Schedule
Hillsdale College (2-3, 1-2 G-MAC) at #19/21 Findlay (5-0, 3-0 G-MAC)
2 p.m. ET | Saturday, Oct. 11 | Donnell Stadium | Findlay, OH
Follow/Watch: [Live Stats] | [Webcast] | [Tickets]
More Info: [Hillsdale Roster] | [Findlay Roster] | [Hillsdale Stats] | [Findlay Stats] | [G-MAC Schedule] | [G-MAC Standings]
Last Game
Hillsdale went toe-to-toe with a talented Tiffin squad on the road last week. The Chargers jumped out to a 21–14 halftime lead behind a pair of big-play touchdowns — a pick-six by Jacob Vance and a kickoff return by Shea Ruddy — capped off by a late two-minute drill score as QB Colin McKernan connected with TE Andrew Konieczny from three yards out.
However, the Dragons rallied after the break, striking with two long touchdown passes to take a 28–21 lead. Hillsdale had chances to respond but came up empty on two trips inside the Tiffin 25-yard line, falling just short in a hard-fought contest.
Scouting Findlay
The Chargers travel to rival Findlay with a chance to spoil the Oilers’ homecoming, potentially knocking them from the Top 25 and dealing a blow to their G-MAC title hopes.
It won’t be easy — the Oilers are unbeaten at 5-0 and have looked dominant in conference play. While their schedule hasn’t been the toughest, Findlay proved itself in a 38–35 thriller against nationally ranked UIndy and has since rolled to three straight convincing wins.
Oilers Offense
Findlay’s offense revolves around a deep and balanced rushing attack, led by Christian Davis (Ball State transfer), Jayden Farmer, and Dominic Bennett — three backs who each bring starting-caliber talent. The trio has combined for 837 rushing yards and six touchdowns through five games, leading the G-MAC in rushing.
That ground dominance has allowed the passing game to develop. True freshman QB Andrew Leonard has emerged as the starter after splitting early reps with Ball State transfer Chase Harrison. Over the last three weeks, Leonard has completed nearly 69% of his passes with an impressive 8–1 TD–INT ratio.
WR Denny Furlong has been the breakout star, totaling 339 yards and five touchdowns on 17 receptions, while veterans Bryan Hunt and Mitch Nielsen, along with UCLA transfer Delon Hurt and TE Tristan Cross, add reliable targets.
Up front, the Oilers boast one of the most seasoned offensive lines in the conference, returning four starters — including All-G-MAC selections Ta’Jamere Nash and Gavin Miller — despite losing 2024 Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year Yoseph Carter.
Oilers Defense
Defensively, Findlay has been just as strong, allowing only 11.6 points per game and leading the G-MAC in rushing defense (53.8 ypg). The front seven is anchored by All-G-MAC LB Sam Weihrauch and DT Londyn Claxton, with LB Kevin Henderson stepping into a starting role.
The secondary is equally experienced, featuring All-G-MAC DB Christion Stokes (team-high seven PBUs) and S Jayon Harvey, another returning all-conference performer. Edge rushers Braden Watson and Elijah Shankle provide pressure, though sack production remains an area for improvement (8th in the G-MAC).
On special teams, K Zachary Barzd has been nearly automatic (7-for-8 FG, long of 43), while P Owen Clevenger averages 41.4 yards per punt. Dominic Bennett handles return duties but is still searching for his first breakout return. Clevenger’s limited five touchbacks on 30 kickoffs could give Hillsdale’s dangerous return unit opportunities to make an impact.
Series History
This season marks the 100th anniversary of the Hillsdale–Findlay rivalry, which began in 1925 with an 18–0 Hillsdale victory. The Chargers lead the all-time series 18–16–1, but Findlay has dominated recently — winning nine of the last eleven, including three straight. The Oilers edged Hillsdale 28–21 at Donnell Stadium last year, while the Chargers’ last win came in 2021 (34–29).
Other Notes
New Streaming Partnership
Hillsdale College athletics has a new broadcast home for the 2025 season. The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) has partnered with FloSports in a new media rights agreement, making FloSports the exclusive streaming provider for all conference and home events under its FloCollege platform.
FloSports, a subscription-based service, streams over 40,000 events annually and partners with more than 20 NCAA conferences. Fans can find more details and subscribe to watch the Chargers through the official FloSports link.
NCAA Division II Realignment
This summer brought significant change to NCAA Division II Super Region alignments. The G-MAC, previously part of Super Region 1 alongside the MEC, NE-10, and PSAC, now joins Super Region 3, which includes the GLIAC, GLVC, and NSIC.
While the move represents a new alignment, it also reunites Hillsdale with familiar postseason foes from its GLIAC era, when the Chargers competed in Super Region 3 and made playoff runs against GLIAC and NSIC opponents in 2010 and 2011.
Head Coach Nate Shreffler
Now in his second season as head coach, Nate Shreffler continues a long and accomplished tenure with the Chargers. Entering his 27th year on staff, Shreffler previously served as Hillsdale’s offensive line coach (1999–2009) and offensive coordinator (2010–2023).
A 1993 Hillsdale graduate and former three-year starter on the offensive line, Shreffler helped lead the team to the 1992 conference title. Under his guidance, Hillsdale’s all-time leading passer, rusher, and receiver all emerged, and he coached NFL draft pick Jared Veldheer.
Shreffler posted a 6–5 record in his debut season (2024), becoming the first Hillsdale coach to finish above .500 in his first year since Hall of Famer Dick Lowry (1980).
Player Highlights
Shea Ruddy, one of the G-MAC’s most electric return men, reminded fans of his explosiveness with an 86-yard kickoff return touchdown at Tiffin — his third career return TD. The senior surpassed 1,000 career kickoff return yards and continues to excel both on the field and in the classroom. In 2024, Ruddy became the first Hillsdale player in the NCAA DII era to earn All-American and Academic All-American honors in the same season, setting a G-MAC record with 33.3 yards per return and ranking second nationally in return yards (732).
True freshman RB Ben Ngishu has been one of 2025’s breakout stars. The Wylie, Texas native seized the starting role early and now leads both Hillsdale and the G-MAC with 431 rushing yards, ranking second in yards per carry and tied for the league lead in touchdowns. Ngishu is on pace for the best freshman season by a Hillsdale running back since Joe Reverman (2015).
On defense, LB Jacob Vance recorded the first pick-six of his career last week, continuing his standout play. A 2024 All-G-MAC First Team and All-Super Region 1 selection, Vance leads the team with 32 tackles through five games and entered 2025 as a D2Football.com preseason All-American.
Defensive Standouts
The Hillsdale secondary has been active and productive through the early part of the season. STAR defender Colin Morrow ranks second on the team in tackles (30) and tackles for loss (2.5) despite missing one game, while cornerbacks Ryan Niksa and Gavin Chenevey are both among the G-MAC’s top seven in passes defended, combining for 11 total.
As teams attempt to avoid Hillsdale’s tough front seven, continued excellence in the secondary will be key to the Chargers’ defensive success.
Offensive Development
Sophomore targets have been a major part of Hillsdale’s offensive growth. TE Andrew Konieczny, an All-G-MAC honoree as a redshirt freshman, leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, while WRs Ryan Skura and Tutt Carrico have added 189 and 166 yards, respectively. The trio has combined for seven touchdown receptions, fueling a strong sophomore campaign from QB Colin McKernan, now in his second year as the starter.
Awards & Honors
DL Hunter Sperling was named Hillsdale’s nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the “Academic Heisman.” A senior captain and Economics major (3.86 GPA), Sperling has started three seasons and totaled 83 tackles, 13.5 TFL, and 7.5 sacks across 35 career games.
Senior receiver Connor Pratt is a candidate for the Allstate Good Works Team, honoring his extensive community involvement through programs like Victory Day, Guys With Ties, and Be The Match fundraisers.
Hillsdale’s 2025 captains are Vance, Sperling, and Carter Cushman, a three-year starter at right tackle — all proven leaders on and off the field.
Academic Excellence
The Chargers continued their strong academic tradition in 2024, earning six CSC Academic All-District selections, including Ruddy and Sperling. Ruddy went on to become just the ninth player in program history named a CSC Academic All-American. In total, 40 Hillsdale players earned Academic All-G-MAC honors for maintaining a 3.3+ GPA through the spring semester.
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