A 34-point halftime deficit proved to be too much for the Hillsdale College football team to overcome, as the Chargers lost a 46-28 decision to the University of Findlay Saturday afternoon at Donnell Stadium in Ohio.
The loss drops the Chargers to 3-3 ovrerall and 2-3 in the GLIAC, while Findlay improves to 3-4 on the season.
Findlay played nearly perfect football on both sides of the ball in the first half of its homecoming game, scoring on five out of its six drives while holding the Chargers off the board entirely, building a 34-0 lead in the game's first 30 minutes. The Oilers effectively mixed the run and the pass and combined it with favorable starting field position throughout the half to take a commanding lead.
Findlay's average starting field position in the first half was its own 38 yard line, contrasted with Hillsdale's average starting field position being the 24.
The Oilers intercepted a pass early in the second half, and quickly drove down the field to make it a 40-0 game. It was all uphill from there for Hillsdale, who found an offensive rhythm of its own, and outcored the Oilers 28-6 over the last 27 minutes of the ballgame.
Sophomore quarterback Chance Stewart threw a touchdown pass and ran for another, as he finished his day completing 26 of 38 passes for 249 yards. He completed passes to eight different receivers. He hung in well, despite getting sacked five times in the first half.
Sophomore wide receiver Trey Brock notched his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season, hauling in five passes for 102 yards. He caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Stewart for Hillsdale's first score of the game.
Sophomore Austin Sandusky led the team with six receptions, while junior Timmy Mills and senior Ryan Potrykus caight four passes apiece. Sandusky had 23 yards rushing as well.
Defensively, sophomore Wyatt Batdorff again led the team in tackles with 9 solo stops and 14 overall. Junior Scotty Penola also had a strong game, finishing with 10 total tackles and 5 solos.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale hosts #2 Grand Valley State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
PHOTO CREDIT: Carly Gouge