Statistically, almost everything seemed to go Tiffin University's way.
Yet, the final score read Truman 18, Tiffin 17 in overtime after the Bulldogs converted their second attempt at a two-point conversion for the victory.
Tiffin (2-2) outgained Truman 399 to 221, including holding Truman to 65 yards rushing. They totaled 23 first downs to Truman's 14. Truman was held to just 1 for 11 on third-down conversions, and the Dragons held a nearly 9:00 advantage in time of possession.
But the most telling statistic was the penalty totals, which showed the Dragons called for 9 penalties for 102 yards. Truman was called for one foul for 15 yards.
That disparity kept the door open for the Bulldogs, which battled back from a 10-0 deficit and never led until the final play of the game.
Tiffin first got on the board after an 81-yard drive covering 19 plays when Nick Basile booted a 22-yard field goal at the 6:39 mark of the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
They added to that lead at the 13:48 mark of the second quarter when Christian Carter capped off a 13-play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard TD run to push TU's lead to 10-0.
Truman answered with a score at the 8:31 mark on a 2-yard run that made the score 10-7 at halftime.
The defenses battled each other throughout the second half, with neither team allowing a score until late in the fourth quarter. TU had a chance to put the game away when Truman went for it on 4th-and-10 from their own 38-yard line, but the Dragons gave up a 39-yard pass play over the middle that put the Bulldogs in instant field goal position. They converted on a 39-yard field goal with just 50 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
The Dragons got the ball first and scored in just two plays, as Darius Pinnix raced into the end zone on a 17-yard run. After converting the extra point, TU was up 17-10.
Truman then followed with their own score on a 6-yard run that made the score 17-16, Tiffin. TU appeared to hold off the Bulldogs on the pass conversion but a penalty flag gave the Bulldogs a second chance. Truman passed right, connecting with a receiver who was met immediately by a Dragons defender near the goal line. The officials signalled conversion good, and the win went to the Bulldogs.
Overall Carter connected on 26 of 39 passes for 251 yards with one interception while also rushing for 48 yards on 10 carries.
Pinnix finished with 78 yards rushing on 21 carries, while Anthony Lowe had 107 yards receiving on 9 catches. Josh Lewis also had 64 yards receiving.
Defensively Patrick Tueimeh led the way with 8 tackles, while Sir Zion Dance had 7 tackles with a sack. James Weaver III and Chucky Lewis had 6 stops apiece, while Hunter Waits also h ad a sack. Barry Brown also snagged an interception.