After hard loss, Chargers face big foe
Nathan McClallen
Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: Sports
With a game against the No. 1 team in the country looming homecoming weekend, the Charger football team got caught off-guard by a high-energy Findlay University team Saturday.
Hillsdale went into halftime up 17-14, but allowed 28 unanswered points in the second half to lose 42-17.
After defeating a ranked opponent on the road and being recognized in the AFCA Division II Top 25, it's possible the Chargers were not fully prepared mentally for the game, according to head coach Keith Otterbein.
"There is a fine line between kinda being ready, and being ready," he said.
The performance was out of character for the Chargers, who are used to overcoming adversity to win games.
"In past games when things haven't gone our way we respond to it positively," said senior co-captain Jared Veldheer. "Saturday, when things didn't go our way, it seemed to spiral down and didn't ever go back."
One telling statistic was turnovers and their timing in the course of the game, according to Otterbein. Hillsdale had a costly fumble inside their opponent's five-yard line, and later dropped an interception.
Neither the offense or defense executed-the Chargers only gained 167 total yards, while allowing 307.
"It was pretty much a total collapse," said senior co-captain Mat Szula. "They came out of the locker room a lot more ready than we were."
Senior running back Vinnie Panizzi came through with another 100-yard rushing game, going for 102 yards on 26 carries including a score.
According to senior tight end Matt Patillo, Findlay's defense focused on junior Andre Holmes, leaving the underneath routes open. As a result, Patillo ended up with a season-high six catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. It was still a frustrating game for him, however.
"It's hard when you know you're capable of doing something, and you don't do it," said Patillo. "And we are capable of having a shutout defense and an explosive offense."
Hillsdale went into halftime up 17-14, but allowed 28 unanswered points in the second half to lose 42-17.
After defeating a ranked opponent on the road and being recognized in the AFCA Division II Top 25, it's possible the Chargers were not fully prepared mentally for the game, according to head coach Keith Otterbein.
"There is a fine line between kinda being ready, and being ready," he said.
The performance was out of character for the Chargers, who are used to overcoming adversity to win games.
"In past games when things haven't gone our way we respond to it positively," said senior co-captain Jared Veldheer. "Saturday, when things didn't go our way, it seemed to spiral down and didn't ever go back."
One telling statistic was turnovers and their timing in the course of the game, according to Otterbein. Hillsdale had a costly fumble inside their opponent's five-yard line, and later dropped an interception.
Neither the offense or defense executed-the Chargers only gained 167 total yards, while allowing 307.
"It was pretty much a total collapse," said senior co-captain Mat Szula. "They came out of the locker room a lot more ready than we were."
Senior running back Vinnie Panizzi came through with another 100-yard rushing game, going for 102 yards on 26 carries including a score.
According to senior tight end Matt Patillo, Findlay's defense focused on junior Andre Holmes, leaving the underneath routes open. As a result, Patillo ended up with a season-high six catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. It was still a frustrating game for him, however.
"It's hard when you know you're capable of doing something, and you don't do it," said Patillo. "And we are capable of having a shutout defense and an explosive offense."
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