Chargers fall 44-41 to Ferris State on last second field goal

After 3 entire weeks of being ecstatic over the amazing start the Hillsdale College football team put together during the first quarter of the season, things came crashing down in Big Rapids tonight.

There really is no way to get your brain around this one. Too many turnovers, too many missed tackles, and amazingly not enough points ended up biting the Chargers. It all began with a powerful first half by the Charger offense to the tune of 35 points. Mark Nicolet threw touchdowns to Aaron Waldie and Nick Gurica, while Vinnie Panizzi scored twice and Billy Kanitz banged in another.

Ferris was able to answer every score, helped a bit by 3 first half Charger fumbles. Two proved costly, once when Hillsdale gave it away at its own 15 and then on a fumbled kickoff that a Bulldog fell on in the endzone to tie things at 28.

Things skidded to a halt offensively as the teams played a scoreless 3rd quarter.

After Tom Korte picked off CJ Van Wieren in the 4th quarter, Mark Petro's 27 yarder put Hillsdale up 38-34.

Like it had all night, Ferris continued to battle back, scoring on a Kirk Covey 14 yard touchdown run with 2:24 left.

Hillsdale marched efficiently down the field but could not find the endzone. Petro connected from 40 with a minute left to tie things at 41.

Several times the Ferris play-by-play crew on the webcast joked about whoever got the ball last would win. Unfortunately for the Chargers that proved to be a bitter end as Jim Yates drilled a 41 yard field goal to win it for the Bulldogs.

Another big yardage day for Nicolet, 24/37 for 335 yards 0 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. Waldie caught 6 balls for 112 yards. Gurica grabbed 7 for 66 yards. Vinnie Panizzi had his first 100 yard day carrying 25 times for 118 yards.

Tom Korte had a big day defensively with 19 tackles (12 solos) and 2 sacks. Marcellus Wade had 8 and Alex Wojcik had 7.

Hillsdale hopes to regroup as they host Michigan Tech next Saturday at Muddy Waters Stadium.