HOUGHTON, Mich. - So close, again.
Tiffin University was a half-minute away from pulling off a rather large upset, but for the second time in three weeks couldn't hold a fourth quarter lead in a 32-28 loss to Michigan Tech.
The Dragons (1-9, 1-8 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference) now have lost three games by four points or less.
Tiffin's second win appeared probable when receiver Dyshaun Edwards reeled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Root - Edwards' second TD of the game - to give the Dragons a 28-17 lead with 6:24 left in the game.
Edwards shined again for the Dragons, making 13 catches for 147 yards. Root also had a strong game, completing 36-of-47 passes for 314 yards. He was picked off twice.
Michigan Tech made a quick rally. It drove 63 yards in four plays, in 43 seconds. The big one was a 47-yard completion from Steve Short to Bobby Slowik, which moved the Huskies to the Dragons 16. A pass interference call in the end zone set up Phil Milbrath's 2-yard touchdown run with 5:35 left. A two-point conversion made it 28-25.
Fact Box
Michigan Tech 32, Tiffin 28
Tiffin 106 6 6 - 28
Michigan Tech071015 - 32
First Quarter
TU - Matt Root 1 run (Zach McCutcheon kick), 8:59
TU - McCutcheon kick 35 field goal, 2:08
Second Quarter
TU - Cameron Mobley 3 run (McCutcheon kick blocked) 1:46
MT - Phil Milbrath 2 run (Tyler Cattelino kick), :27
Third Quarter
MT - Keith White 25 pass from Steve Short (Cattelino kick), 11:36
TU - Dyshaun Edwards 8 pass from Root (McCutcheon kick failed), 9:41
MT - Cattelino 25 field goal, 5:15
Fourth Quarter
TU - Edwards 12 pass from Root (Root pass failed), 6:24
MT - Milbrath 2 run (Short run), 5:35
MT - Stephen Worthy 11 pass from Short (Cattelino kick), :29
TUMT
First Downs2426
Rushes-yards29-17342-173
Passing yards314237
Comp-att-int 36-47-217-32-1
Punts-ave.0-0.03-42.3
Fumbles-lost3-20-0
Penalties-yards8-742-10
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Tiffin - Mobley 14-136; Root 6-28; Mike Lento 3-7; Dustin Winters 3-5; Edwards 1-2; TEAM 2-(minus 5). Michigan Tech - Milbrath 24-99; Short 14-68; M. Macpherson 2-6; Akeem Cason 1-2; TEAM 1-(minus 2).
PASSING: Tiffin - Root 36-47-2-314. Michigan Tech - Short 17-31-1-237.
RECEIVING: Tiffin - Edwards 13-147; Greg Raspberry 7-32; Trey Williams 5-60; Lento 4-42; Mobley 3-21; Dereck Sitterly 2-9; Alvin McKnight 1-7; Winters 1-(minus 4). Michigan Tech - Bobby Slowik 7-120; White 6-91; Worthy 2-18; David Peterson 1-9; Milbraty 1-(minus 1).
Tiffin's ensuing drive moved into Huskies territory before the Dragons were forced to punt at the 42. The punt attempt never got off, and Michigan Tech assumed possession at its own 45 with 3:10 left.
The Huskies drove down the field, taking the lead for the first time when Short threw an 11-yard score to Stephen Worthy with 29 seconds left.
The Dragons finally got their running game going, with Cameron Mobley going for 136 yards on 14 carries, adding a touchdown.
Steve Yarbrough had an interception for TU.
