A dominant defense is tough to beat, and the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears proved that on Saturday. Facing a strong Tiffin squad who was receiving votes in the national poll, the Bears forced four turnovers in a big 38-17 win.
“I thought we created some nice explosive plays offensively,” stated head coach Doug Socha. “Our defense played really inspired and opportunistic, and that was great to see. There are still some discipline things we need to clean up, but I’m proud of where we’re at.”
With the win, the No. 8 Bears improve to 2-0, while Tiffin, who was receiving votes in the Division 2 polls, falls to 1-1.
The Bears got things going early, with Jaelin Willis intercepting Tiffin’s first pass of the game. Jalen Ferguson hit Dominique Marshall on a 23-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first score.
AGENT ZERO 😴😴 pic.twitter.com/RSfBqdfL9V
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
Tiffin answered on their first full possession, tying the game a 7-7.
Chris Brown opened the second quarter with a 68-yard pick six to put the Bears up 14-7.
CHRIS BROWN TOUCHDOWN!! pic.twitter.com/vdenxtREpL
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
On the Dragon’s next possession, Brown scooped up a fumble forced by Christian Santana.
Chris Brown can’t be stopped 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Rvncd5pE0D
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
Adonis McDaniel hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ferguson to go up 21-7 early in second.
Just hanging out in the land of milk and honey 🍯🐻 pic.twitter.com/Q7LYPYzkwp
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
With just seconds left in the half, Aiden Heilmann hauled in a one-handed grab to go into the half up 28-10.
FIRST CAREER TD 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/XUsDBRByZe
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
Tiffin scored quickly in the third quarter, making it a 28-17 game. With Tiffin about to score, James Ussery forced a fumble at the three-yard line to turn the tide. JT Black took that fumble 75-yard down to the Tiffin 22-yard line.
DEFENSE 😮😮 pic.twitter.com/rkAVUFQ4g3
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
Alex Boyd powered it in a few plays later, putting Lenoir-Rhyne up 35-17.
1️⃣0️⃣ is on the board! pic.twitter.com/c02z00XyeO
— Lenoir-Rhyne Football (@LRBearsFootball) September 14, 2024
Jake Brown hit a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, giving the game it’s final score.
Jalen Ferguson was 16-for-27 for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Three separate Bears caught touchdowns in the game. Zayvion Turner Knox led with 65 rushing yards, Songa Yates led with 67 receiving yards.
Chris Brown’s pick-six and fumble recovery were on back-to-back plays. JT Black led the team with five tackles, 1.0 TFL for 13-yards, one pass breakup, and the 75-yard fumble recovery. Four players finished with five tackles. Eight Bears caught a pass in the game
The last time the Bears had a 65+ yard interception return was Percy King’s 80-yard return on November 6, 2021 vs. Barton. Adonis McDaniel and Aiden Heilmann’s touchdowns were the first of their careers.
This is the second straight season the Bears have started 2-0
Andre Jefferson now sits at 52 TFL for 234 yards
The undefeated Bears will hit the road for the first time this season next week, heading to Mars Hill for a battle with the Lions. Mars Hill will be coming off a three week break, as their only game so far this season was a 47-16 setback vs. Delta State on August 29th.
More on Lenoir-Rhyne Picks Up Home Win Over Tiffin available on WHKY.
