The Hillsdale College football team couldn't get traction against a tough Tiffin squad on Saturday, falling 41-0 to the visiting Dragons in the Chargers' Homecoming contest.
The Chargers were outgained 419 to 164 by Tiffin and finished the game with just six first downs as Hillsdale suffered its first shutout loss since 2004, and its first shutout loss at home since 1998.
After forcing a Hillsdale three and out, Tiffin scored on its opening possession, driving 59 yards in eight plays to get on the board on a 16-yard rushing touchdown. The Dragons scored two more times in the first half to go up 21-0, and the Chargers couldn't capitalize on its best chance to score in the first half, turning the ball over on downs in Tiffin territory late in the second half after a 34 yard run by Michael Herzog got the Chargers across midfield for the first time in the contest.
Hillsdale's defense opened the second half with a critical stop on Tiffin's first possession, thanks to pressure by Max Torbert that forced an errant throw by Tiffin quarterback Christian Carter on third down. But on the next possession, the Chargers threw a 20-yard pick-six for a Tiffin defensive touchdown that put the Dragons up 28-0. Tiffin would score two more times in the third quarter to take a decisive 41-0 edge.
While Hillsdale was able to avoid taking many sacks against a ferocious Tiffin pass rush, pressure limited the Chargers to just 67 passing yards on four completions, 55 of which came on a fourth quarter pass from quarterback Luke Keller to sophomore Isaac TeSlaa.
The Chargers had slightly more success on the ground, led by Herzog, who rushed 18 times for 69 yards. Keller added 18 yards on 12 carries as well.
Hillsdale's defense did its best to limit the damage, picking up multiple stops, but ultimately couldn't contain Tiffin's rushing attack. The Dragons finished with 236 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, controlling time of possession and shortening the game.
Senior Kyle Kudla finished with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks to lead Hillsdale in both categories, while sophomore Riley Tolsma and junior Zach Urda each chipped in eight tackles. Sophomore Matt Soderdahl added four tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup as well for the Chargers.
Hillsdale falls to 3-3 overall, 2-2 in G-MAC play with the loss. The Chargers will need to bounce back quickly, with opportunities still ahead but a tough road contest against a dangerous Northwood team on tap next Saturday at 1 p.m.
Photo by McKenna Eichholz