Tiffin University (5-0, 3-0 G-MAC) scored 44 unanswered points as it handed Thomas More (3-2, 2-1) its first conference loss 47-9.
The Saints opened well, scoring all 9 points in the first quarter and holding Tiffin to just 3 points after 15:00.
The start quickly turned south for Thomas More in the second quarter, when the Dragons exploded for 20 points to take a 23-9 lead into halftime.
The Saints scored on a 2-yard TD run after a 53-yard drive at the 11:27 mark of the first quarter to lead 7-0. After a Grant Woodfin 20-yard field goal pulled Tiffin to within 7-3, the Saints pinned TU on its own goal line after a punt. Thomas More's defense swarmed TU quarterback Kason Martin, resulting in a safety as the Saints took a 9-3 lead.
Tiffin's defense took over in a major way starting in the second quarter. Thomas More's first three possessions of the quarter resulted in only one first down with TU getting points on all three subsequent possessions.
Martin connected with Josh Lewis on a 25-yard TD strike at the 11:55 mark to put TU ahead for the first time 10-9. After TU stopped the Saints on fourth down, TU quickly moved 29 yards and scored when Martin hit Tyrese Banks-Dorn on a 2-yard pass.
The Saints' next possession proved costly, as Adrian Bowers blocked their punt attempt with Will Linkhart scooping up the block and running back to the Saints' 1-yard line. Martin then pushed the ball into the end zone to make it 23-9.
The dominance continued into the second half as the Dragons scored 14 more points.
Tiffin's first possession of the second half was a backbreaker, with Ronald Blackman taking over in the rushing game as TU drove 99 yards in 7 plays for the score. A big 44-yard run by Blackman highlighted the drive, which ended when Martin hit James Dean on a 19-yard TD pass that made it 30-9 at the 7:54 mark of the third quarter.
After another three-and-out, TU scored again to cap an 80-yard drive. Blackman had a 37-yard run along the way, and Carson Gresock finished it off with a 2-yard run up the middle to make it 37-9 at the 2:18 mark of the quarter.
Tiffin also scored on its two possessions of the fourth quarter. An 80-yard drive covering 7:02 saw Martin completing short passes and the running game churning up yards. Martin again pushed the ball in from the 1-yard line to make it 44-9.
Tiffin's final score came with 3:05 left as Woodfin connected on a 19-yard field goal after a big 62-yard breakaway run by Gresock set them up deep in Saints' territory.
The Dragons completely dominated the offensive numbers, outgaining Thomas More 568-174 in total offense. They gained 375 yards on the ground, averaging 7.7 yards per rush, and had 27 first downs to the Saints' 12.
The Dragons also scored on all 7 of their red-zone opportunities while the defense held Thomas More to just 5 of 17 on third-down conversions.
TU's defense also had 4 sacks as they pressured the Saints' quarterback all day. Zach McMinn had 2 sacks, while DJ Harris also had a sack. Radical Rothermel and Antonio O'Berry had a half-sack apiece.
Blackman's stellar season continued with his strongest game yet, as he gained 189 yards on 17 carries for an 11.1 yards per carry average. Gresock added 83 yards on 6 carries for a 13.8 average. Martin also added 42 yards from the quarterback spot along with 19 of 28 passing for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns with just one interception.
Jack Stultz led the receivers with 44 yards while Linkhart also had 37 yards.
Ramond Jackson, Jesse Connell, and Harris led the defense with 5 tackles apiece with Connell, Rothermel, and O'Berry also getting 1.5 tackles for loss each. Overall TU had 10 tackles for loss. Barry Brown also had 4 tackles.
Tiffin now returns home to take on Hillsdale on Oct. 7. Game time is 12 pm at Frost Kalnow Stadium.