The Collegian

Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Myles Sandrian

Media Credit: John Thompson

Three hundred and sixty days ago Charger football players and staff set their eyes on a postseason goal and began working. Saturday, Saginaw Valley State University crushed Hillsdale's dream with a 21-24 victory over Hillsdale.

"The desire and passion, the commitment our guys made in pursuit of that goal, and to just fall short, is hard to swallow," head coach Keith Otterbein said. "The general feeling right now is a little numb, a little drained, but we will regroup and go back at it."

The Chargers lost their first home game in their final match and finish the season 7-3 in the GLIAC and 8-3 overall.

The Cardinals hit their biggest plays in the first quarter. Within the first 25 seconds, a Saginaw wide receiver went for a 73-yard touchdown. Then Cardinal quarterback connected with another receiver who ran for a 96-yard touchdown.

With only 19 seconds left before halftime junior Aaron Waldie scored the Charger's first touchdown.

"You saw the struggle we had on offence," co-captain and quarterback Mark Nicolet, a senior, said. "There was a lack of execution on our part, and Saginaw was definitely the best team we've played all season. But, I don't think we ever thought we were out of the game."

The Cardinals regained control in the third quarter with a touchdown, but Charger defense kept them out of the end zone for the rest of the game.

"I think we just gave up those two big plays," linebacker and co-captain, Tom Korte, a junior, said. "Other than that I think our defense played pretty well."

The Chargers racked up two more touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters but it wasn't enough to send Saginaw packing.

"Saginaw's defense was the best we played this year," Otterbein said. "They really threw off our rhythm, which we never found all day. Every time we were on the verge of a good drive, something negative happened."

Hillsdale forced three turnovers from the Cardinals but gave three interceptions.

Overall, coaches and players were positive about the season.

"We took a big, necessary step forward," Otterbein said. "We needed to have that year where we had a lot of success."

Nicolet said this season proves the Chargers are capable of great things and hopes the future team continues the hard work fostered this year

"I hope the younger guys recognize how hard we worked and yet we still fell short," he said. "The work isn't done. We have been re-established in this conference but we need to continue to play well and prove ourselves week after week."

Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007

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