ASHLAND — Back-to-back wins have breathed new life into Jack Miller Stadium.

Ashland University used sterling special teams and a couple of trick plays to subdue Tiffin 21-12 in a a Great Midwest Athletic Conference encounter on Saturday.

The Eagles utilized two blocked field goals and a momentum-shifting fourth-down conversion to improve to 2-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. The Dragons dropped to 2-2 , 1-1 in G-MAC action.

“We have been sub-par on special teams through the first three games this season, I challenged them to change that,” Ashland coach Doug Geiser said.

Tiffin’s first drive of the game included 15 plays and lasted six minutes, yet yielded nothing when the AU defensive tackle Collin Strong blocked a 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Just moments later, AU’s Jaken Cook took off on a 13-yard run off a fake punt to convert a key first down. That set up a trick play that went all the way.

Running back Orlando Kamara took a pitch and filled the ball to wideout Tony Pannunzio on a jet sweep, before the ball ended up back with quarterback Trevor Bycznski. He looked deep down the field and delivered a 47-yard touchdown pass to wideout Jamari Croom. With that score, the Eagles took a 7-0 lead.

“Through the first half, they really responded,” Geiser said.

The Dragons battled back in the second quarter and got on the board with a 30-yard field goal by kicker Ben Rudolph. But the Eagles responded when Bycznski connected with Pannunzio for a 28-yard touchdown. Their teamwork led to a 14-3 edge.

AU blocked yet another field goal try to maintain a 14-3 halftime advantage.

Tiffin used some special teams magic of its own to start the second half, blocking an AU punt that went through the back of the endzone for a safety. Playing with momentum, the Dragons tacked on their lone touchdown when Ronald Blackman streaked 30 yards for a score to trim the margin to 14-12 heading to the fourth quarter.

Ashland finally regained momentum when Tiffin quarterback Alex Johnson’s pass was deflected by safety Jaylon Johnson and landed into the arms of Collin Strong.

The Eagles took full advantage when Byznski found Croom, who broke a tackle and was gone on a backbreaking 65-yard touchdown, and a 21-12 advantage.

“We learned that they had grit in this game,’ Geiser said. “I challenged them to stick together, especially after the start we had to the season.

“They stuck together and they showed the spirit of the team.”

The AU defense and tailback Ty’aris Stephenson took care of the rest, eating up the remainder of the clock.

“The first six games on our schedule are the toughest six games on our schedule,” said Geiser. “It is all populated by teams who have either been in the NCAA playoffs recently or that have won the G-MAC recently.

“It is certainly a meat grinder, we can’t stay too high or stay too low.”

Tiffin’s Johnson was 22-of-34 for 241 yards and an interception. Blackman ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts.

For the Eagles, Bycznski completed 8-of-13 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns.