Tiffin's Homecoming football game proved to be a rainy and sloppy affair for both teams, as a late charge by the TU offense came up just short in a 24-21 loss to Hillsdale.
A combined 6 fumbles and 3 interceptions during torrential rains during most of the contest marred the GMAC opener for both teams. With four total turnovers (3 interceptions and a fumble), most of the miscues went against the Dragons.
Tiffin's first three possessions of the game ended in two interceptions and a sack leading to a fumble recovery for Hillsdale, but the Chargers only managed to convert a 41-yard field goal to lead 3-0 at that point midway through the first quarter.
Hillsdale made it 10-0 after a 56 yard drive early in the second quarter, but this time TU bounced back, driving 73 yards on 6 plays as Anthony Lowe hauled in an 11 yard TD pass from Nick Watson to make it 10-7.
With the rains pounding down, both offenses started to stall. Neither team made any more progress before heading to the halftime locker room. Still, considering the number of turnovers and the adverse weather, the Dragons trailed by just three points.
That changed with Hillsdale's first possession of the second half. A big 65-yard run by Jack Robinson led to a score to cap a 75-yard drive that made it 17-7, Hillsdale.
After a three-and-out by TU, Hillsdale put the pressure on with another TD. An 18 yard touchdown pass pushed the Chargers' lead to 24-7 with 7:26 to play in the third quarter.
Tiffin started its comeback effort with a drive that started late in the third quarter. Watson completions to Lowe and Darius Pinnix along with a 14-yard scramble preceded a 21 yard completion to Reggie Colson. Lowe than made a sensational catch in the corner of the end zone on a 11 yard TD reception that brought TU to with 24-14.
Tiffin had time to get the offense clicking and, after Jermaine Wimpye forced a Hillsdale fumble that was recovered by James Weaver, TU found itself in Hillsdale's territory with 10:37 to play. TU got down to the Hillsdale 32 yard line before another interception ended the TU drive on fourth down.
After holding Hillsdale to three-and-out, Lowe got the remaining TU crowd even more excited, as he returned the ensuing punt 76 yards for a special teams score that suddenly brought TU to within 24-21 with 5:36 to play.
TU's defense did its job, getting the offense two more possessions before time ran out. The first drive stalled at the Hillsdale 40 yard line after a fourth-down incompletion. TU's final drive started on their own 3 yard line and proceeded down to Hillsdale's 49 yard line but three straight incompletions sealed TU's fate as the ball changed hands on downs.
Overall TU outgained Hillsdale 330-258 but Hillsdale enjoyed a 7:00 advantage in time of possession. They outgained TU on the ground 195-99, keeping the clock moving once they had amassed their 17 point lead. TU converted just 3 of 17 third-down conversions.
Lowe had a massive game, totaling 252 all purpose yards with 81 receiving yards, 79 kick return yards, and 92 punt return yards. Colson also totaled 49 yards receiving, while Watson finished with 226 yards on 20 of 46 passing with 3 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. Pinnix led the rushers with 60 yards.
Landon Hall led the defense with 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Wimpye had 8 stops and 2 forced fumbles. Torrey Hunt and Brandon Burks had 7 tackles each, with Burks getting a sack. Latrell Robinson had 6 tackles and a forced fumble, and Cameron Fox registered 2 sacks.