After a disappointing loss to Wayne State University two weeks ago, the Hillsdale College Chargers returned to the field on Saturday determined to bounce back. And with a 30-20 win over Ferris State University, they did just that.
The Chargers now stand at 5-2 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC and sit at third in the Northern Division behind Saginaw Valley State University — who they will face this weekend at home — and Michigan Technological University.
The Chargers came out strong in Saturday’s game, jumping to a 14-0 lead in just the first six minutes after an interception from Ben Karaba.
“We hit a couple big plays and the defense created a turnover, but we knew we had to stick to it,” senior quarterback Anthony Mifsud said.
Ferris State fought back, putting 13 points up on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Junior linebacker Brett Pasche blocked the kick to prevent the 14th point.
To open the second half, the Bulldogs continued to push down the field, taking a 20-14 lead.
“They were running the ball up the middle. So at the half, we made adjustments and were ready to deal with it a little better,” said junior linebacker Devin Moynihan.
Soon after, the Chargers were able to put another six points on the scoreboard with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mike Carter to tie up the game 20-20.
Moynihan led the defensive effort with 12 tackles in Saturday’s game. He has been awarded GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. The Hillsdale defense is ranked No. 1 for total defense in the GLIAC.
“We have a lot of guys who have been playing awhile together,” Moynihan said. “There’s good chemistry. We work hard and put time in to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”
It was the Charger defense that swung the momentum back in Hillsdale’s favor on Saturday. They forced a punt and sophomore Daniel Pittman forced a fumble, recovered by Moynihan, in Ferris State’s last two possessions of the game, respectively.
Mifsud said that it wasn’t until after the field goal that the offense really started gaining their momentum back.
“When we got the ball back we were just clicking,” he said. “We made big play after big play and were marching the ball down the field.”
The Chargers kicked off the drive with a 44-yard pass to Cam White, and then steadily shaved off yardage on the ground, relying on senior running back Joe Glendening to carry the ball into the end zone for the final score of 30-20.
The Chargers continue to battle through a tough October schedule and will face Saginaw Valley State University at home at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Saginaw sits atop the Northern Division and at second overall in the GLIAC. Otterbein said they will be a challenging opponent.
“They are a very talented football team,” he said. “They are a very well-balanced, confident team.”
