Game Preview: NMU versus Hillsdale

MARQUETTE – On the road to a GLIAC championship, the obstacles do not get any easier. For the No. 23 Wildcats, there can be no detours. Even for a battle tested team like NMU, the Hillsdale Chargers present a real tough challenge tomorrow. After a week where they became the first team in the GLIAC in 45 games to beat the Lakers of Grand Valley State, this Charger team is pumping on all the right cylinders. The Hillsdale Chargers is looking to click at the right time of the season. With tough GLIAC competition, the Chargers are more potent then they have been all year. Despite missing the Top 25, Hillsdale is ranked as one of the top teams in the region by d2football.com. Like the Wildcats, the Chargers are 2-0 this season against ranked opponents. On offense the gameplans will be the opposite. When it comes down to winning the game though, it will be all about defense. Something that favors the NMU Wildcats on their home field.

From the opening kickoff, it will be a game of possession, defensive pressure, and veteran coaching pitted against each other. Every Week from here on out is make or break for the Wildcats. It can also be argued that for the Chargers, Saturday’s game is a true test of legitimacy when it comes to playoff football. Without a doubt, Wildcat fans are in for another fun game at the Superior Dome on Saturday.

#23 NMU (5-1) vs. Hillsdale (5-2)

Saturday, October 17th 2009

Superior Dome

Series Record: 14-22-1

NMU Game Notes

Streaming Video: B2 Networks

Streaming Audio: Hillsdale’s Coverage and NMU Coverage

Live Stats: GLIAC Website

Coaching Profile:

Anytime two head coaches who have both won more than 100 games meet, you know that the game is not only going to be competitive. It’s going to come down to one big game decision. The question has to be will the hometown Wildcats have an advantage with Bernie Anderson at the helm? Or will Hillsdale’s Keith Otterbein be the one celebrating on the sideline after upsetting the number one team in the nation. So far Otterbein’s losses this season have come on the road. Bernie Anderson has reeled of five straight wins.

Like coach Anderson here in Marquette, Keith Otterbein has found his niche returning to his alma matter, after leading another GLIAC team for the last few seasons.  After starring for the Chargers as a linebacker, Otterbein got into the coaching ranks, becoming an assistant at Central Michigan, and then finding his way back into the GLIAC as the head coach of the Ferris State Bulldogs. After eight years, 60 wins, and a Bulldog hall of fame birth, Otterbein headed to division one football, to become the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach for the Ball State Cardinals. After a few years in the MAC, Otterbein returned to his hometown Chargers. Since then Hillsdale has started a true turnaround in the program. Since becoming the head coach, the Hillsdale  coach has went 19-8. In 2007 and 2009, the Chargers had back to back winning seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996.  Earlier in the season, Otterbein won his 100th game as a head coach.

On the opposite side of the field, Bernie Anderson looks to have continued success as the Wildcats hit the “stretch drive” of their schedule. With Findlay and Grand Valley State coming up on the road, Anderson’s push to the playoffs begin here at the Dome. Anderson has led his ‘Cats to the best start since 1987, when NMU started the season 6-0. With a very balanced offense, It will be key for Anderson and Defensive Coordinator Randy Awrey to find the right defensive packages that could shut down the run and the pass.

Currently, Bernie Anderson is 15-21 in his tenure at NMU.

Defensive Game Plans:

Just like last week, Coach Randy Awrey will have to call on his defense play by play, as the offensive formation is formed at the line of scrimmage. Last week, against Wayne State and GLIAC top rusher Joique Bell, it worked. On Saturday, despite being a throwing heavy offense, the Chargers will put on display the best lineman in division two, and the second best runner in the conference statistically. Co-captain Jared Veldheer at left tackle s a legitimate round 4-6 NFL draft prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. Vinnie Panizzi has been a productive back the past few years, gathering more than 3,000 yards in his career.

Just like last week, the plan cannot be to shut down Panizzi. The goal has to be containing him. Last week against Joique Bell, the Wildcat defense allowed him just a bit over 100 yards, but they kept him out of the end zone all but once. Red Zone defense, which continues to be a strong point of this team, will be another big key. The Chargers have scored 11 of their last 12 touchdowns on the ground. They have also had the best success inside the 20 offensively. The Chargers are 36/39 this season from the red zone.

Though they pound the ball on the opponent’s side of the field, the Hillsdale offense knows how to spread the ball aerially when need be. The true test will come in the air, and this defense has not yet competed against a top five GLIAC passing offense this season. While the Wildcats possess the worst pass offense in the GLIAC, signal caller Troy Weatherhead and the Chargers are second in the league in passing offense per game. Weatherford is averaging 254 yards in the air per game. Receivers A.J. Kegg and Andre Holmes have been magnificent. Both are in the top three in receptions in the GLIAC conference and Holmes has averaged just under 100 yards per game.

Even though the aerial attack is well documented, Hillsdale Offensive Coordinator Barry Fagon believes that the NMU defense is just as good as advertised. Earlier this week on the Charger Comment podcast, he stated that this game was going to be a street battle. He also said that NMU’s defense will be and is more aggressive than the Grand Valley Lakers defense.  Without a doubt, Nathan Yelk and company are going to need to be very aggressive. One of the biggest advantages in this game comes in turnover margin. The Chargers have forced -2 turnovers, while the Wildcats have forced ten.  If the defense can separate the game late, like they did against Wayne State, than this game could be widespread on the scoreboard mid-way through the fourth quarter.

Game Notes:

• Like the Wildcats, the Chargers are 2-0 against ranked opponents this season. Like Mentioned, the goal will be for Hillsdale to spread the ball through the air. On defense, the Wildcats have allowed just a little over 190 yards per game in the air. The true test for Hillsdale will be if they can run the ball up front.

• The last time the Chargers gave up 300+ yards rushing, it was against the Wildcats in 2007. Hillsdale has a very comparable front line to Wayne State. The Chargers will create a lot of pressure up front, especially if Carter Kopach has to throw a lot inside the pocket. Defensive End Drew Berube leads the GLIAC in sacks to start the week. The goal on offense through the air will have to be quick outs and rollouts out of the pocket.

• Kickin’ Balls- Senior Place Kicker Mark Petro could be a major factor in this game for the Chargers. With no wind, Petro could have a big afternoon. As one of the nation’s best kickers, Petro averages two field goals a game and is second all-time at Hillsdale College in career points at the kicker position. One week after Grand Valley’s missed field goal, the pressure could be reversed at the Superior Dome.

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