Tiffin University will take on Findlay with the GMAC title on the line.
Posted: Nov 11, 2021
Tiffin University (8-2, 5-1 GMAC) will take on the University of Findlay (7-3, 5-1) on the road with the Dragons attempting to win their third consecutive GMAC Championship.
An NCAA regional berth is also likely on the line, as the Dragons are attempting to return following their 2019 appearance. There were no NCAA playoffs last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tiffin is 3-26 overall against the Oilers, but has won the last two games. Both victories resulted in conference championships for the Dragons. They won in 2019 52-45, marking their first victory since 1993, and then repeated in 2020 with a 23-8 win at home to give TU their second consecutive GMAC title. This game marks the third year in a row TU faces UF for the title.
It was all over in the first half for the Dragons in their last outing, as TU blasted past Walsh 56-16. The Dragons posted 42 first-half points against the Cavaliers, including 28 points in the opening quarter. TU outgained Walsh in the half 352-83, including 297-89 through the air. TU posted 2 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble while holding Walsh to -6 yards rushing. Nick Watson had a huge half, completing 12 of 15 passes for 297 yards and 5 touchdowns in 30 minutes.
Findlay Offense
- Through 10 games the Oilers' offense is averaging 426.2 total yards, 195.0 rushing yards, 231.2 passing yards, and 31.3 points per game.
- At quarterback for Findlay is Matt Winzeler who has thrown for 2198 yards (4th in the GMAC), completed 57.9 percent of his throws (4th in the GMAC), 18 touchdown passes (T-3rd in the GMAC), and a 133.6 efficiency rating (3rd in the GMAC).
- The Oilers have a deep backfield with Derek Lynch leading the pack having played in all 10 games, rushing 115 times for 676 yards and scoring five touchdowns, averaging 67.6 yards per game. He is also fourth in the conference in all-purpose yards with 676 rushing yards, 75 receiving, and 313 kickoff return yards for a total of 1064, averaging 106.4 per game. Garret Clark has played in eight games rushing 86 times for 469 yards and scoring five touchdowns, averaging 58.6 yards per game, and Josh Booker has played in six games this season, rushed 63 times for 318 yards, scored six touchdowns, and averages 53 yards per game.
- Winzeler's top receiver is Marlin Richardson who has 42 receptions for 653 yards and three receiving touchdowns, Tanner Schroeder has 32 catches for 456 yards and two touchdown receptions, and Ruben Flowers has 27 catches for 344 yards and four touchdowns.
Findlay Defense
- Findlay's defense has allowed 392.6 yards a game, 276.3 passing yards per game, 115.5 rushing yards per game (2nd in the GMAC), and allowed 24.5 points per game.
- The Oiler defense is led by Grey Brancifort who has 89 tackles (7th in the GMAC), 8.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, 1.0 sack, and one forced fumble, Marqis Stokes recorded 71 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 1.0 sack, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery, and Jack Trombetti registered 68 tackles (9th in the GMAC), 7.5 tackles for loss (17th in the GMAC), one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 sack.
- The defensive front for Findlay is led by Ervin Besingi who has 29 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (10th in the GMAC), 6.5 sacks (4th in the GMAC), and one pass breakup, Dalton Rockhold with 22 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble, and Logan Speyer with 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one pass breakup.
Tiffin Offense
- The Dragons' offense is explosive as they average 33.6 points per game (1st in the GMAC), 269.3 passing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 27 passing touchdowns (1st in the GMAC), and 161.9 rushing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 18 rushing touchdowns (3rd in the GMAC).
- Nick Watson has thrown for 2528 yards (1st in the GMAC) with a 57.4 completion percentage, 25 passing touchdowns (1st in the GMAC), and a 146.1 efficiency rating.
- With Watson's 215 yards against Ashland he eclipsed Antonio Pipkin in career passing yards to claim the No. 1 spot in program history for passing yards. Watson's four passing touchdowns against Kentucky Wesleyan also passed Pipkin in career passing touchdowns at 92.
- Watson's main weapons are Anthony Lowe with 59 catches (1st in the GMAC) for 790 yards (1st in the GMAC), and nine touchdown catches (1st in the GMAC). Lowe leads the conference in All-Purpose yards with 790 receiving, 268 kick return, and 209 punt return yards, for a total of 1266 yards averaging 126.6 per game.
- Jalen Thomas has 27 catches for 455 yards (15th in the GMAC) and five receiving touchdowns (T-3rd in the GMAC) and teammate Reggie Colson has come on late in the year with 22 catches for 376 yards, and four receiving touchdowns, averaging 17.1 yards per catch.
- Tiffin has a three pronged rush attach with Darius Pinnix leading the way with 138 rushes (3rd in the GMAC) for 625 yards (3rd in the GMAC) averaging 62.5 per game (6th in the GMAC) and seven rushing touchdowns (2nd in the GMAC). Nick Watson rushed 62 times for 266 yards and four rushing touchdowns, and Marcus Davis rushed 44 times for 135 yards, and scored two touchdowns.
Tiffin Defense
- Tiffin's defense has dominated the opposition, only allowing 321.0 yards of total offense (1st in the GMAC), 116.5 rushing yards allowed (3rd in the GMAC), 204.5 passing yards (2nd in the GMAC) and holding opponents to 19.8 points per game (1st in the GMAC).
- Tiffin has registered 22 sacks (3rd in the GMAC), 12 interceptions (3rd in the GMAC), 58 tackles for loss, and 10 forced fumbles.
- The D-line is led by the GMAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Charlie Cleveland with 50 tackles, 7 sacks (2nd in the GMAC), and 7.0 tackles for loss, Landon Hall with 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup, and Latrell Robinson with 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one pick six.
- Tiffin's secondary is led by Jermaine Wimpye who has 57 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one interception, and six pass breakups, Kevin Hyde with 34 tackles, six interceptions, and four pass breakups, and Tyler Richardson with 37 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and 0.5 sacks.