 yards. He continues to lead the conference in receiving yards with 152 yards per game, nearly 40 yards more than the nearest challenger.
- Fellow newcomer Marcus Whitfield also ranks amongst G-MAC leaders with 45 yards per game.
- The only returning wideout to catch a pass in week one, Gavin Woods ranks 14th in the conference in yards while Devin Butler is also in the top 20 in 17th.
Tiffin Defense
- Tiffin's defense ranks second in the G-MAC, holding their opponent to 348 yards per game. They also boast the G-MAC's top pass defense, allowing only 135 yards through the air per game.
- Defensively Latrell Robinson had 9 tackles against the Cardinals, while Carrington Contee had 8 tackles and a fumble recovery. Ross Moore and Jacob Mertus had 7 tackles each, with Moore getting an interception. Charlie Cleveland had 6 tackles with a sack, while Zach Goecke and Chrystian Watkins had 6 tackles apiece as well.
- Ross Moore and Kevin Hyde are tied for the conference lead with 2 interceptions apiece. As a team Tiffin also leads the G-MAC with 6 total picks.