TIFFIN, Ohio – The Lake Erie College football team turned in an inspired effort, earning a 21-14 road victory over Tiffin University on Saturday afternoon.
The performance marked the Storm's first win over the Dragons since 2013, snapping a nine-game losing streak against their G-MAC foe. The win was also extra special for Storm Head Coach
David Price, who spent five years on staff at Tiffin.
The 14 points scored by Tiffin tied for its lowest offensive output of the season as the Dragons fell to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Lake Erie improved to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the G-MAC.
Jason Hewlett led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss.
Jalen Joyce added 10 stops and half a sack, but it was timely turnovers and a stingy red-zone defense that proved to be the difference.
An interception on first play from scrimmage set up the Dragons for a one-play touchdown drive, but the Storm didn't flinch and settled in from there.
Late in the second quarter, Tiffin was threatening to take a two-score advantage when freshman
Carson Wolk forced a fumble inside the 5-yard line that was recovered by
Quinterrius Jemison to squash the threat.
After LEC punted the ball back to Tiffin, the Storm defense answered the call once again as
Anthony Cole Jr. came away with an interception and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown to even the score at 7-7 heading into halftime.
The Lake Erie offense came to life in the second half, putting the Storm in front for good.
Hunter Newell found senior tight end
Devin Morgan from four yards out to cap a seven-play, 77-yard drive that took 4:14 off the clock.
Following a quick three-and-out forced by the Storm defense, Lake Erie wasted no time getting back to work. The Newell-to-Morgan connection struck again, this time on a 54-yard catch-and-run touchdown that extended the LEC lead to 21-7 with 6:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Tiffin fought its way back into the game as Johntu Reed punched in a 3-yard touchdown run with 9:23 still to expire, capping a 10-play, 67-yard drive that took just 2:33.
Lake Erie was driving in the fourth quarter, looking to extend its lead, but ultimately turned the ball over on downs after stalling at the Dragons' 24-yard line. More importantly, the Storm managed to drain 6:57 off the clock.
Tiffin took over with 2:19 remaining and all three of its timeouts, but once again, the Storm defense rose to the challenge. Lake Erie ultimately turned away the Dragons on 4th-and-13 from the LEC 24-yard line, with Hewlett recording a game-saving pass breakup on the play.
Newell finished 11-of-23 for 183 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Morgan hauled in five passes for 86 yards, while
Tyleik Maxwell added two catches for 59 yards.
Hakeem Quran led the ground game with 70 yards on 23 carries.
The Storm return to action next Saturday when they travel to face No. 13 Findlay. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
