With just one game under its belt in the spring season, and two unexpected bye weeks thanks to Covid-19 related cancellations, the Hillsdale College football team knew it had a tough task hosting the defending G-MAC champion Tiffin on Saturday evening while trying to shake off rust from a long layoff.

Although the Charger defense held a high powered Dragons offense to just 28 points, Hillsdale's offense never got in sync, managing just 212 yards in a 28-7 defeat that drops the Chargers to 0-2 on the season.

After a scoreless first quarter that by both teams that featured as many punts as first downs, Tiffin took the lead early in the second quarter, capping an eight play, 46 yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Nick Watson to go up 7-0. The Dragons added another touchdown on their next possession, capping a nine-play, 92 yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Devin Nelson.

Hillsdale, meanwhile, struggled to answer, putting up just 75 yards of total offense and three first downs in the first half. The Charger defense did what it could to keep Hillsdale in the game, forcing two Tiffin 3-and-outs and a turnover on downs in Charger territory before halftime, and also creating a turnover at midfield when Tiffin was driving just before halftime, as defensive back Joe Schneider knocked the ball loose on a Dragon reception and Michael Valdez recovered the fumble to get the stop for the Chargers.

Down 14-0 and with the ball to start the second half, Hillsdale gained as many yards (75) on one drive as it did in the entire first half, converting four first downs to set up a 22-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Luke Keller to cut Tiffin's lead to seven.

But the Dragons would answer right back in under a minute as a 45-yard deep ball from Watson to Datrin Guyton got Tiffin to the Hillsdale 3-yard line, setting up a Marcus Davis score from three yards out that helped the Dragons take a 21-7 lead and regain the momentum for good.

Tiffin finished with 539 yards of total offense to Hillsdale's 212, and also won the time of possession battle, 32:29 to 27:31. Zach Herzog led the Chargers with 11 tackles as Hillsdale's defense gave the Chargers a shot by keeping the Dragons within two scores until midway through the fourth quarter. Alex Anschutz chipped in nine tackles for Hillsdale, Kyle Kudla added eight tackles and a sack, and Kyle Parran finished with a sack as well.

Luke Keller was 16 of 26 passing for 110 yards and two interceptions, though the sophomore had multiple potential completions that were dropped by his intended receivers as well that held down his totals, and he also led the Chargers on the ground, with 59 yards on 17 rushes and Hillsdale's lone touchdown.

Alexander Giampietro was Hillsdale's top receiver, catching two passes for 38 yards, and Alec Foos (three catches for 20 yards), Joe Bentley (three catches for 18 yards) and Konnor Maloney (3 catches for 18 yards) all factored in as well.

Punter Jack Shannon had a solid outing for the Chargers, averaging 48.4 yards on five punts and pinning the Dragons inside the 20 twice.

Hillsdale (0-2) will look to bounce back next weekend as the Chargers travel to 0-3 Walsh for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Hillsdale has three games remaining in the season, with contests at home against Gannon on April 17 and at Ohio Dominican on April 24 as well.

Photo by Summer Fields