HILLSDALE — After finishing the 2024 season on a five-game winning streak and closing with a 6–1 record over their final seven contests, Hillsdale College football enters the 2025 campaign with real momentum.
Quarterback Colin McKernan emerged as a difference-maker down the stretch, finishing the year with 1,455 passing yards and 17 total touchdowns while earning All-G-MAC Honorable Mention honors. Junior Swiss-army-knife Shea Ruddy, honorable mention Don Hansen All-American, did a little of everything—racking up 1,779 all-purpose yards on offense and special teams. He became the first All-American and Academic All-American since 1972. Senior wideout Connor Pratt returns as one of the most experienced targets in the conference.
Second-year head coach Nate Shreffler helped steady the team after a 1–4 start in 2024 and led the team to a 6-1 finish at the end of the season. With a veteran roster returning on both sides of the ball, expectations are higher entering this fall.
But navigating the G-MAC is never easy. With just under a month until kickoff, here are five key matchups that could define Hillsdale’s 2025 football season.
Away: at McKendree University – Sep. 6 (Sat) 1 p.m. – Lebanon, Ill
Hillsdale opens at McKendree in just the second meeting between the programs; McKendree won the lone prior game 24–21 back in 2017. That loss didn’t derail Hillsdale’s season, which went on to finish with a winning record that season.
McKendree finished 5–6 in 2024 and lost its final two conference games. With both rosters returning experienced starters, this opener should be a perfect opportunity for the Chargers to continue their five-game win streak that started at Lake Erie in Oct. 19 of 2024.
Home: vs. Michigan Tech – Sep. 13 (Sat) 1 p.m. – Hillsdale
The Chargers lost 21–6 to Michigan Tech in their Week 2 matchup last fall, unable to sustain drives while Michigan Tech took advantage of turnovers. The Huskies return much of the same defensive front-seven starters — including junior DT Pierce Miller — and their lead ballcarrier — sophomore Jake Reuff. GLIAC first team receiver Ethan Champney is the top returning wideout.
The Huskies are fifth overall in the preseason GLIAC coaches poll. Coach Dan Mettlach’s squad finished 7-4 overall and 4-3 in GLIAC play in 2024. This will be a big test of how competitive the Chargers will be heading into G-MAC play.
Away: at Ashland – Sep. 20 (Sat) 1 p.m. – Ashland, OH
Ashland turned a tight fourth quarter into a 24–21 comeback win over Hillsdale in 2024, scoring two touchdowns in the final period to pull ahead. The Eagles ended their 2024 campaign with an appearance in the NCAA DII playoffs, carrying their season into the second round of the postseason. They earned a 9-4 record and a G-MAC championship. With 28 wins in the past three seasons, they’ve been a dominant force in conference play.
Coach Doug Geiser has won 18 games in his first two seasons at the helm of the Eagles, the most of any Ashland head football coach to start a tenure. Returning tailbacks Ty’aris Stevenson and Olando Kamara will be threats in the backfield. However, signal caller Trevor Bycznski is not back to anchor their offensive efforts after an 18-7 record as a starter. The opportunity for the Charger front seven to harass whichever first-year starter takes over the job will make this an interesting matchup to start the conference campaign.
Away: at Tiffin – Oct. 4 (Sat) 4 p.m. – Tiffin, OH
The Chargers’ stunning 20-17 win over Tiffin in early November last fall came in the midst of their final five-game win streak. The Dragans entered the game with the top offense and defense on paper in the G-MAC, but the Chargers held the Tiffin offense to just 248 yards. The Hillsdale College offensive attack, backed by 178 yards on the ground, scored in the final 48 seconds of the game on a 4th down touchdown pass from Colin McKernan to Connor Pratt.
The Dragons ended their 2024 campaign with an 8-4 overall record, 7-2 in the G-MAC. Their appearance in the America Crossroads Bowl game — a 29-10 loss to Truman State — was a sour note on an otherwise stellar campaign that included a 6-0 finish at home. Head coach Brett Ekkens’ squad returns tailback Ronald Blackman, who led the G-MAC in rushing and scoring. On the defensive side of the ball, Khris Walton returns as a D2CCA first team selection and a former G-MAC Defensive Lineman of the Year.
The Dragons will look to return the favor and get revenge on the visiting Chargers early in October.
Home: vs. Northwood – Oct. 18 (Sat) 1 p.m. – Hillsdale
Last year’s 14–13 win over Northwood came down to a goal‑line stand in the final minute; Northwood actually outgained Hillsdale through the air. Northwood earned its first winning conference season since 2017 in 2023, and followed it up with a 6-5 overall mark in 2024. Head coach Dustin Beurer will enter his third season at the helm of the Timberwolves with a question mark at quarterback and other positions after the departure of multiple seniors. This includes quarterback Jacob Barlage, now a running backs coach for the University of Redlands football team.
Returning quarterback Ethan Hamby will have first shot at the job after playing in 10 games last season with 882 passing yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. However, all eyes will be on former ‘The Voice’ phenom and Grass Lake graduate Brayden Lape, who will be in the spotlight immediately this fall as a redshirt freshman and 2024 second-team all-state honoree.
Full Schedule
These five matchups are more than just repeat games – they will be the ultimate pillars that the Chargers will need to win to build their 2025 campaign into a potential championship season.
Curious to dive deeper or plan your fall sports itinerary? Check out the full 2025 schedule below and pencil in the games that matter most to you:
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale College Football 2025: Five critical matchups, key returners and schedule preview
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
