HILLSDALE, Mich. – For the third straight season the Kentucky Wesleyan College football team traveled to Michigan to take on the Chargers of Hillsdale College on Saturday. The Panthers suffered a 41-14 setback in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action.
The defense shined in the first quarter, holding the Chargers scoreless after a fumble recovery and a pick six. Facing second and goal inside the red zone, the Hillsdale quarterback fumbled and Zac Thornton pounced on the ball.
On Hillsdale's next possession, Thornton came up big again with an interception at the 33-yard line that was taken back to the house. Chris Mangold converted the extra point to give Wesleyan a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.
Facing fourth and five at midfield on the ensuing possession, the Chargers got a fresh set of downs with an untimely pass interference call on a fake punt. Hillsdale took advantage of the automatic first down, scoring their first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter. Hillsdale went on to score two more touchdowns in the second frame to take a 21-7 lead to halftime.
The Panthers opened the second half with an onside kick that was recovered by the Chargers. Three straight penalties brought up second and thirty before another untimely Panther penalty gave the Chargers an automatic first down. Hillsdale found the end zone but the play was called back on a holding penalty. The Panthers held the Chargers to a field goal, making it 24-7. After forcing the Panthers to punt on three and out, the Chargers scored again to increase their lead to 24.
Wesleyan's ensuing drive was arguably their best of the day with Corey Johnson Jr. notching a 13-yard run to start things off. Quarterback Wiley Cain threw it deep for Sam Thomas who was brought down inside the 1-yard line for a 47-yard catch. Jatorian Dillard punched in the one-yard run before Mangold knocked in the extra point, making it 31-14 entering the final frame.
Hillsdale put the game out of reach for the Panthers with a field goal midway through the quarter and scoring their final touchdown in the final 90 seconds.
Wesleyan racked up 258-yards of total offense including 136-yards in the air. Cain finished with 90-yards on 10 completions while Mike McGee recorded 46-yards on 4 completions. Dillard led the run game with 79-yards on 11 carries while Johnson Jr. finished with 64-yards on 13 carries.
Moe Carter led the defense with 11 tackles on the day, eight of which were solo. Thornton finished with eight tackles, one fumble recovery and one pick six. Darryl Pointer, Drew Mattox and RJ Wilson each recorded one sack.
The Panthers remain on the road next week, traveling to North Canton, Ohio to take on the Cavaliers of Walsh University.
