Although the Hillsdale College football team wrapped up the regular season last Saturday with a 31-14 victory over Ohio Dominican, the Chargers (6-5, 5-4 G-MAC) aren't done with competition in 2025.
The victory over the Panthers solidified Hillsdale's spot as the G-MAC representative in the season-ending Albanese Candy Bowl, scheduled for 1 PM CT Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Brickyard Stadium in Hobart, Indiana. The Chargers will take on GLVC representative Upper Iowa (8-3, 7-2 GLVC) in the sixth edition of the annual bowl classic between the two midwestern NCAA DII conferences.
Albanese Confectionary takes over as the title sponsor of what had been known as the America's Crossroads Bowl, committing to the continuation of the event through 2027 and returning the contest to its original location in Hobart.
Along with Albanese Confectionary, the South Shore CVA continues as the game's primary host, in partnership with the two conferences.
The game will be the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between Hillsdale and Upper Iowa, and the Chargers' second trip to Hobart to play in the bowl game. Hillsdale also qualified as the G-MAC representative in 2021, falling 34-17 to Truman State in that contest. The Chargers are 1-3-1 all-time in bowl games, losing to host Evansville 22-7 in the Refrigerator Bowl in 1949, falling to Pittsburg St. 27-26 for the NAIA National Championship in the 1957 Holiday Bowl, and beating Iowa State Teacher's College (now Northern Iowa) 17-6 in the Mineral Water Bowl in 1960. Hillsdale also tied Central Arkansas 10-10 in the NAIA Championship Bowl in 1985 to win the program's only national title.
Hillsdale closed the 2025 campaign on a four-game winning streak and enters its bowl contest with momentum. The Chargers are led by a balanced offense that features second-year starting quarterback
Colin McKernan, gifted freshman tailback
Ben Ngishu and standout wide receivers
Shea Ruddy and
Tutt Carrico. On defense, Hillsdale's ferocious front seven had the second-most sacks of any team in the G-MAC this season, led by rush end
Drake Badger, All-Region linebacker
Jacob Vance and defensive tackle
Evan Bienick.
Fans can find game day information, such as tickets, merchandise, and directions online. Just search for the Albanese Candy Bowl. You will also find information such as area hotels and attractions and about this year's bowl banquet and game day pregame party.
Heartland Sports Network, formerly known as JEDtv, has agreed to become the Albanese Candy Bowl broadcast team for the next three years and will stream the Dec. 6 contest.
