Tiffin University (11-0, 9-0 G-MAC) wrote a perfect finish to a perfect season.
The Dragons beat rival Findlay 26-7 on the road to not only secure sole claim to the G-MAC Championship but also finish off a perfect 11-0 regular season.
The win also marks the first time in school history that the Dragons have finished unbeaten in the regular season. The Dragons entered the game ranked second in the region and, coupled with Slippery Rock's 31-7 loss in the PSAC Championship game, the team could be in prime position for a strong seed in the NCAA postseason tourney. The seedings and pairings will be announced at 6 pm on Nov. 12.
The Dragons scored 19 first-half points and did not allow a Findlay point until just 4:26 remained in the game. The Dragons used a punishing ground game to churn out 255 of its 355 yards of total offense while also holding the Oilers to just 92 yards rushing. The defense also put up a strong effort, forcing 3 turnovers and registering 4 sacks.
Tiffin made a statement on its first possession of the game. Devin Nelson exploded for an 88-yard run that brought TU down to the Findlay 8-yard line. Carson Gresock then rushed it in from 2 yards out to give TU a 6-0 lead.
As the first quarter wound down, TU's Ramond Jackson forced a fumble recovered by Barry Brown at the Findlay 8-yard line. Gresock again found the end zone with a 2-yard run as the quarter ended to put TU ahead 13-0.
After a big fourth down stand by the Dragons' defense on their own 12-yard line ended a deep Findlay drive, the defense got in on the scoring on Findlay's next possession. Caleb Streat intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown at the 6:19 mark of the second quarter to put TU ahead at the half 19-0.
As the third quarter drew to a close, the Dragons started their final scoring drive of the day. Starting at their own 25-yard line, TU rushed eight times in nine plays and finished it with a score on the first play of the fourth quarter as Gresock punched it in from 6 yards out to make it 26-0 at the 14:58 mark.
Overall Tiffin had 18 first downs to Findlay's 14 and outgained UF 355-280. The TU defense also held Findlay to just 4-for-15 on third-down conversions.
Nelson led all rushers with 124 yards on 15 carries while Gresock added 71 yards on 11 touches. Tyrese Banks-Dorn posted 48 yards as well. Jalen Thomas led the receivers with 41 yards on 5 catches while Keegan Ray ran the offense on 10 of 17 passing for 100 yards with one interception.
Patrick Tueimeh led the defense with 9 tackles and a half tackle for loss while Barry Brown had 7 stops with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss along with a fumble recovery. Marshawn Mankins also had 7 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Chucky Lewis and Streat had interceptions while Brown, Antonio O'Berry, Jesse Connell, and Ramond Jackson all had sacks. Zeke Brown also had 5 tackles with a half tackle for loss.