Great Start has Chargers in Elite Company

With its best start in 15 seasons and first ever three 40-plus-point-games in a row, Hillsdale College Football finds itself ranked among the nation's best in a number of categories. Yet to crack a Top 25 poll, Hillsdale is beginning to turn some heads in the GLIAC and around D2. The offense might be making headlines with its "Flying Circus" as one Ashland fan called it, but offense, defense, and special teams are all garnering respect.

The Charger offensive line is statistically best in NCAA Division II at protecting the quarterback. The one sack this veteran group has allowed is the lowest in the country. That protection has also contributed to the fact that Hillsdale ranks #2 nationally in passing offense at 358.7 yards per game. The 50 points the Chargers are scoring per game is good for 2nd nationally.

Other spots where Hillsdale ranks highly include:

Team Passing Efficiency - #2, 193.12
Team Net Punting - #2, 41.11 yards per punt, only 1 foot or .33 yards behind Clark Atlanta
Turnovers Lost - #3, 2 total
Kick Return Defense - #4, 12.57 yards per return
Total Offense - #6, 501.7 yards per game.
Turnover Margin - #6, +2.3 a game
Fumbles Lost - #7, 1 total
Passes Intercepted - #20, 5
Fumbles Recovered - #32, 4

Individual Rankings:
WR Aaron Waldie
#1 in D2 with 155 yards per game
#2 in D2 with 210 all-purpose yards per game
#2 in D2 with 465 total receiving yards
#3 in D2 with 16 points per game
#11 in D2 with 7 catches per game

QB Mark Nicolet
#2 in D2 with 200.8 passer rating (Iciek, GV #1 with 203.9)
#2 in D2 with 365.3 yards per game total offense
#2 in D2 with 343 passing yards per game
#5 in D2 with 1049 yards passing

K Mark Petro
The NCAA Site doesn't include kicking stats but his 100% PAT average is obviously the best possible percentage any kicker in the country may have.