It was exciting, encouraging and important.
It's also over.
Tiffin University's first win in almost two years, a 23-13 triumph over McKendree at Frost-Kalnow Stadium last Saturday, was cause for celebration for Tiffin's players.
But according to linebacker Logan Snell, who had a backbreaking interception that he returned for a touchdown last week, it didn't take long for the Dragons to refocus on the task at hand - today's game at Michigan Tech.
"Obviously, we took it in for a little bit, but it was the next day we wanted to watch film," the senior linebacker said.
With one hurdle gone, the next hurdle for the Dragons' program is to win a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game, something they haven't done since 2009. TU has yet to win a road GLIAC game.
It will be a challenge to upset the Huskies, who are coming off a 7-4 season, and play their home games in Houghton, in in the Upper Peninsula.
It is the Huskies first game of the 2012 season.
"{The Huskies'] Tom Kearly has been there 11 years, six as a head coach," said TU mentor Gary Goff. "They run a tight ship; a very well-coached football team, good program."
Goff said Michigan Tech probably won't alter who it is from last season to this one.
"The personnel will change, but as far as schemes, they're not going to change very much on offense," he said. "They had the newcomer of the year last year (Tyler Scarlett), who's a really good player.
"They're gonna put the ball in his hands, let him make some decisions."
Goff said the Huskies have been about "50-50" in run-to-pass ratio, and they have plenty of potential weapons to go to.
Michigan Tech has five senior receivers in Pat Carroll, Matt Curtin, Alex Eisenheimer, Mike Potes and Ethan Shaver. The Huskies may also try a running back by committee, with Cedrick Barber, Charlie Leffingwell, Akeem Cason and Josh Hauswirth.
It should be a test for Tiffin's defense, but Snell says it's ready, and that the Dragons realize the importance of the next few contests.
"We still need to click and we haven't shown our full potential," Snell said. "These next few games will help define us as a team and show what direction we are going.
Goff said he isn't expecting much change from the Huskies defense, and that it all comes down to what the Dragons can do.
"It's the same old song and dance," Goff said. "We've got to execute."
