Hillsdale defense redeems itself in football win over Michigan Tech

After not having their best effort last week at home, Hillsdale College's defense took the burden of redeeming itself all of the way to Houghton, Michigan and helped the Chargers get a big road victory.

Hillsdale's GLIAC title and playoff hopes remained alive on Saturday as the Chargers won for the first time at Sherman Field since 1996.

Hillsdale forced 4 punts and recovered a fumble on a kickoff to preserve Hillsdale's 6-0 halftime lead. At the half, The Huskies had only mustered 2 first downs and 43 yards.  In the second half the Chargers forced punts on Tech's first two possessions, blocking the second one and setting up Hillsdale's only touchdown of the day. Nick Hixson would pick off Tyler Scarlett on Tech's next go.

Michigan Tech still had a little left in the tank and would put together a long drive that account for 80 of its 167 yards of total offense. It was Chargers 13, Huskies 7 with 6:03 to play.

Unable to generate any offense or momentum on its next possession, the Charger offense went 3 and out,  putting the defense  back on the field quickly.  Tech looked like it just might spoil this great effort with 23 yards on its first play, moving down to the Hillsdale 33 with about 5 to play. They would get no closer...well a little bit.

After Charlie Leffingwell was held to a yard on the next carry, Pasche would turn in an incredible set of downs on the next 3 plays.  On 2nd and 9 Pasche would wrap up Leffingwell for -4 yards in the backfield. On 3rd and 13, the linebacker from Findlay, Ohio sniffed out a dump pass to Leffingwell dropping him for another loss of 2 yards. Out of options at its own 38, Tech had to go for it on 4th and 15 and had to pass. Defensive coordinator Craig Blanchard sent Pasche on a blitz and all but sealed things with a sack of Scarlett and a forced fumble.

Anthony Mifsud was able to lead the offense to a pair of first downs and the Charger defense never had to go on the field again.

On the day Pasche had 6 solo stops, 4 for loss including the sack. Joe Vear led Hillsdale with 13 tackles. Devin Moynihan recovered a fumble and had 8 stops including a sack he and Tim Moinet ganged up on to kill a Tech drive in the second half. Nate Bundy and Zach Cherocci also had sacks. Hixson had the one pick.

The Chargers held Tech to 69 yards rushing and 98 yards passing.