Tiffin's defense will face a challenge in the Eagles' offense.
Posted: Oct 14, 2021
Tiffin University (4-2, 1-1 GMAC) takes on Ashland (2-3, 1-1) at 1 pm at Frost Kalnow Stadium Oct. 16 in another marquee GMAC matchup.
Tiffin holds a 1-7 record against the Eagles. Their lone victory came in 2016 when the Dragons won a thriller 35-32. TU last played Ashland in 2017 when they fell 38-24 in their final year in the GLIAC. Ashland holds a commanding 362-143 scoring advantage over the Dragons, with the last two meetings with the Eagles resulting in a 70-59 margin for Ashland.
Tiffin University put together 21 unanswered points in the second half last week to race past Lake Erie for their first GMAC win of the year 35-17. TU's defense forced three turnovers while also recording a sack to lead the Dragons' attack. The squad also allowed just 100 rushing yards and made big plays to pull away from the Storm.
Ashland Notes
- The Eagles are 2-3 overall with wins over Quincy and Walsh. They are 1-1 in conference play against Walsh and Ohio Dominican.
- Ashland was ranked fourth in the GMAC Preseason Poll with 33 points behind Tiffin, Findlay, and Ohio Dominican.
- Coming into the game the Eagles have scored on 95 percent of their red zone possessions – 19 scores (13 rushing touchdowns, five passing touchdowns, and one field goal) in 20 tries. That figure is tied for seventh in NCAA Division II.
Ashland Offense
- Through five games the Eagles' offense is averaging 479.4 total yards, 226.2 rushing yards, 253.2 passing yards, and averaging 35.2 points per game.
- Freshman quarterback Trent Maddox is slated to get his first collegiate start against Tiffin, following the injury to Brenner. He has appeared in four games this season, including extensive time last week at home vs. Ohio Dominican, and is 13-for-28 for 119 yards, one touchdown and one interception passing.
- Garret Turnbaugh is the lead receiver for the Eagles, with 27 catches for 426 yards (4th in the GMAC) with four touchdowns (T-3rd in the GMAC), and averaging 15.8 yards per catch (3rd in the GMAC) and teammate Keshun Jones has nabbed 11 catches for 188 yards, and two touchdowns.
- Gei'vonni Washington leads the backfield for the Eagles, as he is the No. 2 player in the GMAC at 137.6 all-purpose yards per game. He has 688 total yards (355 rushing, 173 receiving and 160 on kickoff returns), and averages 6.9 yards per touch this season.
Ashland Defense
- Ashland's defense is second in the GMAC in yards allowed at 339.0 yards a game, second in the conference in passing yards allowed per game at 184.4 yards, and seventh in the GMAC in points allowed per game at 30.8.
- Michael Ayers leads the defense with 47 tackles (7th in the GMAC), 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble, and Luke Crabtree with 29 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and one sack. Jeffrey Barnett leads the team in sacks with 2.5, 5.5 tackles for loss, 15 total tackles, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup and Justin Moore leads the Eagles secondary with 22 total tackles, a team-high three interceptions, two pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.
Tiffin Notes
- Tiffin was selected first in the 2021 Preseason Coaches Poll receiving 48 points with 6 first-place votes followed by Findlay, Ohio Dominican and GMAC newcomer Ashland.
- Last week, Tiffin headed out to Lake Erie and won 35-17, outscoring the Storm 21-10 in the second half.
Tiffin Offense
- The Dragons' offense continues to be explosive through six games as they average 30.8 points per game (3rd in the GMAC), 248.5 passing yards (4th in the GMAC) with 14 passing touchdowns (2nd in the GMAC), and 152.2 rushing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 10 rushing touchdowns (3rd in the GMAC).
- Nick Watson, the reigning GMAC Player of the Year, has thrown for 1368 yards (3rd in the GMAC) with a 56.8 completion percentage, 12 passing touchdowns (2nd in the GMAC), and a 131.8 efficiency rating.
- Watson's main weapons are Anthony Lowe with 38 catches (1st in the GMAC) for 463 yards (2nd in the GMAC), and four touchdown catches (3rd in the GMAC), and teammate Jalen Thomas who has 23 catches (9th in the GMAC) for 344 yards (8th in the GMAC) and five receiving touchdowns (2nd in the GMAC).
- Tiffin has a three pronged rushing attack with Darius Pinnix leading the way with 67 rushes for 313 yards, averaging 52.2 per game and three rushing touchdowns, Nick Watson rushing 37 times for 172 yards and three rushing touchdowns, and Baden Pinson rushing 40 times for 214 yards averaging 42.8 yards per game.
- The Dragons Offensive Line is led by reigning GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year Trent Clark along with Caleb Pierce, Shane Bumgardner, Jacob Oglesby, and Zack Richardson.
Tiffin Defense
- Tiffin's defense continues to excel. TU is only allowing 292.8 yards of total offense (1st in the GMAC), 119.0 rushing yards allowed (2nd in the GMAC), 173.3 passing yards (1st in the GMAC) and are holding opponents to 18.7 points per game (1st in the GMAC).
- Tiffin has registered a conference leading 16 sacks (T-1st in the GMAC), seven interceptions (3rd in the GMAC), 39 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles.
- The D-line is led by GMAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Charlie Cleveland with 31 tackles, 4.5 sacks (3rd in the GMAC), and 4.5 tackles for loss, Landon Hall with 48 tackles (6th in the GMAC), 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup, and Latrell Robinson with 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one pick six.
- Tiffin's secondary is led by Jermaine Wimpye who has 31 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, and three pass breakups, Kevin Hyde with 24 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups, and Jesse Johnson with 12 tackles, two interceptions and one pass breakup.