The 1985 Chargers
NAIA National Champions
The history of Charger football hit a high point in 1985, when head coach Dick Lowry and a talented senior class led the team to the NAIA national championship game. In that contest, the Chargers had to settle for a 10-10 tie vs. Central Arkansas. Quarterback Mike Gatt connected with Scott Sugg on a 58-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter to force the tie. Hillsdale and Central Arkansas ended up sharing the national championship that season, but ask anyone who saw that Charger team play, and there’s no question who “the” champions of the day were. Listed below is a game-by-game summary of that championship season.
Week 1
Sept. 14, 1985: Hillsdale 21,
Wisconsin-Whitewater 7
The Charger defense limited Wisconsin-Whitewater to 17 yards rushing and 10 first downs in a solid season-opening win. Quarterback Mike Gatt goes 17-for-36 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Jeff Hubert returned an interception for a touchdown to open the scoring on the season.
Week 2
Sept. 21, 1985: Hillsdale 23, Ashland 7
Dave Mifsud and Brian Walker each catch touchdown passes from Gatt as once again, Hillsdale shuts down an opponent. The Eagles managed just 161 total yards in the game.
Week 3
Sept. 28, 1985: Saginaw Valley State 28,
Hillsdale 17
The only blemish on the season occurred in this game, when the Cardinals overcame six turnovers to defeat the Chargers. These two teams were picked to finish first and second in the GLIAC, and had a battle to live up to those predictions. SVSC held a 14-10 halftime lead, but scored back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.
Week 4
Oct. 5, 1985: Hillsdale 25, Wayne State 0
The dominating Charger defense returned to form, shutting out the Tarters. For the third time this season, the defense held an opponent to less than 175 total yards, as WSU gained just 122 against Hillsdale. Dennis Susa led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, while Mifsud caught a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Week 5
Oct. 12, 1985: Hillsdale 24, Ferris State 15
In the annual homecoming game, Gatt (pictured at right) passed for a then-school-record 349 yards to lead the Chargers past the Bulldogs. Gatt went 21-for-30 through the air. His passing sparked Hillsdale to an early 21-0 lead in the game.
Week 6
Oct. 19, 1985: Hillsdale 21, Grand Valley 14
In one of the most competitive games of the regular season, the Chargers won in Allendale for the first time in five years. Hillsdale used special teams and the passing game to bolt to a 21-0 halftime lead. Steve Ferguson blocked a punt for a touchdown, while Mifsud and Jeff Lantis each caught touchdown passes from Gatt. Mifsud’s scoring reception was good for 58 yards.
Week 7
Oct. 26, 1985: Hillsdale 42, Kentucky State 0
After the previous week’s slugfest, the Chargers had it a little easier in this non-league game. Now ranked No. 8 in the nation, Hillsdale was led by linebacker Rodney Patterson’s 18 total tackles, including 11 solo stops.
Week 8
Nov. 2, 1985: Hillsdale 52, Michigan Tech 6
In its second-straight blowout, the Chargers dominated the Huskies, sprinting out to a 35-0 halftime lead while holding the team to -12 total yards rushing. Hillsdale also got some help in the league on this day, climbing into first place after Ferris State beat Saginaw Valley.
Week 9
Nov. 9, 1985: Hillsdale 30, Northwood 0
The Chargers clinch the GLIAC championship game on a field covered with three inches of snow. Mifsud and Lantis once again catch touchdown passes, and kicker Mark Baker boots three field goals under difficult conditions. Northwood was held to 101 total yards in the game.
Week 10
Nov. 16, 1985: Hillsdale 16, Central State (Ohio)
6
Not satisfied with the conference championship, the Chargers
clinch a spot in the NAIA
playoffs in a mudbowl-type of game vs. Central State. After
scoring a touchdown early, Central State’s explosive offense
was shut down by the Charger defense. Gatt passed and ran for a
touchdown in the win.
NAIA Quarterfinals
Dec. 7, 1985: Hillsdale 47, Salem College (W.Va.)
3
A three-week layoff had no ill effects on the Chargers, as they destroyed their first-round playoff opponent. Gatt threw four touchdown passes on four successive possessions as Hillsdale jumped out to a 28-3 halftime lead. The Chargers outgained Salem 465-78 in total yards in the game.
NAIA Semifinals
Dec. 14, 1985: Hillsdale 24, Mesa (Col.) 21 -
OT
In a bitter rematch from the 1982 playoffs, Baker’s overtime field goal completed a stirring comeback by the Chargers. Hillsdale trailed 21-0 at halftime, but came back thanks to more consistent offense and two blocked field goals. A goal-line stand in overtime preserved the win for Hillsdale.
NAIA National Championship Game
Dec. 21, 1985: Hillsdale 10, Central Arkansas
10
Split national championships are only a semi-regular occurance at the Division I level in college football these days, but back in 1985, there was no overtime to settle a championship game. So Hillsdale and Central Arkansas had to share the title of “national champions” that year after a 10-10 tie. Gatt found Scott Sugg for a 58-yard, game-tying touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter to force the tie. The Chargers finished the season 11-1-1, the second-most wins in a season in school history. A total of seven players earned All-American honors from the ‘85 Chargers: Steve Cook, Steve Ferguson, Jeff Gatt, Mike Gatt, Jeff Lantis, Paul Mackey and Kurt Norman.