Football travels to Findlay in regular season finale

Tiffin University will take on Findlay in another huge G-MAC game this week.

Posted: Nov 08, 2023

Tiffin University (10-0, 8-0 G-MAC) will take on Findlay (7-3, 6-2) in a game that holds significance for the Dragons.

A win will give TU the outright G-MAC Championship. They currently have earned at least a share of the title with a one-game lead on Ashland. It would also mark the first time in school history that a team has gone unbeaten in its regular season.

Head Coach Cris Reisert, who last week became the winningest TU coach of all time with is 39th victory, will also look to solidify their regional seeding with NCAA postseason play on the horizon.

The last time TU played the Oilers, they fell short of their goal of a G-MAC Championship on Nov. 12, 2022, falling despite a nearly miraculous second-half comeback 27-25 to Findlay. Tiffin's 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. Statistically, the game favored the Dragons, as they outgained Findlay 343-250 including 217-73 on the ground.

Overall TU holds a 3-28 record against the Oilers but recent history has been much closer. Since joining the G-MAC in 2018, the Dragons are 2-3 overall with both wins coming in back-to-back G-MAC Championships seasons in 2019 and 2020. Tiffin's losses over the last two seasons have been by a combined 7 points.

FINDLAY NOTES

Findlay currently sits in sole possession of third place in the G-MAC following a tough 37-35 loss to Ashland in quadruple overtime. The Oilers are 7-3 overall and 6-2 in G-MAC play with their only other conference loss coming at the hands of Northwood on the road.

FINDLAY OFFENSE

• Findlay ranks as the second-best offense in the conference behind Tiffin, averaging 30.3 points per game and 401.0 yards per game.

• Quarterback Alec Bornhorst averages 208 passing yards per game, totaling 2,080 passing yards so far this season as well as 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is also Findlay's second-leading rusher with 500 yards on the ground and a team-high eight touchdowns.

• Halfback Brian Benson leads the team in rushing yards with 694 on 129 carries, good for an average of 5.4 yards per carry, and adds six touchdowns as well.

• Mike Rigerman is the Oilers' leading receiver with 54 catches for 669 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. He is followed by Cam Childers with 38 receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns.

FINDLAY DEFENSE

• Also ranking as the number two defense overall in the conference, the Oilers allow just 17.3 points per game and 264.8 yards per game.

• Linebacker Sam Weihrauch ranks first on the team and fifth in the conference with 69 total tackles. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 12.0.

• Weihrauch is followed by defensive back Johnny Harris with 61 tackles and has contributed three caused turnovers with two interceptions and a forced fumble.

• Jordan Grimes leads the Oilers, however, in interceptions with five and has added five pass breakups as well.

• Grey Brancifort has tallied a team-high four sacks and 42 tackles in total followed by Romaro Warren Jr. with three sacks and 52 total tackles.

TIFFIN NOTES

The Dragons are now ranked 14th in the country and second in the region behind only No. 4 Slippery Rock. Tiffin most recently beat Ohio Dominican 44-10 to improve to 8-0 in the conference. They earned a share of the G-MAC Championship and could win it outright with a victory over Findlay in the season finale.

TIFFIN OFFENSE

• The Dragon offense continues to factor high in multiple national rankings including fourth in total offense, offensive first downs, fifth in rushing offense, and sixth in scoring offense.

• Following an injury to Kason Martin, Keegan Ray has stepped up in a big way. He has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for a total of 631 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.

• Tiffin's backfield is extremely deep with three running backs that have all surpassed 600 yards including Ronald Blackman (862), Devin Nelson (628), and Tyrese Banks-Dorn (609). Banks-Dorn leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 11 followed by Blackman and Carson Gresock each with seven.

• Josh Lewis leads the Dragons in every receiving category including receptions (39), yards (648), touchdowns (8), and average yards per game (64.8). He is followed by Jalen Thomas with 26 catches for 381 yards and five touchdowns. Will Linkhart is third in receiving yards with 257 and has added two touchdowns.

TIFFIN DEFENSE

• Defensively, TU ranks first in the nation in both turnover margin and turnovers gained. They are also third in defensive touchdowns and defensive team passing efficiency while ranking ninth in scoring defense.

• Zeke Brown and Ramond Jackson are both tied for the team lead in total tackles with 49, followed closely by Patrick Tueimeh with 46. Brown has recorded two forced fumbles and an interception while both Jackson and Tueimeh have each recorded two interceptions.

• The Dragons' interception leader is safety Chucky Lewis with four. He has also added a team-high six pass breakups.

• Antonio O'Berry and Robert Holtz are staples on the defensive line with 7.5 and 7.0 sacks respectively. The pair have a combined 21.5 tackles for loss.