By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

Concordia College Alabama’s Matthew Rowser scanned the field as he broke tackles and heaved it down the field into double coverage. Jareth Embry came down with the 35-yard touchdown and Concordia held an improbable 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, Concordia (0-7) couldn’t hold onto the lead as Tiffin (5-2) scored 58 unanswered points to defeat the Hornets 68-13 Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Tiffin quarterback Antonio Pipkin threw for 293 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for another just in the first half alone to put the game out of reach at halftime.

“It’s been a long week. I expected us to play better,” said Concordia head coach Stanley Conner.

Tiffin struck first in the game, as Pipkin connected with Jerry Brown for a 7-yard touchdown.

Concordia’s defense stiffened up on the next drive to force a field goal.

After the Hornets’ third straight three-and-out on offense, the defense needed another stop to stay in the game.

Concordia got just what it needed.

Off a deflected pass, Troy Griggs intercepted Pipkin on Tiffin’s next drive and returned it all the way down to the 1-yard line. Rowser punched in Concordia’s first touchdown a play later.

After Embry caught the touchdown to give Concordia a lead as the first quarter concluded, the Hornets’ sideline erupted in excitement.

“We always try to play ball control because we know what we have, what we’re trying to do. We can’t get in a shootout with anybody, so we’ve got to be disciplined,” Conner said.

Tiffin took control for the rest of the game.

In the second quarter, Pipkin ran in a 1-yard touchdown and hit Pedro Correa on touchdowns of 3, 33 and 3 yards. Tiffin’s second quarter scoring outburst was set up by two Rowser lost fumbles.

“I didn’t think we started the game very focused,” said Tiffin head coach Gary Goff. “We came back second half and did what we’re supposed to do.”

The Dragons took a 38-13 lead into halftime and didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal in the second half.

In the third quarter, Brown scored on a 22-yard touchdown run and Isaiah Richmond scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Concordia didn’t help matters when a high snap went sailing through the back of the end zone for a safety.

The Hornets trailed 54-13 at the end of the third quarter and allowed their last two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“Concordia’s a really good program. They’ve got some really good football players over there,” Goff said.

Concordia’s next game is at Edward Water College next Saturday at 1 p.m.