With one game remaining, sophomore wide receiver Trey Brock has already clinched the Hillsdale record for most yards receiving per game in a season. Brock added 160 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns to his record-setting year in the Hillsdale’s 41-20 loss to Ferris State on Saturday at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium. Through nine games, Brock has scored 10 touchdowns and hauled in 1185 yards receiving. His 131.7 yards per game average is fourth-best in the nation.
In his freshman season, Brock split playing time with senior wide receivers and recorded 483 yards receiving and three touchdowns. This season, Brock has been sophomore quarterback Chance Stewart’s No. 1 target from the start.
“This year I am on the field a lot more, which gives me more opportunities to make plays,” Brock said.
Brock’s best three performances last season came after Stewart took over as Hillsdale’s starting quarterback. The chemistry they developed has blossomed this season.
“Last year, we made some good connections. From then on, we have just been getting more comfortable with each other on the field,” Brock said. “He puts the ball where I can get it and gives me lots of opportunities.”
Brock’s 3-touchdown performance against Ferris State on Saturday demonstrated his versatility as a wide receiver. His first touchdown came on a 61-yard catch-and-run. Brock caught a pass from Stewart over the middle and sped away from three pursuing Ferris State defenders.
“We knew going into the year that he had a little extra burst. He can run,” Hillsdale head coach Keith Otterbein said. “I think he surprises people with how fast he is. He’s sneaky fast and slithery.”
Brock’s second touchdown came on a 54-yard lofted pass from Stewart down the left sideline. Stewart’s pass met Brock in stride. Brock made the over-the-shoulder catch and ran into the end zone untouched.
“He’s getting some pretty nice balls to catch,” Otterbein said. “Chance really has a good feel for throwing the deep ball.”
Brock’s final touchdown was an impressive 9-yard reception. Brock ran a fade route to the back left corner of the end zone and reached around the cornerback covering him to make the catch.
“That ball was underthrown and he just grabbed it right out of the air,” Stewart said. “All I have to do is put it in an area and he’s going to come up and make those plays for me.”
Brock has finished with 100 or more yards receiving in eight of nine games this season, breaking the Hillsdale record for most 100-yard receiving games in a season previously held by Andre Holmes. Holmes currently plays for the Oakland Raiders in the NFL. For Brock, breaking records is an inevitable result of hard work.
“I expect those things to happen. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” Brock said. “I thank God every day — and especially game day — for allowing me to play football and be in the situation that I’m in.”
With two more seasons still to come as a Charger, Brock has set the bar high for himself.
“[My goals are to] win two national championships and go to the NFL,” he said.