After a promising start, the Hillsdale College football team lost a 38-7 decision to the University of Indianapolis at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium Saturday night, dropping its record to 1-3 on the season.
The Chargers jumped out in front in this game, but could not withstand the passing attack of the greyhounds, who generated 542 yards of total offense, 312 of them through the air. Indianapolis features one of the Midwest Region's most potent quarterback-wide receiver duos in the form of QB Connor Barthel and WR Reece Horn, and they were at their best in this game.
Barthel completed 23 of 29 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Horn, who hauled in 10 passes for 153 yards. Indianapolis converted 7-of-12 third-down chances, and generated 27 first downs in the game.
The Chargers got off to that good start they had been searching for in the first quarter, when sophomore linebacker Jay Rose intercepted a Barthel pass, returning it to the Greyhound 1-yard-line. On the next play, QB CJ Mifsud snuck in to give Hillsdale a 7-0 lead.
But that would be the high point of the game for the Chargers, who moved the ball fairly well, but missed three field goals, not only costing them points, but momentum in the contest.
Mifsud was 16-for-32 for 120 yards in the game. Backup quarterback David Ritchie ran the offense in the fourth quarter, and led the team in rushing yards with 26. He also completed seven passes for 52 yards in the game.
Senior John Haley led the Charger receivers with five catches for 40 yards.
Defensively, Austin Koneval led the team with 14 total tackles. Rose's 5 solo stops were a team high, and freshman Dan Shanley notched 8 tackles in the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: David Ritchie made his collegiate debut in this game…Wide receiver Timmy Mills also made his season debut, catching three passes for 14 yards…Tailback Joe Reverman ran the ball three times for 24 yards, and is averaging 7.1 yards per rush this season.
UP NEXT: The Chargers head to Allendale next Saturday night to take on Grand Valley State University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chelsea Farrell