Tiffin takes on #6 Ashland on the road in its biggest game yet of the 2022 season.
Posted: Oct 19, 2022
Tiffin University (4-2, 4-0 GMAC) travels to sixth-ranked Ashland (6-0, 4-0) on Oct. 22 for a game with huge natioal and GMAC implications.
A win would give the Dragons a huge conference victory that would keep them in first place but also elevate them in the eyes of regional and national voters.
Tiffin holds a 2-7 record against the Eagles. Prior to last season's 27-21 win, 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 383-170 scoring advantage over the Dragons over the duration of the series.
LAST TIME OUT
Tiffin University used a 9:00 advantage in possession time, a huge performance from Darius Pinnix, and clutch defensive stands to hold off Ashland 27-21 on Oct. 16, 2021. TU controlled the ball for 34:30 while AU had possession for 25:30, with the Dragons totaling 23 first downs during that span to the Eagles' 17. TU put together 20 first-half points to lead at halftime 20-7, and ultimately held AU to just 4 for 15 on third down conversions.
ASHLAND OFFENSE
-The Eagles Offense is second in the conference, trailing only the Dragons, averaging 33.0 points per game, first in the conference in total yards with 2463, first in rushing yards with 1191, and fifth in the conference in passing yards with 1272 yards.
- Austin Brenner is the starting quarterback for the Eagles this season and has led them to a 6-0 record this season. Through the air, Keller has thrown for 1040 yards, with a 64.4 completion percentage, and thrown for 7 touchdowns.
- Austin's main target this year has been Logan Bolin who has 28 catches for 429 yards and eight touchdowns, teammate Garrett Turnbaugh has 15 receptions for 201 yards, and Malik Wooldridge has 18 catches for 177 yards.
- Larry Martin leads the backfield with 83 rushes for 463 yards and six rushing touchdowns. He is also a threat in the passing game as he tallied six catches for 70 yards this season. Gei'vonni Washington is second on the team in rushing with 65 carries for 416 yards and six touchdowns.
ASHLAND DEFENSE
-Ashland's defense has been strong this season, leading the GMAC in points allowed holding opponents to 9.2 points per game, first in the conference in total yards holding teams to 204.3 yards, first in rushing defense allowing only 84 yards, and leads the GMAC in passing defense allowing 120.3 yards through the air. The Eagles are first in the GMAC in sacks with 20, and have forced 11 turnovers so far this season.
- The Eagles' defense is led by Michael Ayers who has 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery, Jackson Myers is second on the team with 32 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry, and Deeb Alawan rounds out the Eagles' front with 13 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one quarterback hurry.
- Jourdan Swett leads the backfield as he has 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, leads the team with two interceptions, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble, Jovon Swell has 23 tackles and five pass breakups, and Justin Moore tallied 21 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.
TIFFIN OFFENSE
- The Dragons' offense is averaging 33.3 points per game this season.
- TU is first in the conference in points per game, second in the conference in total yards at 2553 for an average of 425.5 yards per game, is second in the conference in rushing yards with 1176, fourth in the conference in passing yards with 1377 yards, and fourth in the conference in total touchdowns with 22.
- Christian Carter is 125-for-193 completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 1373 yards, and has thrown for six passing touchdowns. Carter is second on the team in rushing as he has 53 rushes for 264 yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
- Darius Pinnix leads all rushers as he rushed 98 times for 588 yards and five touchdowns, and teammate Devin Nelson is third on the team in rushing as he has 30 attempts for 144 yards.
- Anthony Lowe has been on a tear as he has registered 51 catches for 559 yards and one touchdown. The senior is first in the conference in all-purpose yards with 150 punt return yards and 218 kick return yards along with three returns for touchdowns.
- Josh Lewis rounds out the group with 19 catches for 252 yards, and three touchdowns and Jalen Thomas has also put up big numbers with 17 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
TIFFIN DEFENSE
- Tiffin's defense stays dominant as they are second in the conference in points allowed at 14.2 per game, second in the conference in total yards allowed at 279.3 yards per game, second in the GMAC in rushing defense only allowing 92.5 rushing yards per game, third in the conference in pass defense allowing 186.8 passing yards per game, third in the conference in sacks with 17, and leads the conference in takeaways with eight interceptions.
- Sir Zion Dance leads the defense as he has 45 tackles this season, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one block, followed by teammate Patrick Tueimeh with 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one block.
- Barry Brown is third on the team with 28 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and one pass breakup.
- Charlie Cleveland has registered 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries.
- Jermaine Wimpye is tied for first on the team in interceptions with Chucky Lewis with three. Lewis has 23 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups, while Wimpye has 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups.
- Montez Kelley leads the team in sacks with 3.5 this season, he has 5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery and Latrell Robinson has 14 tackles this year, and one sack.