COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's defense shut down the GLIAC's best passing offense as the Panthers closed the regular season with a 22-7 victory over Tiffin on Saturday.

The Panthers (8-3, 7-3 GLIAC) held Tiffin (5-6, 4-6 GLIAC) to 138 yards passing after the Dragons averaged 308 yards per game through the air entering today. Overall, ODU allowed Tiffin to pick up just 235 total yards and 12 first downs – one in the second half.

Senior Brad McCurdy (Columbus, Ohio) led the Panthers with nine tackles, while sophomore Cameron Kohl (Hilliard, Ohio) and freshman Ross Thompson (Delphos, Ohio) each made seven stops. ODU held the Dragons to 3-of-13 on third downs, and the Dragons had the football for just 21:17, compared to 38:43 for the Panthers.

The Panther offense, meanwhile, picked up 460 yards, running 83 plays compared to 53 for the Dragons. Sophomore quarterback Grant Russell (Newark, Ohio) threw for 262 yards on 22-of-34 passing, finding senior Dez Stewart (Cincinnati, Ohio) nine times for 133 yards in his final collegiate game.

Sophomore Darryl Johnson (Mason, Ohio) set career highs in carries (28) and yards (150) as the Panthers ran for 198 yards on the day.

The Panthers moved quickly on their first drive, with completions of 44 and 35 yards to Stewart to move inside the Dragon red zone, culminating in a 34 yard field goal by senior Brent Wahle (Pataskala, Ohio).

Tiffin answered with a 76 yard touchdown drive to take a 7-3 lead midway through the first, and Wahle's 35 yard field goal in the second quarter accounted for the final scoring of the half.

ODU outgained Tiffin 251-171 in the half, as Russell threw for 201 and Stewart had five catches for 102 yards.

The second half was all ODU, though. The Panthers forced a three and out on Tiffin's first possession, and the offense moved 53 yards in nine plays. Johnson plunged into the end zone on fourth and goal from the one to give ODU a 12-7 lead with 9:12 to play in the third.

ODU extended its lead on a 53 yard kick from Wahle, tying his own school record long, putting the Panthers on top 15-7 with 5:36 left in the third.

ODU put the game away in the fourth quarter. The Panthers took over on their own eight yard line 12 seconds in to the quarter and went on a 16 play, 92 yard scoring drive that chewed up 7:41 off the clock. ODU picked up six first downs on the drive, including both third down attempts. Johnson's 30 yard run to the Dragon three set up Russell's touchdown run two plays later, putting ODU up 22-7 with 7:07 left in the game.

Tiffin failed to pick up a first down on its next drive, and managed just one on its final drive of the game before junior O'Sha Jackson (Warren, Ohio) forced a fumble that Thompson recovered at midfield with 2:52 left to seal the win.

The defense allowed just 64 yards to Tiffin in the second half and just 159 yards after Tiffin's first scoring drive.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu