Tiffin University (6-4, 6-2 G-MAC) fell short of its goal of a G-MAC Championship, falling despite a nearly miraculous second-half comeback 27-25 to Findlay.
Tiffin miscues ultimately spelled doom on Senior Day, as three lost fumbles led directly to 17 Findlay points and a 24-point deficit early in the second half.
Despite the huge hole, TU amazingly fought back. Trailing 24-0, Devin Nelson took over with power rushing, gaining 56 yards on TU's next drive culminating in a 12-yard Nelson TD run that made it 24-6. A conversion from Christian Carter to Anthony Lowe made it 24-8.
Findlay's ensuing fumble of the kickoff gave TU great field position at the UF 20-yard line. Four plays later, Darius Pinnix banged it in from 7 yards out. Another two-point conversion from Carter to Jalen Thomas suddenly made it a one-score game at 24-16 with 7:52 left in the third quarter.
The Dragons' defense continued to exert itself in the second half, with Charlie Cleveland leading the way. With Findlay starting a drive early in the fourth quarter on their own 10-yard line, Cleveland sacked the quarterback in the end zone for a safety, making the score 24-18, Findlay with nearly the entire quarter to play.
The sack was noteworthy as it gave Cleveland a share of Tiffin's career sack record, tying Lewie Montgomery with 30. His 2.5 tackles for loss in the game also gave him sole possession of TU's career tackles for loss mark with 53. This shatters Montgomery's former mark of 51 set in 1999.
Tiffin took the ensuing kickoff after the safety and comleted the comeback, with Carter handing off to Anthony Lowe on a rush around left end for 24 yards streaking down the sideline and into the end zone to put TU ahead 25-24 with 13:03 on the clock.
Findlay regained its composure, though, kicking a 19-yard field goal after a drive that ate up 7:38 on the clock and putting the Oilers back on top 27-25.
The Dragons got the ball back with 5:17 left in the game on their own 28-yard line but could get no further than their 35. A fourth-and-16 play that would have resulted in a first down inside Oilers' territory was dropped, ending the drive and TU's best chance to retake the lead.
Statistically the game favored the Dragons, as they outgained Findlay 343-250 including 217-73 on the ground. TU had 22 first downs to Findlay's 12.
Nelson finished with 126 yards rushing on 21 carries, followed by Pinnix with 81 yards on 17 touches. Lowe had 41 yards rushing, 39 yards receiving, and 20 kick return yards.
Cleveland led TU's defense with 10 tackles, while Sir Zion Dance had 8 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Patrick Tueimeh also had 8 stops with an 18-yard interception, and Jermaine Wimpye had 7 tackles with a tackle for loss.