Box Score (CANTON, Ohio) Walsh (1-0, 1-0) rolled up 504 yards of total offense in routing Tiffin University (0-1, 0-1) 45-10 in the GLIAC and season opener for both teams at historic Fawcett Stadium. The victory kicked-off Walsh's 20th season of intercollegiate football.
The Cavs balanced attack netted 304 yards on the ground and 200 in the air. The defense, just as prolific as the offense, kept the Dragons out of the end zone, allowing only a field goal.
Quarterback Brody Tonn made his first collegiate start and directed the Cavs to a score on the Cavs' opening drive going 65 yards in nine plays. Justin Keith capped the drive with a three-yard TD run. Walsh led 7-0 after the first quarter.
The Cavs put 17 points on the board in the second period and led 24-0 at the half. Michael Dudics connected on a career-long 45-yard field goal to give Walsh a 10-0 lead with 11:37 to play in the second quarter. The key play on the scoring drive was a 53-yard run by Aaron Male.
Walsh used some trickery for their next score. Tonn pitched to Male, who then threw a 12-yard TD pass back to Tonn at the 7:59 mark to give Walsh a 17-0 lead. That scoring play was set-up by Jamaris Brown who returned a Tiffin punt 66 yards to the 12. The Cavs then scored on the next play. Walsh's final score of the half came when Tonn connected with Darryl Gary for a 36-yard score.
Matt Matuska opened the second half scoring with a sterling 30-yard run. The six-play 80-yard drive opened the second half. Male would then score at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter on a three-yard run to put Walsh up 38-0.
Tiffin avoided the shutout with 17 seconds to play in the third when they booted a 30-yard field goal. The Dragons only touchdown came when Carlton Watkins picked off a Tonn pass and returned it 53 yards for a score on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Walsh closed the scoring at the 8:22 mark of the fourth when Luke Lloyd scored on a two-yard run.
Tonn connected with eight different receivers on 16 or 25 passes for 188 yards. Jerald Robinson led Walsh with six catches for 50 yards, and Anthony Schrock in his first game back after missing last season due to knee surgery caught five passes for 55 yards.
Male and Keith each had big days on the ground. Male rushed for 101 yards and Keith 81. Jeremy Willison also gained 36 yards on six carries.
The defense was superb in holding the Dragons to just 3.1 yards per play. Linebacker Gary Ransom led the charge with eight tackles, one for a loss. C. J. Chatman had five tackle and Jamaris Brown broke-up two passes. Tyler Bischof intercepted off Tiffin pass late and returned it 56 yards.
Walsh is on the road at Ashland University for a 7 pm kick-off next Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on 95.9 FM WNPQ.
