Dragons travel to Thomas More in next test

Tiffin University hits the road to Thomas More in G-MAC action.
Tiffin University hits the road to Thomas More in G-MAC action.
Posted: Sep 28, 2023

 

Tiffin University (4-0, 2-0 G-MAC) travels to Thomas More (3-1, 2-0) in its next conference showdown.

This marks the first-ever meeting between the Dragons and Thomas More. The Saints are competing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference for the first time in 2023-24. Prior to this season, the Saints completed four seasons in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference in 2022. Those seasons brought records of 4-7, 2-5, 5-5, and 5-6.

THOMAS MORE NOTES

Thomas More boasts a 3-1 record overall and 2-0 in the G-MAC, their only loss coming week one to a Davenport team that was receiving votes at the time and is now ranked 18th. The Saints are coming off the back of a 26-10 victory over Walsh and currently sit in a tie for second place in the conference.

THOMAS MORE OFFENSE

Thomas More ranks fifth in the G-MAC in points per game at 24.5 but ninth in total yards per game with 252.3.
• Quarterback Rae'Von Vaden has completed 47.66% of his passes for 452 yards. The dual-threat QB has recorded eight total touchdowns, five through the air and three on the ground.
• Vaden also leads the team in both rushing attempts (64) and rushing yards (243). He is followed by a backfield pairing of Jaden Hall and Emable Wakilongo with 204 and 109 rushing yards respectively.
• Freddie Johnson leads the Saints in both receptions with 16 and receiving yards with 118. Mike Kirch has reeled in the most touchdown receptions with three on seven catches for 99 yards.


THOMAS MORE DEFENSE

Statistically, Thomas More has the best defense in the G-MAC, allowing just 14.5 points per game and 214.8 yards per game.
• Del Thomas has recorded 30 total tackles for the Saints so far this season, which ranks seventh in the conference. He is followed by Isaac Abdon (18) and Jackson Gear (17).
• Defensive back Colton Sandhas leads the team with two interceptions, two pass breakups and has tallied 17 total tackles as well.
• Gear has picked up three sacks followed closely by fellow defensive lineman Ross Halverstadt with 2.5.

 

TIFFIN NOTES

Tiffin has improved to 30th in the latest AFCA Division II Poll and is the only G-MAC school ranked nationally, steadily climbing the polls after their 4-0 start. The Dragons most recently downed Ashland 55-30 to improve to 2-0 in the conference.

TIFFIN OFFENSE

Tiffin's offense ranks second in the country for total offense and first downs and is third in scoring average.
• Quarterback Kason Martin has completed 63.1% of his passes for a total of 1,030 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averages 257.5 yards per game and boasts a quarterback efficiency rating of 160.5.
• The Dragons have a loaded backfield spearheaded by Devin Nelson and Ronald Blackman. Nelson leads the team in both rushes (59) and rushing yards (400) but is followed closely by Blackman with 388 yards on a whopping 8.6 yards per carry. Blackman and Tyrese Banks-Dorn both have four rushing touchdowns followed by Nelson with three.
• There is a new reception leader for Tiffin as Josh Lewis (17) surpassed Cole Schnieder (16) last week against Ashland. Lewis also leads the team in receiving yards with 322 and is tied for the most touchdown receptions with Jalen Thomas each with four.


TIFFIN DEFENSE

Defensively, the Dragons rank high nationally as well, leading the country in turnover margin and turnovers gained while placing second in passes intercepted. They are third in both defensive touchdowns and fumbles recovered.
• Linebacker Jesse Connell leads a well-rounded defensive effort with 21 total tackles followed by five Dragons all tied with 19 tackles including Barry Brown, Zeke Brown, Robert Holtz, Ramond Jackson, and Patrick Tueimeh. 
• Holtz leads the team in both sacks with 4.5 as well as tackles for loss with seven.
• Chucky Lewis leads the secondary with two interceptions and is tied with Jesse Johnson for the most pass breakups with three.