Schedule
Kentucky Wesleyan (3-3, 2-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (1-5, 1-3 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 14 | Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium | Hillsdale, Michigan
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Last Week
The Chargers acquitted themselves well against undefeated and G-MAC-leading Tiffin on the road, trailing just 28-21 late in the third quarter, but couldn't overcome five turnovers and a mishandled punt that led to a Tiffin touchdown in a 35-21 loss. Tailback Michael Herzog had one of his finest games in a Chargers uniform, rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries, and Hillsdale also got a solid performance from its defense, which became one of just two teams so far to hold Tiffin under 40 points. Matt Soderdahl led Hillsdale with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, while Jacob Vance added nine tackles and a sack for the Chargers.
Scouting the Opposition
At 3-3 overall, Kentucky Wesleyan is in good shape to contend for its first winning season since 2014 and just its fifth in program history. In order to make that goal a reality, however, the Panthers likely will need a victory this week at Hillsdale with a tough slate remaining.
Kentucky Wesleyan enters Saturday's contest with the top passing offense in the G-MAC, guided by a third-year starter at quarterback in Christian Arrambide. The senior and Bethel transfer is completing 56% of his passes for 1,641 yards and 11 touchdowns in the Panthers' Air Raid-style offense.
Redshirt freshman Camden Williams has been Arrambide's top target, with 25 catches for 514 yards and six touchdowns, while brothers Kam and Khia Sherrard have added another 500-plus yards receiving and four touchdowns as well.
Running the ball tends to be deemphasized in favor of short passing in the Air Raid, and, true-to-form, Kentucky Wesleyan pairs the G-MAC's best passing attack with its worst rushing attack. The biggest threat is Arrambide, a dangerous scrambler who leads the Panthers in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Sophomore Camran McNeil is the primary tailback, while Jatorian Dillard and Deonco Wilkerson also see work, primarily as receiving threats out of the backfield.
Kentucky Wesleyan has a young offensive line, with two freshmen and a sophomore up front, that's given up the second-most sacks in the G-MAC so far this season. But the Panthers have overcome that lost yardage with explosive plays from Arrambide and his receivers so far.
While the Panthers' offense has been explosive, Kentucky Wesleyan will need more down the stretch from a defense that has made plays at times but ranks in the bottom half of the league in most categories. Defensive lineman Kajuan Hardesty, edge rusher Bishop Byrd and linebacker Zeroue Johnson lead the Panthers in tackles and provide most of the team's pass rush, while redshirt freshman corner Najai Watson has all three of Kentucky Wesleyan's interceptions on the season.
Blake Vivrette handles both the kicking and punting duties for the Panthers, going 2 for 4 with a long of 39 on field goals to date and averaging 40.47 yards per punt.
The Panthers are coached by Tyrone Young, who's already improved on a 2-9 record in his first season at the helm in 2022. A former football player at Kentucky Christian, Young spent time as an assistant at King's College (PA), Lock Haven (PA), and Anderson University (IN) before joining Kentucky Wesleyan as an assistant in 2018 and taking over as head coach of the Panthers in 2022.
The Series
Kentucky Wesleyan's last-minute 31-27 victory at home in 2022 ended a long run of dominance by the Chargers in the all-time series against the Panthers, as Hillsdale had won the previous four meetings between the two teams, and all by 19 or more points. The Chargers will look to turn the series against a rapidly improving KWC squad back in their favor at home this season.
Other Notes
- Hillsdale will be hosting Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day this weekend, in partnership with Fennec Pharmaceuticals, and making a donation to the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation to help bring attention and develop treatments for one of the leading fatal cancers in teenage boys. Fennec and TCAF will have booths set up inside Muddy Waters Stadium with more information, as well as opportunities for people to donate to the cause as well.
- Senior tailback Michael Herzog was named the G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week for his three-touchdown game against Tiffin this past Saturday, and is on a tear this season, with four 100 yard games on the ground in six contests, and a rushing touchdown in all six games. Herzog had a breakout season last year, putting up 940 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and earning first team All-G-MAC honors. Now, he's aiming to be the first Chargers running back to go over 1,000 yards in a season since All-American David Graham in 2019, and his 628 yards through four games ranks second in G-MAC play, while his nine rushing touchdowns lead all G-MAC players.
- Senior tight end Michael Harding earned a prestigious honor by being named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy last week. Harding, a three-time All-G-MAC tight end, was nominated for the award, considered by many to be the academic equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, both for his outstanding play on the football field and his impressive achievements in the classroom. Finalists for the award will be announced on Oct. 25. Hillsdale's last Campbell Award finalist was quarterback Mark Nicolet in 2008.
- When junior Riley Tolsma tackled Northwood quarterback Jake Kelbert in the end zone after a botched snap by the Timberwolves on Sept. 30, he did something no Chargers defender had done in 17 years -- record a safety. Prior to Tolsma's tackle that gave Hillsdale a 26-10 lead over Northwood, Hillsdale's last safety came on Sept. 23, 2006 against Ferris State. Those two points turned out to be absolutely crucial in a 29-27 Chargers win over the Bulldogs. While Tolsma's safety didn't have quite the same importance, it was part of a great day for the junior defensive end -- 11 tackles, three for loss and two sacks. Tolsma led the Chargers last season with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, and was named a team captain this offseason.
- The Chargers have a recent tradition of star receivers, including Trey Brock, K.J. Maloney and Isaac TeSlaa, and redshirt freshman Sam Lee looks like the next in line after a strong start. Lee's 6-foot-6 frame and athleticism make him a tough matchup for opposing defenders, and his 328 yards rank eighth in the G-MAC among all receivers so far. A star at Toledo Central Catholic in high school, Lee signed with the Chargers last season along with his twin brother, Josh, who also sees the field for Hillsdale at tight end and scored his first receiving touchdown on Sept. 30 against Northwood.
- Along with Lee, another young receiver is standing out in his first season at Hillsdale. Shea Ruddy impressed on Saturday with 114 yards on five catches, including a 40-yard touchdown reception that included multiple broken tackles on the way to the end zone. Ruddy's 114-yard game was Hillsdale's first 100-plus yard receiving game by a true freshman since Trey Brock in 2015. He added two more touchdowns – on a 65-yard run and a 21-yard reception – in Hillsdale's win over Northwood on Sept. 30, and led the Chargers in receiving on Oct. 7 at Tiffin.
- 2018 graduate Zach VanValkenburg recorded his first career NFL sack on Sunday in the Los Angeles Rams' 23-14 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. VanValkenburg was the G-MAC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2018 while leading the Chargers in sacks and helping Hillsdale win a 2018 G-MAC title and make the NCAA DII Playoffs. After graduating from Hillsdale, VanValkenburg went on to play two seasons at the University of Iowa while getting his masters degree. He was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 but did not make the final roster. In January, he was signed by LA and made the 53-man roster for the 2023 season in August, becoming the first Charger since Jared Veldheer's retirement in 2021 to appear in an NFL game.
- The Charger football program has long been known for its strong family tradition, and that continues in 2023 with multiple sets of brothers on the roster. On the offensive line, twin brothers Nick Affholter and Benjamin Affholter (Quincy, MI/Reading) will hold down interior line spots for the third straight season, and are joined on the roster by younger brother Zac Affholter, a true freshman lineman. All three are sons of Brad Affholter, a multi-year starter on the Charger offensive line in the mid-90s and an assistant coach with the team in 2023. There are several other sibling duos on the team – twin brothers Josh Lee and Sam Lee (Toledo, OH/Central Catholic) return as sophomores this season, as do junior tight end Ben Hinrichs and his younger brother, Christian (Escondido, CA/Classical Academy). Also in 2023, Hillsdale sophomore wide receiver Corban Creason (Coppell, TX/Founders Classical Academy) is joined by his younger brother, Christian, and sophomore offensive lineman John VanOpstall (Jenison, MI/Jenison) is joined by his younger brother, Chris. Along with those sibling pairs, several other players on the roster have older brothers, fathers or grandfathers who suited up for previous Charger teams.
- Hillsdale's longest-tenured assistant coach received a prestigious honor in the offseason as Offensive Coordinator Nate Shreffler was named the American Football Coaches Association's NCAA DII Assistant Coach of the Year for 2022. Shreffler is entering his 25th season with the Chargers and was recognized for both his outstanding contributions to Hillsdale's success on the field, and his work running the Chargers' "Guys With Ties" program that helps teach elementary school kids confidence and proper etiquette through interactions with players on the football team.
- With 128 wins to date, Otterbein is third all-time in career coaching victories at Hillsdale, trailing two Charger Athletics Hall of Famers in Frank "Muddy" Waters (138) and Dick Lowry (134). If he maintains his current career pace of wins per season, Otterbein would pass Waters for the all-time record in the fall of 2024.