Box Score

Saturday's GLIAC football game between Hillsdale College and Northwood University featured a mix of the past, present and future.

The past came in the form of Timberwolves coach Pat Riepma, former All-American quarterback for the Chargers, who made his first coaching appearance at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium since 2008.

The present came in the form of the Charger program honoring its 20 graduating seniors in a pre-game Senior Day ceremony.

The future came in the form of several young players on the Hillsdale side of the field who made big plays throughout its 24-14 win over Northwood on a cloudy, cold and drizzly day.

The Chargers have won five straight over Northwood and two in a row overall to improve to 4-6 on the season and 4-5 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale closes out the 2014 regular season next weekend at Wayne State.

Once again, the Hillsdale defense came to play, allowing just one offensive touchdown by the Timberwolves, and limiting Northwood to only 205 yards of total offense. Going back to the fourth quarter of the Grand Valley State game Oct. 4, the Chargers have allowed six total touchdowns by opposing offenses over the past 21 quarters. Northwood's two quarterbacks combined to complete 10 of 25 passes, and the Chargers picked off three passes, the last one being the sweetest.

Senior defensive back Daniel Pittman, playing in his final home game after a fine career, intercepted a pass with 1:58 to play to remove all doubt from the final result. Fittingly, Pittman led the team with 4 solo stops and 10 total tackles in the contest.

Redshirt-freshman linebacker Scotty Penola and true freshman linebacker Jay Rose also picked off a pass, giving Charger fans some more optimism about the future at that position.

Redshirt-freshman defensive back Zach Hill enjoyed his finest game in a Charger uniform, matching Pittman's 10 total tackles while racking up 45 punt return yards, a season-high for a game on the team.

Offensively, junior wide receiver John Haley (pictured) got the scoring going with a 54-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback C.J. Mifsud. Hillsdale had just missed on some long passes in recent weeks, but the two connected on this one, giving the Chargers a 7-0 lead with 4:45 left in the first quarter.

Sophomore tailback Jack Wiseman scored the first of his two touchdowns on the day with 32 seconds left in the firsdt quarter, plowing in from one yard out. Hillsdale got outstanding field position on that drive, thanks to Hill's season-long 35-yard punt return, setting the Chargers up at the Northwood 20-yard line.

Sophomore placekicker Steven Mette drilled a 38-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give Hillsdale a 17-7 edge at halftime.

Northwood's only offensive touchdown of the game came on its first drive of the second half, a five-play, 67-yard drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown run.

But the Timberwolves would only get two first downs the rest of the day, as the Charger defense answered the bell time after time.

Wiseman's second score of the day came at the 5:50 mark of the third quarter, and finished off the scoring.

Wiseman teamed up with fellow tailbacks Bennett Lewis and Spencer Nehls to give the Chargers a season-high 206 yards on the ground in the win. Nelhs, seeing his first extensive action of his career, looked quick, strong and decisive while leading the team with 80 yards on 15 carries. Wiseman toted the rock 20 times for 59 yards, while Lewis had 42 yards on 8 carries. Their running was a big reason why Hillsdale held a 15-minute edge in time of possession in the contest.

Mifsud and Mark LaPrairie combined to complete 14 of 30 passes for 152 yards in the game. Senior Evan Bach caught a team-best three passes in his final home appearance.

Photo by Sheridan Markatos