For the first time since 2022, the Traveling Trophy is back in Hillsdale.

The Chargers snapped a three game losing streak to rival Ashland thanks to big scoring plays in all three phases of the game, taking a 28-17 victory over the Eagles in the final home game of the season at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium on Saturday.

Hillsdale rallied from a 10-0 second quarter deficit, outscoring Ashland 28-7 the rest of the way. The Eagles kicked off the game with a successful onside kick, then dominated much of the first half.  Ashland possessed the ball for 22 minutes to Hillsdale's nine, but the Chargers defense made critical stops to keep Hillsdale in the game, twice stuffing the Eagles on fourth down in drives deep in Hillsdale territory to limit the damage.

The Eagles outgained the Chargers 407 to 285 offensively and possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes, but Hillsdale won the turnover battle two to zero, got 14 points from its defense and special teams, and got off the field repeatedly to stymie the Eagles and take the rivalry victory.

After falling behind by double-digits, Hillsdale got on the board midway through the second quarter with a eight play, 67 yard drive. Quarterback Cole Canter connected with tight end Will Simpson on a deep crossing route for a 25-yard touchdown that cut the Ashland lead to 10-7. After another Charger defensive stop, Hillsdale pulled ahead right before halftime on a thunderbolt, as Canter found senior Shea Ruddy deep on a 56 yard touchdown pass with just 40 seconds left in the half to give Hillsdale its first lead of the game, 14-10.

Ashland seized the momentum back to start the second half, taking the opening kickoff 75 yards on 15 plays to pull back ahead 17-14. The Eagles' lead, however, would last just 11 seconds as Ashland made the fatal mistake of kicking to the best return man in NCAA DII. Shea Ruddy took the ball at the 15 yard line and sliced through the Ashland coverage for an 85-yard touchdown, his third scoring return of the season and the eighth of his career to put Hillsdale back up 21-17.

With Hillsdale back ahead, the Charger defense closed out the victory. Hillsdale got a four-and-out on the next possession, stopping a fake punt by the Eagles short of the line to gain for their third turnover on downs of the contest, but a 47-yard field goal by the Chargers was off the mark by an inch, hitting the left crossbar to prevent Hillsdale from extending its lead.

On its next possession, Ashland drove the ball deep into Hillsdale territory looking to take the lead back, but safety Jonah Jensen ended the drive with an interception at the three-yard line to snuff out the scoring chance.

After trading two possessions, Hillsdale's defense landed the knockout blow. With Ashland pinned at their own 12 early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Luke Penola made an acrobatic interception at the 20 yard line and ran it all the way back for a touchdown, putting Hillsdale up 28-17 with 9:54 to go. Hillsdale forced a fourth turnover on downs on the ensuing Ashland possession, and the Eagles were unable to get the ball back with time to rally.

In his first start since 2024, and his final game in Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium, Canter had his best game as a Charger, going 16 of 26 through the air with two touchdown passes and adding 26 yards on seven carries. Ben Ngishu rushed for 41 yards on 14 attempts as well for Hillsdale, while Ruddy caught seven passes for 126 yards and two total touchdowns and Tutt Carrico added a 23-yard reception as well.

Hillsdale's senior-laden secondary came to play. Cos Davis led the Chargers with 10 tackles, Jensen and Penola each added nine with their interception, and Colin Morrow chipped in eight. Evan Bienick and Drake Badger each finished with a sack and two quarterback hurries as well for the Chargers while combining for 13 tackles, and Jacob Vance added seven tackles as well.

Hillsdale improves to 7-3 overall, 5-3 in the G-MAC, the most wins by the Chargers in a single season since 2018. The Chargers hit the road for the season finale next Saturday, traveling to Ohio Dominican for a noon kickoff looking to close 2026 on a winning note.