Tiffin takes on Panthers on road

Tiffin takes on Ohio Dominican on the road Nov. 4.
Tiffin takes on Ohio Dominican on the road Nov. 4.
Posted: Nov 03, 2023

Tiffin University (9-0, 7-0 G-MAC) takes on Ohio Dominican (4-5, 3-4) on the road as the team enters the home stretch of the regular season.

Overall TU holds a 7-7 record against the Panthers but has won the last five in a row. Their last loss to ODU was in 2015, and TU has not lost to the Panthers as a member of the G-MAC. They have a 158-104 scoring edge during that stretch with last year's effort being the best defensive showing by TU over that period with just 13 points allowed.

Tiffin University used a balanced offensive attack and strong defense to defeat Ohio Dominican in its 2022 home opener 28-13. Overall the Dragons' defense held ODU to just 38 yards rushing and posted 4 sacks in the game while holding ODU to just 4 for 11 on third-down conversions. The TU offense posted 209 yards rushing and 213 yards passing for 422 total yards. They also had 27 first downs to ODU's 17.

ODU NOTES

The Panthers sit in a tie for fifth place in the G-MAC standings. ODU was on a three-game win streak before falling to Findlay on the road last week, 24-3. The Panthers are 4-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Three of those five losses have been by margins of three points or less.

ODU OFFENSE

• The offense ranks as the eighth best in the G-MAC when it comes to offensive points per game with 16.8 and ninth in offensive yards per game at 270.0.
• Both Drew Gallehue and Jake Byrd have seen a near-equal amount of snaps at QB. Gallehue has completed 60.84% of his passes for 780 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions while Byrd has completed 52.76% for 738 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.
• Leading tailback Travis Whittaker averages 3.9 yards per carry and totals 479 yards and three touchdowns so far this year.
• Ty Wiley is the go-to receiver with 38 catches for 532 yards and three touchdowns. He is followed by Jayden Cornell and Whittaker with 23 receptions each and 233 and 171 yards receiving respectively.


ODU DEFENSE

• ODU has found the majority of its success on the defensive side of the ball, ranking third in both points allowed per game at 15.4 and yards allowed per game with 269.0.
• Linebacker Brady Blattner leads the Panthers in total tackles with 59 followed closely by Jayden Hill with 55 and Eddie Miller-Garrett with 53. Blattner leads the defense in caused turnovers with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
• Daishaun Hill leads the team in interceptions with three on the year and has added two pass breakups as well.
• The defensive line is bolstered by the G-MAC's sack-leader, Miller-Garrett, with 10.5. He has amassed 15 QB hits and six pass breakups as well. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 20.5.


TIFFIN NOTES

The Dragons improved to number 17 in the country in the most recent AFCA Coaches Poll after defeating Walsh, 40-13, for its ninth consecutive victory. TU is now 7-0 in conference play and ranks second in its region, behind only No. 5 Slippery Rock.

TIFFIN OFFENSE

• The Dragon offense continues to factor high in multiple national rankings including second in total offense, third in offensive first downs, and third in rushing offense.
• Kason Martin leads the offense with 1,671 passing yards with a 64.4 completion percentage. He has tallied 16 passing touchdowns so far this year and averages 208.9 yards per game.
• Tiffin's backfield is extremely deep with three running backs that have all surpassed 500 yards including Ronald Blackman (831), Tyrese Banks-Dorn (570), and Devin Nelson (547). Banks-Dorn leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 10 followed by Blackman and Carson Gresock each with seven.
• Josh Lewis leads TU in every receiving category including receptions (34), yards (560), touchdowns (7), and average yards per game (62.2). He is followed by Cole Schnieder and Jalen Thomas each with 23 and 22 catches respectively. Thomas is second in receiving yards with 334 and touchdowns with five.


TIFFIN DEFENSE

• Defensively, TU ranks third in the nation in turnovers gained, defensive touchdowns, passing yards allowed, and defensive team passing efficiency. They are also fourth in turnovers gained.
• Ramond Jackson leads the team in total tackles with 47 and has displayed his versatility with six tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two interceptions and two sacks.
• Zeke Brown and Jesse Connell lead the linebacking corps with 44 and 39 tackles and have combined for nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
• Bolstering the secondary is Patrick Tueimeh with 43 tackles and an interception and Chucky Lewis with 23 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.
• Antonio O'Berry and Robert Holtz are staples on the defensive line with 7.0 and 6.5 sack respectively. The pair have a combined 19.5 tackles for loss.