TIFFIN, Ohio – Sophomore Evan Ernst (Mason, Ohio) accounted for over 325 yards of offense and senior Camren Moore (New Carlisle, Ohio) registered a career-high 16 tackles, but it was not enough in a 41-31 loss to Great Midwest rival Tiffin Saturday afternoon.

In a game featuring nine lead changes and over 1,000 yards of offense, it was Tiffin (3-1, 2-0 G-MAC) who scored the final 10 points in the last 2:22 to secure its second consecutive win over the Panthers (2-2, 1-1 G-MAC). Ohio Dominican finished with a season-high total in points scored, rushing offense (149) and total offense (439).

Trailing by three points in the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored on a six-yard touchdown run from Ernst, capping a seven-play, 70-yard drive, for a 31-27 lead with 5:20 to play. Ernst finished the day with four total touchdowns, 290 passing yards and a career-high 38 yards on the ground.

The lone mistake for the sophomore came late, as the Dragons intercepted a pass with a three-point lead and just over two minutes remaining. Tiffin scored on fourth down on the ensuing possession to take a 41-31 lead with one minute left to play.

For the third time this season, ODU trailed at the half, this time by a margin of 13-7. A back-and-forth third quarter saw junior Devanaire Conliffe (Willoughby, Ohio) score twice, both from over 40 yards out. Junior Jed Quackenbush (Newark, Ohio) connected on his first field goal of the season to start the fourth quarter, capping a drive that started at the Panthers' one-yard line.

Quackenbush's kick gave ODU a 24-20 advantage with 12:05 to play. Tiffin though, outscored the Black & Gold 21-7 from that point on.

Conliffe finished with 85 yards on his two receiving scores. The junior now has seven touchdowns this fall. Coming off a career-high seven catches last week, sophomore DeAndre Clark (Dover, Ohio) recorded eight receptions for 52 yards. Senior Cedric Washington (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the group with 110 yards on six catches. Senior Blake Skuratowicz (Lewis Center, Ohio) tallied his first collegiate touchdown, catching a one-yard pass in the first quarter.

For the first time this fall, ODU rushed for over 100 yards. Senior EJ Colson (Middletown, Ohio) carried the ball 14 times for 88 yards to lead the way.

Defensively, Moore's third straight double-digit tackle game led the way. Junior Dauson Dales (Defiance, Ohio) added nine stops, two for loss, and blocked a TU field goal in the first quarter. Junior Jayden Davis (Springfield, Ohio) pitched in with eight tackles.

As a group, the Panthers finished with seven tackles for loss, including three sacks. Sophomore Jaylin Garner (Shaker Heights, Ohio) had two sacks, totaling 2.5 tackles for loss.

Tiffin enjoyed a 591-439 edge in total offense. After recording just over 100 yards in the first half, ODU posted 335 yards of offense in the second half. The two sides also combined to go 15-of-31 on third down.

The Panthers will now look to bounce back when they travel to face Alderson Broaddus at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu