In 390 B.C., the Gauls sacked Rome in one of the most devastating attacks in world history.
On Sept. 4, 2021, 19th-ranked (NCAA Div. II) Tiffin University sacked Marian quarterback Zach Bundalo 8 times en route to a devastating defensive performance leading to a 34-10 win over 9th-ranked Marian (NAIA).
The defensive dominance stymied Marian all day, as TU also picked off two passes, allowed just 35 yards rushing, and held the Knights to just 4 for 16 on 3rd-down conversions. Seven different defenders had sacks as TU swarmed around the ball carriers all day.
After both team's defenses asserted themselves in a scoreless opening quarter, TU got on the board first. Darius Pinnix took a screen pass from Nick Watson and dashed downfield, banging into the end zone on a 69 yard TD score. A missed extra point made it 6-0, Tiffin, at the 12:20 mark of the second quarter.
Marian answered quickly, driving 79 yards in 6 plays and hauling in a 15-yard touchdown pass to go ahead 7-6 at the 9:15 mark.
After a David Orlando 31 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Marian, the Knights hit a big 42 yard pass play and eventually booted a 21 yard field goal to put the Knights up 10-6 with 2:40 left in the half.
It was the last time Marian would sniff the end zone.
The Dragons, though, were just getting started.
On third and 7 from their own 28 yard line, Watsons took off up the middle and exploded for a 72 yard TD run to put TU back on top 13-10.
Marian had nearly 2:00 to try and answer, but their next drive ended when Cameron Fox intercepted a pass and rumbled 35 yards down the field to give TU another scoring opportunity. They capitalized in just one play, with Watson nailing Jalen Thomas on a 15 yard play to suddenly put the Dragons ahead 20-10 heading into halftime.
The second half saw two scores by the Dragons, both in the final quarter. Watson had another big 45 yard TD scamper to cap an 87 yard drive, and Baden Pinson had a tough 20 yard touchdown rush to end a 75 yard drive with 4:46 left in the game.
The main story, though, continued to be the hard-hitting defensive front line, as Charlie Cleveland had 9 tackles with 2 sacks, Landon Hall registered 8 tackles and a sack, Brandon Burks had 7 tackles with a tackle for loss, and Torrey Hunt had 7 tackles. Devon Nzepuome had 6 tackles and a sack, Hunter Waits bagged 5 Knights with 1.5 sacks, The-Moor Kelly had a sack and a forced fumble, and Cameron Fox, Latrell Robinson, and Tyler Richardson all had half sacks each. Jesse Johnson also had an interception.
TU had 19 first downs to Marian's 11 (only 5 allowed in the second half), and outgained the Knights 461-233 in total offense. TU held a 265-35 rushing edge, while Marian also helped the TU cause with 92 penalty yards.
Overall Nick Watson passed for 196 yards and 3 TD while rushing for 124 yards on 11 carries (12.4 yards per rush) with 2 more TDs.
Binson led a varied rushing attack with 73 yards on 11 carries, while Darius Pinnix had 40 yards rushing on 9 carries along with 2 receptions for 71 yards (111 all purpose yards). Anthony Lowe had 49 yards receiving.