Sponsored by Marco's Pizza
It was the dawn of a new day for Tiffin University football, as it opened its first ever spring season with a 21-14 win at Walsh.
The Dragons, who postponed their fall season due to ongoing issues with Covid-19, join the rest of the GMAC football playing institutions in competing during the spring, and the Dragons took on the Cavaliers in their season opener.
Walsh opened the game by putting together a 13 play, 58 yard drive that culminated in a 2 yard TD pass.
The score proved to be a quick wake-up call for the Dragons, who immediately responded with their own 11 play, 73 yard drive. Marcus Davis made his TU rushing debut, gaining 20 yards on the drive, while quarterback Nick Watson passed for 35 yards and rushed for 25 more before scampering in on a 1 yard score at the 4:58 mark to make it a 7-7 game.
The Dragons' defense started to settle in, not allowing another score from the Cavaliers until midway through the fourth quarter.
Tiffin, meanwhile, started to utilize quick strike assaults to get to the end zone. Midway through the second quarter, Devin Butler hauled in a 66 yard TD pass from Watson on TU's second play of the drive to make it 14-7.
The Dragons' defense allowed just two more first downs the rest of the first half, taking a seven point lead into the locker room.
Two more three-and-outs by the Walsh offense led to Tiffin's second quick strike. This time James Dean followed up a 49 yard pass completion to Butler with his own 29 yard TD catch in the corner of the end zone off a strong throw from Watson at the 6:25 mark of the third quarter.
Walsh finally got back on the board with 10:34 left in the fourth quarter, completing a 90 yard drive with a 16 yard TD pass.
A turnover by Tiffin in the Walsh end zone with 5:00 left in the game gave the Cavaliers some life, but again the Dragons' defense buckled down, forcing another three-and-out and killing Walsh's final drive of the game with two big sacks by LaDonnis Griffin and Latrell Robinson.
Overall TU outgained Walsh 464-239, including 302-129 through the air. They had 22 first downs to Walsh's 15 while also totaling 4 sacks in the game.
Watson was outstanding, connecting on 18 of 37 passes for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 71 yards on 14 carries and another TD.
Davis finished with 89 yards rushing on 20 carries, while Butler had a huge game with 161 yards receiving on 7 catches. Dean also caught 4 passes for 99 yards.
Charlie Cleveland led the defense with 8 tackles, while Brandon Burks and Cameron Fox had 6 stops each. Jacob Mertus and Chrystian Watkins had 5 tackles apiece. Griffin finished with 2 sacks, while Mason Gray joined Robinson with another sack.