Tiffin, OH- Flooding has occured all week long in Tiffin, OH, but the skies opened up and college football has begun. The Mountain Lions have traveled to face the #27 Tiffin Dragons. Tiffin University would prove to be just a little too much slippling by the Mountain Lions 23-16.
During the very quick paced first quarter, each team experinced two possessions try to get a fell for the new college football season. During the last two minutes of the first quarter, Concord punter Zach Boyd booted the ball as it was muffed by a dragon.
The Mountain Lions would take advantage of the first big mistake of the game, taking the ball 47 yards down the field ending the drive early in the second quarter. Dustin Greenwood found Tight End, Ron Buskey for the 5 yard score.
On the ensuing kickoff the Dragons returned the ball back two the 16 yard line, taking to plays to tie the game at 7. The drive was capped by a one yard run by the Dragons' McKnight
Concord would quickly answer back with a 34 yard field goal by Zach Boyd. The lead would shift back to Concord with a 10-7 lead. Tiffin would take the lead late in first half with a pass from Root to Edwards making the score 14-10.
Concord would have an oppertunity with a good return passed their own 40 yard line, but the drive would stall just inside of two minutes in the first half and Zach Boyd was called onto the field to punt. Boyd had a beautiful kick, which was once again muffed by the dragons. Jamar Enalls quickly jumped on the ball at the 7 yard line.
Dustin Greenwood would once again find Ron Buskey, this time with a 7 yard pass, putting the Mountain Lions up 16-14. Boyd would however missed the PAT keeping the Mountain Lions up.
Tiffin would drive late in the last minute of the game would set up a 40 yard field goal which was connected giving the Dragons a 17-16 heading into half.
Concord fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, giving the ball right back to the Dragons to start the second half. Tiffin looked to capitalize with the short field but gave the ball right back to the Mountain Lions fumbling the ball on the 2 yard line.
Concord was backed up, they tried to create a bit of space but had to punt back to the Dragons, giving them a short field. Tiffin this time would score on the short field, putting the Dragons up 23-16 late in the 3rd quarter. The PAT would be missed keeping the score at 23-16, which proved to be the final.
Quickly the game would pass and with Tiffin driving in the 4th quarter the Mountain Lions had to buckle down. Tiffin after already completing a 4th and 7 on the drive decided to go for a 4 and 1 from the Mountain Lions 15 yard line.
Rusty Coeburn would set up big, making the tackle and giving the ball for one last surge heading down the field. Six minutes remained and Concord had 85 yards to try and drive to tie the game.
Dustin Greenwood was relentless, when the Mountain Lions need 9 yards on a 3rd down he gave them 10, when they need 1 yard on a 3rd down he gave them two. Now, with about 2:30 left on the clock the Mountain Lions Franklin fumbled gving the ball back to the Dragons.
Tiffin gave the ball back to the Lions on their 20 yard line with 8 seconds to play after a touchback punt. Greenwood ran to the 36 yard line before stepping out of bounds with one second left. The Mountain Lions set up for the hail mary, which was batted down by the Dragons, ending the game.
On the game Dustin Greenwood lead the offense with 57 yards rushing on 14 attempts and 109 yards passing with two touchdowns. Ron Buskey recieved both touchdowns and piled up 26 yards receiving. DeJuan Franklin was the lead in receiving yards with 49 yards.
On the Defense, senior Tank Tunstalle lead the way with 12 solo tackles, and 19 tackles in the game. 4 of those tackles were for a loss. Also, senior captain Ola Adams had a 5.5 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a pass break-up. Zach Boyd continues to be an elite punter for the Mountain Lions as he had 7 punts with a 40.1 yard average.
Tiffin, ranked 27th in the DII Nation, returned almost all starters from last season. The Dragons beat the Mountain Lions in Beckley, WV last season 32-12. The Mountain Lions played extremely tough today against a great football. They have proven they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in this very early 2007 season.
Concord (0-1) will enjoy an off week next week, then they will open at home on Saturday, Sept. 8 against UVA-Wise at 7:00pm. The game is Concord's first ever home night game and will take place on the June O. Shott Field. Come out and support your Mountain Lions.
