2016 GLIAC Football Preseason Release
Team 124 at a glance
- Starters returning on offense: 7/11
- Top returning offensive players: QB Chance Stewart; TB Joe Reverman; WR Trey Brock; OL Danny Drummond; OL Jake Bull; OL Zach VanOrman
- Starters returning on defense: 10/11
- Top returning defensive players: DL Jordon Harlamert; LB Jay Rose; LB Dan Shanley; LB Scotty Penola; DB Spencer Nehls; DB Joe Duff
- Starters returning on special teams: 2/4
- 2015 record (overall/GLIAC): 5-6 overall, 5-5 GLIAC; 5th GLIAC North Division
- Team captains:
- Offensive set: Pro-I
- Base defense: 4-3
- Head coach: Keith Otterbein (15th season at Hillsdale)
- Record at Hillsdale: 86-70; Career record: 146-109-3
- First year of football: 1892
OVERVIEW
The 2015 season was split into two very distinctive parts. Through seven weeks of the season, Hillsdale was 1-6. But starting with a 38-24 homecoming win over a one-loss Tiffin team, the Chargers took off, finishing the season on a four-game winning streak. In that streak, Hillsdale recorded its first road shutout in more than a decade, and toppled Wayne State in overtime, while starting underclassmen all over the field. That set the stage for an exciting 2016 season. A total of 19 starters return, including 10 on defense, and the team's leading passer, rusher and receiver on offense. The 2016 season will be unique in that the team has a bye week (Oct. 8) for the first time under coach Keith Otterbein, and it will be the Chargers' final season in the GLIAC.
2016 GLIAC Preseason Poll
| # | TEAM | POINTS |
| NORTH DIVISION | ||
| 1. | Grand Valley State | 47 (5) |
| 2. | Ferris State | 45 (3) |
| 3. | Michigan Tech | 35 |
| 4. | Wayne State | 30 |
| 5. | Hillsdale | 21 |
| 6. | Saginaw Valley State | 16 |
| 7. | Northern Michigan | 15 |
| 7. | Northwood | 15 |
| SOUTH DIVISION | ||
| 1. | Ashland | 25 (5) |
| 2. | Ohio Dominican | 19 (1) |
| 2. | Tiffin | 19 |
| 4. | Findlay | 13 |
| 5. | Walsh | 9 |
| 6. | Lake Erie | 5 |
VIDEO: Keith Otterbein looks ahead to the 2016 season