Dragons hit the road to Lake Erie

Jermaine Wimpye and the Dragons travel to Lake Erie for their first road GMAC contest.
Jermaine Wimpye and the Dragons travel to Lake Erie for their first road GMAC contest.
Posted: Oct 08, 2021

Tiffin University and the Dragons take to the road for their second GMAC contest, travelling to Lake Erie for a 3 pm game.

Tiffin holds a 5-3 record against the Storm, having won four in a row. They hold a combined scoring advantage of 206-91 over those four meetings. TU last played Lake Erie in 2019 when they won by a 63-35 score. TU is also averaging over 51 points per game against the Storm over that stretch. 

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 over 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.

Lake Erie Notes

- The Storm are 3-2 overall with wins over Clarion, Franklin Pierce and McKendree and are 0-1 in conference play, falling to Findlay.
- Lake Erie were ranked eighth in the GMAC Preseason Poll with 7 points behind Kentucky Wesleyan.


Lake Erie Offense

- Through four games the Storm offense is averaging 351 total yards, 98.9 rushing yards, 252.2 passing yards, and 21.8 points per game. 
- Gerald Gardner gets the nod at play caller this season. He has passed for 988 yards, with a 61.7 completion percentage, six passing touchdowns, and four interceptions.
- Peyton Brown is the lead receiver for the Storm, with 14 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 18.9 yards per catch (1st in the GMAC).  Teammate Eric Daniels has nabbed 16 catches for 181 yards, and one touchdown.
- Devin Brown leads the backfield for Lake Erie, as he has 63 rushes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. 


Lake Erie Defense

- Lake Erie's defense is fourth in the GMAC in points allowed at 25.3 points a game, fifth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game at 291 yards, and seventh in the GMAC in rushing yards allowed at 167.3.
- The Storm are led by Cameren Grodhaus with 30 tackles, Michael Cox with one sack, and Thomas Cobington with three passes defended on the year. 


Tiffin Notes

- Through five game the Dragons have posted a 3-2 record to start the 2021 Fall Season.
- Tiffin was selected first in the 2021 Preseason Coaches Poll receiving 48 points with 6 first-place votes followed by Findlay, Ohio Dominican and GMAC newcomer Ashland. 
 

Tiffin Offense

- The Dragons' offense looks explosive through five games as they average 30.0 points per game (3rd in the GMAC), 267.6 passing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 13 passing touchdowns (1st in the GMAC), and 140.8 rushing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with six rushing touchdowns (35th in the GMAC). 
- Nick Watson, the reigning GMAC Player of the Year, has thrown for 1215 yards (3rd in the GMAC) with a 56.0 completion percentage, 11 passing touchdowns (T-1st in the GMAC), and a 131.2 efficiency rating. 
- Watson's main weapons are Anthony Lowe with 33 catches (1st in the GMAC) for 398 yards (3rd in the GMAC), and four touchdown catches (2nd in the GMAC), and teammate Jalen Thomas who has 23 catches (5th in the GMAC) for 344 yards (4th in the GMAC) and five receiving touchdowns (T-1st in the GMAC).
- Tiffin has a three pronged rush attach with Darius Pinnix leading the way with 52 rushes for 274 yards, averaging 54.8 per game and two rushing touchdowns, Nick Watson rushing 35 times for 135 yards and three rushing touchdowns, and Baden Pinson rushing 40 times for 214 yards, averaging 42.8 yards per game. 
- The Dragons' offensive line is led by reigning GMAC Offensive Lineman of the Year Trent Clark along with Caleb Pierce, Shane Bumgardner, Jacob Oglesby, and Zack Richardson. 


Tiffin Defense

- Tiffin's defense picked up right where they left off in the spring of 2021, as they have dominated the opposition. TU is only allowing 283 yards of total offense (1st in the GMAC), 122.8 rushing yards allowed (2nd in the GMAC), 160.38 passing yards (1st in the GMAC) and holding opponents to 19.0 points per game (1st in the GMAC). 
- Tiffin has registered a conference leading 15 sacks (1st in the GMAC), five interceptions (3rd in the GMAC), 29 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles.
- The D-line is led by GMAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Charlie Cleveland with 31 tackles, 4.5 sacks (3rd in the GMAC), and 4.5 tackles for loss, Landon Hall with 45 tackles (6th in the GMAC), 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, and Hunter Waits with 12 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2.0 tackles for loss.