The Hillsdale College Chargers suffered their second loss in two weeks to Michigan Technological University on Saturday. It was the first time in six years that the Chargers have lost two consecutive games.
The 42-14 loss puts the Chargers at 6-4 overall and 6-3 in the GLIAC. But the loss came with a new record for the Chargers when senior running back Joe Glendening broke the all-time career rushing record.
The Huskies opened the game with a 62-yard run in a drive that put their first seven points on the board. The Chargers were quick to respond with a touchdown of their own when senior quarterback Anthony Mifsud completed a pass to redshirt-freshman wide receiver John Haley.
In the second quarter, Glendening broke the all-time career rushing record previously held by Scott Schulte — a record that had been standing for 19 years. Glendening rushed for 74 yards in the game, bringing him to 4,561 in his career. Glendening also holds the all-time career rushing attempts and career touchdown records.
“Anytime you say all-time leading whatever, that’s a big deal,” head coach Keith Otterbein said.
The Chargers went into halftime trailing 28-14 but couldn’t put any more points on the board in the second half.
The Huskies passed for 247 yards to Hillsdale’s 171 and took advantage of three turnovers — one an interception return for 81 yards in the second half.
“Good football teams will make plays against you,” Otterbein said. “You have to overcome and worry about the situation now.”
The Huskies defeated the Chargers in time of possession, the first time the Chargers have not had that advantage since playing Malone University in September. The Huskies also converted more than 64 percent of their third downs compared to Hillsdale’s 25 percent.
“We gave up too many big plays and didn’t get enough on our side,” Otterbein said. “We couldn’t stay on the field, and we couldn’t get them off the field.”
Senior center D.J. Loy said traveling to Michigan Tech was a challenge that the team had to fight in Saturday’s game.
“Location is one of the biggest factors,” he said. “Part of it is getting over that hangover of being on a bus 10-plus hours.”
Loy also said that the loss of senior H-back Cam White on the field has affected the team.
“I think the loss of Cam shows a little bit — just statistically what he brings to the team,” Loy said. “But injuries are a fact of life when you play a contact sport. You have to determine what the difference is between being hurt and injured.”
Otterbein said this has been one of the toughest stretches of football games and one of the most competitive Northern Divisions that the Hillsdale team has ever faced.
“Each week somebody shows up and the difference between winning and losing is such a fine line,” Otterbein said. “There’s teams beating teams that you didn’t think could.”
The Chargers face Northwood University on Saturday in an away game for their last game of the regular season.
“This is the one last chance that this group of players has to play together,” Otterbein said. “We want to send the seniors out how they should be sent out. We want to send them out with a victory.”
