Wayne State University’s football team opened its 108th season with a 34-7 loss to Tiffin University at home. The game marked the season opener for both programs.
In the first half, Wayne State’s defense forced two fumbles, with junior linebacker Logan McGraw and senior linebacker Martell Williams playing key roles. Williams recovered a fumble early in the game but Wayne State was unable to capitalize on the turnover. Tiffin responded with an 85-yard drive, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Alex Johnson to Ethan Holbrook.
Tiffin extended its lead through a field goal and an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown by Holbrook before halftime. Another field goal as time expired put Tiffin ahead 20-0 at intermission. During the first half, Tiffin outgained Wayne State in total yards, holding a 221-28 advantage.
The third quarter saw limited offensive production from both teams, with only seven combined first downs. Wayne State managed to score early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Champion Edwards threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Hickmott. Griffin Nowak converted his first career PAT attempt.
Tiffin added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter: one on a three-yard run by Tyrese Banks-Dorn and another on Johnson’s second touchdown pass of the day to Holbrook.
Statistically, Tiffin finished with 385 yards of total offense compared to Wayne State’s 135 yards. The Dragons had advantages in both rushing (132-82) and passing yards (253-53). On third down conversions, Tiffin went six-for-twelve while Wayne State was two-for-eleven.
For Wayne State, D’Vaun Bentley led all rushers with 49 yards on thirteen carries. Edwards added thirty-four rushing yards and completed seven of ten passes for forty-eight yards and one touchdown. Hickmott caught three passes for thirty-seven yards and scored once. Defensively, McGraw recorded twelve tackles, including three-and-a-half tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.
Tiffin’s Ronald Blackman ran for eighty-two yards while Johnson completed twenty-two of twenty-eight passes for two touchdowns. Holbrook contributed eight receptions for seventy-nine yards and scored twice—once receiving and once via punt return.
Wayne State will play its next game away at Findlay on September 13th with kickoff scheduled for noon.
