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<strong>2010</strong> Charger Football<br />
1985: The national<br />
championship season<br />
The history of Charger football hit a high point in 1985, when<br />
head coach Dick Lowry and a talented senior class led the team<br />
to the NAIA national championship game. In that contest, the<br />
Chargers had to settle for a 10-10 tie vs. Central Arkansas.<br />
Quarterback Mike Gatt (pictured at right) connected with Scott<br />
Sugg on a 58-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth<br />
quarter to force the tie. Hillsdale and Central Arkansas ended up<br />
sharing the national championship that season, but ask anyone<br />
who saw that Charger team play, and there’s no question who<br />
“the” champions of the day were. Listed below is a game-bygame<br />
summary of that championship season.<br />
Week 1<br />
Sept. 14, 1985: Hillsdale 21, Wisconsin-Whitewater 7<br />
The Charger defense limited Wisconsin-Whitewater to 17 yards rushing and<br />
10 first downs in a solid season-opening win. Quarterback Mike Gatt goes 17-<br />
for-36 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Jeff Hubert returned an<br />
interception for a touchdown to open the scoring on the season.<br />
Week 2<br />
Sept. 21, 1985: Hillsdale 23, Ashland 7<br />
Dave Mifsud and Brian Walker each catch touchdown passes from Gatt as once<br />
again, Hillsdale shuts down an opponent. The Eagles managed just 161 total<br />
yards in the game.<br />
Week 3<br />
Sept. 28, 1985: Saginaw Valley 28, Hillsdale 17<br />
The only blemish on the season occurred in this game, when the Cardinals<br />
overcame six turnovers to defeat the Chargers. These two teams were picked<br />
to finish first and second in the GLIAC, and had a battle to live up to those<br />
predictions. SVSC held a 14-10 halftime lead, but scored back-to-back<br />
touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.<br />
Week 4<br />
Oct. 5, 1985: Hillsdale 25, Wayne State 0<br />
The dominating Charger defense returned to form, shutting out the Tarters. For<br />
the third time this season, the defense held an opponent to less than 175 total<br />
yards, as WSU gained just 122 against Hillsdale. Dennis Susa led the defensive<br />
effort with 11 tackles, while Mifsud caught a 10-yard touchdown pass.<br />
Week 5<br />
Oct. 12, 1985: Hillsdale 24, Ferris State 15<br />
In the annual homecoming game, Gatt passed for a school-record 349 yards to<br />
lead the Chargers past the Bulldogs. Gatt went 21-for-30 through the air. His<br />
passing sparked Hillsdale to an early 21-0 lead in the game.<br />
Week 6<br />
Oct. 19, 1985: Hillsdale 21, Grand Valley 14<br />
In one of the most competitive games of the regular season, the Chargers won<br />
in Allendale for the first time in five years. Hillsdale used special teams and the<br />
passing game to bolt to a 21-0 halftime lead. Steve Ferguson blocked a punt for<br />
a touchdown, while Mifsud and Jeff Lantis each caught touchdown passes from<br />
Gatt. Mifsud’s scoring reception was good for 58 yards.<br />
Week 7<br />
Oct. 26, 1985: Hillsdale 42, Kentucky State 0<br />
After the previous week’s slugfest, the Chargers had it a little easier in this nonleague<br />
game. Now ranked No. 8 in the nation, Hillsdale was led by linebacker<br />
Rodney Patterson’s 18 total tackles, including 11 solo stops.<br />
Week 8<br />
Nov. 2, 1985: Hillsdale 52, Michigan Tech 6<br />
In its second-straight blowout, the Chargers dominated the Huskies, sprinting<br />
out to a 35-0 halftime lead while holding the team to -12 total yards rushing.<br />
Hillsdale also got some help in the league on this day, climbing into first place<br />
after Ferris State beat Saginaw Valley.<br />
Week 9<br />
Nov. 9, 1985: Hillsdale 30, Northwood 0<br />
The Chargers clinch the GLIAC championship game on a field covered with<br />
three inches of snow. Mifsud and Lantis once again catch touchdown passes, and<br />
kicker Mark Baker boots three field goals under difficult conditions. Northwood<br />
was held to 101 total yards in the game.<br />
Week 10<br />
Nov. 16, 1985: Hillsdale 16, Central State (Ohio) 6<br />
Not satisfied with the conference championship, the Chargers clinch a spot in<br />
the NAIA playoffs in a mudbowl-type of game vs. Central State. After scoring a<br />
touchdown early, Central State’s explosive offense was shut down by the Charger<br />
defense. Gatt passed and ran for a touchdown in the win.<br />
NAIA Quarterfinals<br />
Dec. 7, 1985: Hillsdale 47, Salem College (W.Va.) 3<br />
A three-week layoff had no ill effects on the Chargers, as they destroyed their<br />
first-round playoff opponent. Gatt threw four touchdown passes on four<br />
successive possessions as Hillsdale jumped out to a 28-3 halftime lead. The<br />
Chargers outgained Salem 465-78 in total yards in the game.<br />
NAIA Semifinals<br />
Dec. 14, 1985: Hillsdale 24, Mesa (Col.) 21 - OT<br />
In a bitter rematch from the 1982 playoffs, Baker’s overtime field goal completed<br />
a stirring comeback by the Chargers. Hillsdale trailed 21-0 at halftime, but came<br />
back thanks to more consistent offense and two blocked field goals. A goal-line<br />
stand in overtime preserved the win for Hillsdale.<br />
NAIA National Championship Game<br />
Dec. 21, 1985: Hillsdale 10, Central Arkansas 10<br />
Split national championships are only a semi-regular occurance at the Division<br />
I level in college football these days, but back in 1985, there was no overtime to<br />
settle a championship game. So Hillsdale and Central Arkansas had to share the<br />
title of “national champions” that year after a 10-10 tie. Gatt found Scott Sugg<br />
for a 58-yard, game-tying touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter to<br />
force the tie. The Chargers finished the season 11-1-1, the second-most wins in<br />
a season in school history. A total of seven players earned All-American honors<br />
from the ‘85 Chargers: Steve Cook, Steve Ferguson, Jeff Gatt, Mike Gatt, Jeff<br />
Lantis, Paul Mackey and Kurt Norman.<br />
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