Northwest Wayne News

TIFFIN, Ohio -- For the fifth consecutive season and third straight year on the road, the Wayne State University football team (0-1 overall) began its season against a top-30 nationally-ranked opponent. After facing Slippery Rock in previous seasons (2019 and 2021 at home, and 2022 and 2023 on the road), the Warriors traveled to face the 29th-ranked Tiffin University Dragons (1-0 overall) on Thursday evening at Frost-Kalnow Stadium.

WSU took a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the contest before Tiffin scored 24 consecutive points. Wayne State outscored the hosts 14-7 over the final eight minutes but ultimately fell 31-17.

First Quarter

The Warriors won the opening toss and deferred. On TU's third play, senior linebacker Carl Ware forced a fumble on a sack, which was recovered by junior defensive end Aaron Mass, who was making his first collegiate start.

Despite having a first-and-goal from the Dragon eight-yard line, Wayne State lost 14 yards in three plays and settled for a 40-yard field goal from graduate student Griffin Milovanski. Last year, Milovanski set WSU records for field goals made (16) and 40-yard field goals made (8), earning First Team All-GLIAC recognition.

Tiffin ran three straight plays before quarterback Alex Johnson completed three consecutive passes, culminating in a 36-yard touchdown pass to running back Ronald Blackman.

Following a WSU punt, TU drove to the Warrior two-yard line, but Johnson's pass into the end zone was intercepted by junior Jonathan Tillman.

Second Quarter

On Wayne State's second play of the ensuing drive, Tiffin's defense forced a fumble and recovered it at WSU's ten-yard line. On third-and-goal, Johnson connected with Blackman for another touchdown pass, giving Tiffin a 14-3 advantage.

A Warrior punt preceded a fourth-down stop by Wayne State's defense. Each team punted again before WSU drove into Tiffin territory for an apparent touchdown pass that was nullified due to an ineligible man downfield penalty.

Tiffin had a significant edge in total offense through the first half with 162 yards compared to WSU’s 46 yards despite nearly identical numbers of offensive plays.

Third Quarter

Both teams punted on their first possession after halftime. On Wayne State’s next drive, Tiffin recovered another fumble at WSU’s twenty-three yard line and extended its lead with a scoring pass from Johnson to Joey Zalewski.

After an interception by TU, they added three more points with Ben Rudolph’s field goal. Another interception thrown by WSU gave TU good field position again.

Fourth Quarter

TU reached the red zone but fumbled; junior Elijah Fowlkes recovered it for Wayne State in their end zone. Both teams then exchanged turnovers before Wayne State capitalized on good field position with D'Marco Singleton catching a fifteen-yard touchdown pass from Justin Cox.

Tiffin responded immediately as Jalen Thomas caught a short pass and outran defenders for seventy yards. WSU completed its scoring drive with Cox throwing another touchdown pass to Myles McKatherine with under two minutes remaining. The ensuing onside kick failed as Tiffin ran out the clock.

Team Stats

Tiffin held an advantage in total offense (374 to 176 yards), including rushing yards (145 to 38). The game featured nine turnovers—five by WSU and four by Tiffin.

Leading Performers

Singleton led Wayne State rushers with twenty-four yards while Cox passed for one hundred thirty-nine yards with two touchdowns but also threw two interceptions. Kaleb Coleman recorded nine tackles while Ware had two sacks and forced one fumble.

For Tiffin: Blackman rushed for one hundred eight yards; Johnson completed twenty of twenty-seven passes totaling two hundred twenty-nine yards along with four touchdowns; Thomas had seven receptions totaling one hundred twenty-six receiving yards including one touchdown; Isaiah Foster led defensively alongside Kenneth Byrd & Khris Walton each recording six tackles apiece.

Up Next

Wayne State will host its home opener against Findlay Oilers on Saturday September fourteenth at one pm.