Tiffin University will take on Kentucky Wesleyan College in its latest GMAC football game.
Posted: Apr 08, 2021
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Tiffin University will take on Kentucky Wesleyan College in its latest GMAC football game.
The Dragons will kickoff against the Panthers at 1 pm April 10 at Frost Kalnow Stadium.
Gameday Notes - HERE
Tiffin is a perfect 4-0 against the Panthers, outscoring them in that stretch 166-50. In the two seasons that TU has competed in the GMAC against KWC, they have outscored them 102-23.
The last time TU played the Panthers was on Oct. 12, 2019, overpowering Kentucky Wesleyan 59-6. Tiffin led 35-0 at halftime and were never challenged in the game. Kyle Brunson and JaQuan 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).
Kentucky Wesleyan Notes
- Kentucky Wesleyan stands at 0-2, having postponed their opener with Hillsdale. The Panthers have since then lost a close game against Ohio Dominican 13-9 before getting demolished by Findlay last week 54-6.
- The Oilers picked up three quick scores in the first quarter and never looked back. It took the Oilers just over three minutes and 75 yards to score the first touchdown of the game. They picked up and returned a fumble to add to their lead within the first seven minutes of the game. By the end of the first quarter, Findlay held a 20-0 lead.
Kentucky Wesleyan Offense
- Leading the Panthers is sophomore quarterback Wiley Cain who was an honorable mention all-G-MAC selection last season. Last year he threw for 2,306 yards and 11 touchdowns in his debut as the team's signal caller. He was intercepted 11 times on the season. Against Ohio Dominican, Wiley threw 45 passes and completed 23 for 204 yards and a score. He did not throw an interception. Chauncey Greer saw starting action at quarterback against Findlay, completing 6 of 19 passes for 94 yards while also rushing for 31 yards.
- At the heart of the Panthers more balanced offensive attack is sophomore starting running back Landon Newman. Newman got just 11 carries in the season-opener and ran for a net of 25 yards. In his freshman season, Newman averaged more than four yards per carry but was limited to just 51 attempts. Against Findlay, Jatorian Dillard was the top ground gainer, rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries.
Kentucky Wesleyan Defense
- Defensively, sophomore Ramond Jackson, an honorable mention all-G-MAC performer, was the leading tackler in the opener as he tallied ten stops against ODU. Senior Jalen Wilson had eight tackles including one for loss while junior Jalen Humphrey, also an honorable-mention selection last year, had six tackles including three tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
- Against the Oilers, Devyn Bledsoe led the way with 9 tackles. He is 3rd overall in tackles for KWC with 12, following 13 by Jackson and Wilson. Humphrey also has 11 stops with 2 sacks.
- KiShawn Walker has the lone interception for the Panthers this season.
- Defensively the Panthers have been allowing 33.5 ppg, including 144 ypg on the ground to opponents.
Tiffin Notes- The Dragons are coming off a historic 2019 season where they made their first NCAA Championships appearance after winning the GMAC Championship with a perfect 7-0 record. They finished the year ranked 23rd in the country with a 9-2 record, posting back-to-back nine-win seasons for just the second time in program history (2006-2007).
- Tiffin was selected first in the GMAC Coaches Poll with 34 total points along with four first-place votes.
- The Dragons are led by Cris Reisert who is in his second year at the helm for the Dragons. Reisert led the Dragons to arguably the best season in program history finishing the regular season 9-1 in his first year and looks to build on that success in the upcoming season.
Tiffin Offense
- Tiffin's offense has been strong so far this season, ranking second in the GMAC at 30.3 ppg. They lead the conference in passing offense with 312.3 ypg, while also tying with Findlay for the conference lead in rushing at 180 ypg.
- The Dragons are returning several veterans on offense led by Nick Watson who started in all 11 games last season completing 210 passes for 2806 yards and 30 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. Nationally, he ranked 10th in passing touchdowns, 20th in passing yards per game, 22nd in completions per game, 19th in passing efficiency, and 30th in completion percentage. So far this season he leads the GMAC in yardage at 302.3 ypg.
- Devin Butler is a returner as well for the Dragons. Last season, he started in all 11 games for Tiffin, and ranked in the top six in the GMAC with 54 passes caught for 679 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 60.6 ypg. This year TU has four receivers in the Top 10 statistically, including three of the top 5. Anthony Lowe is having a breakout season, leading the GMAC with 95.7 ypg. Butler (3rd-63.3 ypg), James Dean (4th-61.7 ypg) and Datrin Guyton (8th-47.7 ypg) also join the attack.
- Running back Marcus Davis leads the GMAC with 76 ypg rushing, while Watson is 4th with 60.3 ypg.
Tiffin Defense
- Tiffin's defense led the GMAC in total defense and were second in scoring defense, nationally ranked 17th in interceptions with 16 on the year, and boasted a top-25 turnover margin of +82.
- The Dragons' defense this season is 2nd in the GMAC, allowing just 9.3 ppg. Their passing defense is also tops, allowing just 114.7 ypg. Barry Brown is 7th in tackles per game with 8.5, while Charlie Cleveland is 4th in tackles for loss (3.0). LaDonnis Griffin is 6th in sacks while Latrell Robinson and Marshawn Mankins are tied for 7th in sacks.
- The secondary is led Chrystian Watkins who started in all 11 games last year with 37 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and one forced fumble. He is currently 7th in the GMAC in passes defended, while Jermaine Wimpye and Justice Waller are 3rd in interceptions.