Dragons come home for tilt with Ashland

Zach McMinn and the Dragons come home to tangle with Ashland on Sept. 23 at 4 pm.
Zach McMinn and the Dragons come home to tangle with Ashland on Sept. 23 at 4 pm.
Posted: Sep 20, 2023

 

Tiffin University (3-0, 1-0 G-MAC) comes home to take on Ashland (1-2, 1-0 G-MAC) in another conference matchup Sept. 23 at 4 pm at Frost Kalnow Stadium.

LAST TIME OUT

Tiffin took on the 6th-ranked Ashland Eagles and fell just short 28-20 in a pivotal conference matchup on Oct. 22, 2022. Tiffin played catchup throughout the game with Ashland cracking the scoreboard first. Eventually building a 28-13 lead, the Dragons hit some big plays to get closer. Tiffin got the ball back with 2:28 for a final drive but could not get a first down. Ashland held a 20-14 edge in first downs and a 432-329 lead in total offense.

Tiffin is 2-8 overall against the Eagles in its career, but the teams are 1-1 with each other over the last two seasons. Over those games, Ashland holds a slim 49-47 scoring edge as the two teams have been strong rivals. Prior to 2021, TU had not played the Eagles since 2017 when the Eagles were members of the GLIAC.

ASHLAND NOTES

Ashland enters week 4 with a 1-2 record overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Eagles suffered defeat in their first two games, both against national-ranked opposition in the form of No. 16 IUP and No. 1 Ferris State. Ashland is coming off the back of its first win of the season in its G-MAC opener against Hillsdale, winning 38-14. The Eagles are receiving votes in the AFCA Division II National Poll and sit 40th overall.

ASHLAND OFFENSE

• Ashland ranks third in the conference in scoring, averaging 27.7 points per game. They rank seventh, however, in offensive yards per game with 270.7.
• Trevor Bycznski has completed 57.78% of his pass attempts so far this season for a total of 578 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He averages 192.67 yards per game.
• The backfield is split between Larry Martin and Gei'vonni Washington. Martin has totaled 119 yards on 39 carries and four touchdowns while Washington sits at 105 yards on 32 carries. 
• Bycznski's go-to receiver has been Dezmin Lyburtus with 18 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Opposite of Lyburtus is Jent Joseph with nine catches for 131 yards.


ASHLAND DEFENSE

• Defensively, the Eagles rank sixth in the G-MAC for points allowed per game (25.3) and fifth in total yards allowed per game (337.7). Ashland is strong up front as they lead the conference in total sacks with 14.
• Linebacker Jackson Myers leads the team in tackles with 21 total and has added a sack and an interception to his credit as well.
• A safety paring of Riely Weiss and Bobby Young are tied for the next-highest tackler, each with 17. Young has also recorded an interception and two pass breakups.
• Edge-rusher Chris Julian leads the Eagles defense and the conference in sacks with 4.5. He has tallied 13 total tackles as well as a forced fumble.

 

TIFFIN NOTES

The Dragons remain unbeaten after a G-MAC opening victory over Northwood, 34-27, on the road. Tiffin continues to receive votes in the AFCA Division II National Poll and are the highest-ranking G-MAC team at 34. The Dragons are the only remaining unbeaten team within the conference and currently sit atop the standings.

TIFFIN OFFENSE

• Offensively, the Dragons have been putting up some impressive numbers and place fourth in the nation in total offense, fourth in offensive first downs, fifth in scoring offense, and eighth in rushing offense.
• Kason Martin has completed 55 of his 93 pass attempts, good for a completion percentage of 59.1. He has totaled 750 yards passing, seven touchdowns, and averages 250 passing yards per game.
• Devin Nelson leads Tiffin with 353 yards on the ground on 46 carries and three touchdowns. He ranks fifth in the nation in yards per carry and 10th in total rushing yards. Ronald Blackmon also contributes heavily to the Dragons ground game, totaling 244 rushing yards on 34 touches and three touchdowns as well.
• Jalen Thomas leads the Dragons in receiving touchdowns with four while Josh Lewis leads in receiving yards with 214. Lewis has found the endzone twice and is tied with James Dean in receptions with nine. Tight end Cole Schnieder leads the team in receptions, however, with 11.


TIFFIN DEFENSE

• The Dragon defense ranks second in the nation in turnover margin as well as 10th in defensive passing efficiency. They also rank tied for first in the conference with the fewest points allowed per game with 16.0.
• Senior defensive lineman Robert Holtz leads the team in total tackles (16), sacks (4.5), and tackles for loss (6.5). He averages 5.3 tackles per game and has added a forced fumble as well.
• He is followed closely by linebacker Zeke Brown and defensive back Patrick Tueimeh each with 15 total tackles.
• Barry Brown and Jesse Connell each have 13 total tackles. Connell ranks fourth in the country in fumble recoveries.
• Jesse Johnson and Ramond Jackson fuel the secondary alongside Tueimeh and have 13 and 12 tackles respectively. Johnson has tallied two pass breakups and Jackson has recorded one pass breakup and one interception.