Hillsdale.edu: Chargers Run Over Eagles

Chargers run over Eagles, 38-19

Panizzi runs for 231 yards in Hillsdale's win

 

Hillsdale College Release

 

Sept. 26, 2009 - Ask most football players and coaches what their favorite feeling is during a game, and the most likely answer you’ll get is when one team can run the ball down the other team’s throat from start to finish. That was one of many good feelings running through the players and coaches on the Hillsdale College sidelines Saturday afternoon.

In the signature win of this season so far, the Chargers used an offensive line and running game that was simply awesome in defeating No. 15 Ashland University 38-19 in Ashland Saturday. Hillsdale is now 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the GLIAC, while the Eagles fell to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

Considering the quality of the opponent and the location of the game (on the road), there may be no sweeter win during head coach Keith Otterbein’s eight seasons with the Chargers than this one. Ashland came into the game ranked 12th in the nation, averaging 39 points per game during its three-game winning streak. But Hillsdale overpowered the Eagles on both sides of the line of scrimmage and never trailed in the game.

Senior RB Vinnie Panizzi (pictured) was coming off a career-high rushing game last week vs. the University of Indianapolis. He improved greatly upon that effort against the Eagles, becoming the first Charger running back to rush for more than 200 yards in a game in five years. He carried the ball 28 times for a career-best 231 yards and three touchdowns. It was his third three-touchdown game of the season, and he took full advantage of the outstanding blocking provided by offensive linemen Jared Veldheer, Mackie Meece, Phil Doerfler, Reid Meador and Patrick Harbour.

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