The Hillsdale College football team outdid host Michigan Tech in nearly every offensive statistical category in Saturday's road contest in Houghton, Michigan.

But the Chargers failed to convert yardage into points, as turnovers and other miscues proved costly for Hillsdale in a 21-6 road loss to the Huskies.

Hillsdale put up 333 yards of total offense to Michigan Tech's 217, including more than doubling up the Huskies in passing yardage (279 to 129) and yards per attempt (7.2 to 4.6).

Despite the edge, Hillsdale couldn't dig its way out of an opening hole. Michigan Tech got more than a third of their total offense for the game on the first drive of the contest, but the Huskies cashed that drive in for all the points they would need in the game, going 74 yards in 14 plays for a 7-0 edge before the Chargers touched the ball.

Michigan Tech strung together another good drive in the second quarter, hitting three long pass plays over five snaps to go 80 yards and extend their lead to 14-0 heading into halftime. Outside of those two drives, Hillsdale's defense was largely able to hold the Huskies in check, with Michigan Tech's final touchdown coming on a short field after a punt return gave the Huskies the ball at the Hillsdale 37 late in the third quarter. But despite keeping Michigan Tech to a manageable offensive output, the Chargers were unable to take advantage of their own opportunities offensively. Four of Hillsdale's five first half drives ended in punts, while the fifth and best went 45 yards on seven plays, but ended in a missed field goal from 38 yards out.

After the half, the Chargers strung together multiple good drives that couldn't find paydirt. Hillsdale opened the second half with a 42-yard pass play that looked like it might get the Chargers their first touchdown of the game, but Hillsdale fumbled the ball just outside the end zone, and Michigan Tech recovered for a touchback. 

On Hillsdale's next three drives, the Chargers struggled with field position. Pinned deep in their own end, Hillsdale moved the ball but was unable to get into Michigan Tech's end of the field. Trailing 21-0 with 12 minutes to play, Hillsdale got the big break it needed, as quarterback Colin McKernan found wide receiver Shea Ruddy for a 58-yard touchdown pass to cut Michigan Tech's lead to 21-6 with 10:30 to go. Within two scores, Hillsdale held Michigan Tech to a missed field goal on the ensuing drive, then drove deep into the Huskies territory with a chance to make it a one-score game. The Chargers were unable to convert on fourth down at the Michigan Tech 33, however, turning the ball over on downs, and committed another turnover on a last-gasp drive that sealed Michigan Tech's victory.

McKernan filled in admirably for starting quarterback Cole Canter, who left the game in the second quarter with an injury, completing 17 of 29 passes for 205 yards and the touchdown to Ruddy. Canter was 5 for 10 for 74 yards as well in his quarter and a half of action. Jonathan Metzger led Hillsdale with six catches for 96 yards receiving, Ruddy added three catches for 92 yards, including Hillsdale's lone touchdown, and Connor Pratt added four catches for 31 yards. Zach Tetler led Hillsdale on the ground with 41 yards on 12 carries.

Jack Trachet finished with nine tackles, one for loss, to lead a solid defensive effort for Hillsdale, and Vince Francescone added seven tackles, two for loss, and two pass break-ups as well for Hillsdale. Hunter Sperling chipped in five tackles and Hillsdale's lone sack on the game as well.

Hillsdale falls to 0-2 with the loss and the Chargers now turn their focus to G-MAC play, which begins next week with a home contest against Ashland at 1 p.m. The two teams will battle for the Traveling Trophy in a rivalry contest, and both the Chargers and Eagles have added motivation in the contest as both teams are the only two G-MAC teams to open the season 0-2, and will be seeking a victory to avoid an 0-3 start that would be difficult to come back from.

Photo Courtesy of Michigan Tech