Tiffin University travels to Walsh for more GMAC action.
Posted: Nov 03, 2021
Tiffin University travels to Walsh for a 12 pm GMAC showdown as the 2021 season enters its final weeks.
Tiffin is 7-8 overall against the Cavaliers, but have won five in a row coming into this contest. TU has not lost to Walsh since 2014. In the Cris Reisert era, TU has a 73-14 scoring advantage over Walsh, including a 52-0 shutout back in 2019. TU has outscored Walsh during this 5-game winning streak 169-54.
Tiffin University won a first-place matchup against Ohio Dominican last week 34-21. For the Dragons, a low-scoring first half was followed by a second half that saw their offense put up 24 points. The Dragons also benefited from quick-strike possessions, as they overcame a 9:00 minute time of possession advantage by the Panthers with big play drives and great second-half field position as a result of strong kick returns on special teams.
Walsh Offense
- Through nine games the Cavaliers' offense is averaging 280.3 total yards, 92.1 rushing yard, 188.2 passing yards, and 11.4 points per game.
- At quarterback for the Cavaliers is Jeremy Hodge who has thrown for 800 yards, completed 49.3 percent of his throws, five touchdown passes, and a 100.5 efficiency rating. Hodge is second on the team in rushing with 59 rushes for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
- Thomas Wilks is the lead in the backfield for Walsh with 123 rushes for 452 yards averaging 50.2 yards per game and Koby Adu-Poku has rushed 27 times for 73 yards.
- Freshman wideout Jaden Gresham leads the receiving corps for the Cavaliers with 31 catches for 373 yards, averaging 46.6 yards per game, and has two touchdown receptions. Keyshawn Johnson is another key receiver for the Cavaliers as he has 18 receptions for 255 yards.
Walsh Defense
- Walsh's defense has allowed 368.6 yards a game, 206.3 passing yards allowed per game (3rd in the GMAC), 162.2 rushing yards allowed per game, and 29.0 points per game.
- The defense is led by senior linebacker Sal Sidebotham with 89 tackles (1st in the GMAC), 9.0 tackles for loss (10th in the GMAC), 3.5 sacks, one interception, and one pass breakup, Diego Bremer with 59 tackles and two pass breakups, and teammate Marcus Shellenbarger who has 44 tackles, leads the team with 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
Tiffin Offense
- The Dragons' offense is potent as they average 31.1 points per game (3rd in the GMAC), 261.6 passing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 20 passing touchdowns (T-1st in the GMAC), and 155.8 rushing yards (3rd in the GMAC) with 15 rushing touchdowns (3rd in the GMAC).
- Nick Watson has thrown for 2231 yards (2nd in the GMAC) with a 56.2 completion percentage, 20 passing touchdowns (T-1st in the GMAC), and a 135.5 efficiency rating.
- Nick Watson was named GMAC Offensive Player of the Week accounting for 427 yards of the team's 512 total, throwing for 353 yards on 18 completions, and two passing touchdowns, and rushing for 74 yards and one more touchdown.
- With Watson's 215 yards against Ashland he eclipsed Antonio Pipkin in career passing yards to claim the No. 1 spot in program history. Watson's four passing touchdowns against Kentucky Wesleyan also passed Pipkin in career passing touchdowns at 92.
- Watson's main weapons are Anthony Lowe with 55 catches (1st in the GMAC) for 703 yards (1st in the GMAC), and eight touchdown catches (T-1st in the GMAC). Lowe leads the conference in All-Purpose yards with 703 receiving, 268 kick return, and 205 punt return yards, for a total of 1089 yards, averaging 130.6 per game.
- Tiffin has a three pronged rush attack with Darius Pinnix leading the way with 130 rushes (2nd in the GMAC) for 592 yards (4th in the GMAC) averaging 65.8 per game (5th in the GMAC) and six rushing touchdowns (3rd in the GMAC), Nick Watson has rushed 61 times for 257 yards and four rushing touchdowns, and Baden Pinson has rushed 40 times for 214 yards.
- 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 has dominated the opposition, only allowing 327.6 yards of total offense (1st in the GMAC), 124.3 rushing yards allowed (3rd in the GMAC), 203.2 passing yards (2nd in the GMAC) and holding opponents to 20.2 points per game (1st in the GMAC).
- Tiffin has registered a conference leading 20 sacks (1st in the GMAC), 11 interceptions (3rd in the GMAC), 53 tackles for loss, and nine forced fumbles.
- The D-line is led the GMAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Charlie Cleveland with 45 tackles, 6 sacks (4th in the GMAC), and 6.0 tackles for loss, Landon Hall with 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup, and Latrell Robinson with 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one pick six.
- Tiffin's secondary is led by Jermaine Wimpye who has 54 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one interception, and six pass breakups, Kevin Hyde with 33 tackles, five interceptions, and four pass breakups, and Tyler Richardson with 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and 0.5 sacks.