HILLSDALE, Mich. – The Truman State Football team scored all their points in the second half to rally from a 13-0 deficit and defeated Hillsdale (Mich.) College 21-13 on the road Saturday.
The Chargers struck with 4:13 left in the first quarter on a 25-yard pass from Luke Keller to Sam Lee but the extra point was missed. Late in the second, Isaac TeSlaa hauled in a 10-yard pass to cap off a short field following a Truman turnover to put Hillsdale in front 13-0.
Truman found their groove on their first drive of the second half as they pounded out a 17-play, 88-yard march with
Matt Hall nabbing a five-yard pass from Hair and skirting into the endzone. The Bulldogs converted on two fourth downs during the possession with Hair finding
Zach Zerwig for 21-yards on fourth and four and Hall for the touchdown also on fourth and two from the five.
The defense took over and forced a quick three and out to put the Hillsdale "D" back on the field less than two minutes later. The short punt set up Truman at the Charger 46 and when the scoreboard flipped to the fourth quarter, Hair gutted out a six-yard run after bobbling the snap to put Truman in front 14-13.
On the ensuing drive by Hillsdale,
Ben Watson tipped and snared Keller's pass for the interception putting the offense back to work at the Charger 44.
Truman came up empty but
Taylor Cornish pinned the Chargers inside their own 10.
The "D" forced another quick exit and another short punt put Truman at the Hillsdale 39.
From there, Hair kept the ball on the first play for 19 yards and
Shamar Griffith broke free for a 20-yard score with
Grant Ross providing the extra point, Truman led 21-13.
Hillsdale had two late drives that both ended on failed fourth down conversions.
Hair was 22-of-28 for 187 yards and also gained 52 yards on the ground. Griffith rushed 15 times for 60 yards and Zerwig and Hall each caught five passes, Zerwig for 60 yards and Hall for 33.
Isaiah Estes and
Ulysses Ross shared tackle honors with nine each, with Estes picking up a big sack in the second half.
Truman State moves to 2-1 on the season and will host Tiffin (Ohio) for Family Day next Saturday at 2 p.m.
