Football Battles But Falls To Tiffin 34-27

OVERVIEW – TIFFIN

SCORE: Tiffin Dragons 34, Northwood Timberwolves 27
RECORDS: Northwood (0-3, 0-1 GMAC), Tiffin (3-0, 1-0 GMAC)
LOCATION: Hantz Field – Midland, Mich.
RECAP: Northwood Football drops 34-27 battle to Tiffin in first GMAC contest of the season (September 16).

INSIDE THE GAME

• Tiffin struck first in the contest with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kason Martin to Jalen Thomas to cap off a six-play, 84-yard drive. A successful two-point conversion put the score at 8-0 with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.
• After holding the Northwood offense to a three and out, the Dragon offense marched 88 yards down the field on their following drive. Martin's 21-yard completion to Josh Lewis extended the Tiffin lead to 15-0.
• The Timberwolves responded with an eight-play, 63-yard drive, highlighted by a 28-yard rush down the middle by Cashual Goldsmith and a 22-yard completion from Jacob Barlage to Shamarr Wright. Jake Kelbert finished off the drive with a three-yard touchdown rush. The extra point attempt by Max Gonos was successful, making the score 15-7 with just over a minute to go in the first quarter.
• The Northwood defense, facing a Tiffin first and goal, came up with three huge stops to hold Tiffin to three points. The 24-yard field goal extended the Tiffin advantage to 18-7 with just under nine minutes to go in the second quarter.
• The Dragon's following offensive possession brought them all the way back to the Northwood 12-yard line, threatening to extend their lead further. Stevie Douglas stepped up in a huge way to intercept the pass attempt directly on the goal line. Douglas went on to return the ball down the length of the field for the electrifying 100-yard pick six. With 4:33 remaining in the half, Northwood brought themselves within four points of the Dragons with a score of 18-14.
• Another big stop for the Northwood defense allowed the offense to start their drive from the Tiffin 46. They traveled to the 8-yard line to set up Max Gonos for the 24-yard field goal and put the score within one with under a minute to go.
• Just eight seconds later, Cole Simpson intercepted the Tiffin pass attempt to give Northwood a final opportunity to score before the half. Gonos drilled the 35-yard field goal as time expired to give the Timberwolves the 20-18 lead as they went into halftime.
• With just under eleven minutes to go in the third quarter, the Timberwolves began their drive on their own 20-yard line. Wasting no time, they used just three plays to march down the field. A 39-yard rush from Goldsmith set Northwood up on the Tiffin 41-yard line. On the following play, Barlage fired a 35-yard pass that was brought down by Brendan Teal on the six-yard line. Deonte Higgins finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown rush as NU went up 27-18.
• The Dragons responded by driving 62 yards on 11 plays to find the endzone and put the score at 27-25 with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
• A strong kickoff return allowed Tiffin to begin their drive on the Northwood 34. The Dragons reached the three-yard line but were once again held to a field goal by the Timberwolf defense. The successful 23-yard field goal allowed Tiffin to regain the 28-27 at the end of the third quarter.
• Barlage completed an 18-yard pass to Andy Durand and a 16-yard pass to Bryan Kinley to help get Northwood to the Tiffin 25. Gonos was sent out to attempt the 42-yard field goal but was unsuccessful as Tiffin maintained the lead.
• With 8:40 to go in the game, Blackman's four-yard touchdown rush allowed the Dragons to extend their lead. Northwood's Douglas was then able to block the extra point attempt to keep the contest within seven points.
• A big stop from the defense gave Northwood possession on their own 25-yard line with 2:20 remaining in the contest. Facing 4th and 5, Barlage's pass was intercepted on the Northwood 30 as Tiffin held on for the 34-27 victory.

GAME STATS

• FIRST DOWNS: Northwood 16, Tiffin 31
• RUSHES-YARDS: Northwood 38-180, Tiffin 54-245
• PASSING YARDS: Northwood 139, Tiffin 305
• TOTAL OFFENSE, PLAYS-YARDS: Northwood 67-319, Tiffin 94-550
• TIME OF POSSESSION: Northwood 23:53, Tiffin 36:07

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

• Douglas: 15 tackles, 100-yard interception return, TD, blocked extra point
• Goldsmith: 137 rushing yards
• Barlage: 12-26, 139 passing yards
• Mbaimba Tunkara: Nine tackles, TFL
• Brendan Teal: Two receptions, 44 yards
• Higgins, Kelbert: TD

NORTHWOOD NOTES

• The 100-yard interception return by Steven Douglas ties the Northwood Football record for the longest interception return. He now shares the record with Todd Miller, who set the record against Ashland in 1987.

UP NEXT

• The Timberwolves will host Lake Erie on Saturday (September 23). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.