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HILLSDALE — Hillsdale College football enters with expectations to put together one of the best seasons of the 2020s for the program after closing last year with four consecutive victories and a bowl game appearance.
More: Ferris State's Tony Annese selected to Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Chargers finished 6-6 in 2025 and are picked fifth in the preseason G-MAC coaches poll. A veteran roster and a school-record seven home games will give Hillsdale a chance to challenge the top teams in the conference.
For the first time 134 years of football at Hillsdale College, the Chargers will have seven regular season home games on the schedule for 2026.
This starts with opening weekend — McKendree heads into town looking to avenge its 22-17 loss at home in 2025:
While the Chargers will enjoy a historic seven-game home schedule, their path through the G-MAC will still be shaped by four important road contests.
The road slate begins with what may be Hillsdale's most important early-season game, a Sept. 19 trip to Midland for the annual Riepma Cup matchup against Northwood:
Sept. 12 vs. Wayne State
One week after the season opener, Hillsdale renews one of its oldest rivalries when Wayne State visits Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium. The teams have not met since 2016, but this will mark the 61st meeting in a series that dates back to 1909. Hillsdale holds the all-time advantage in the rivalry — a 39-20-1 overall record that saw conference battles for over four decades.
Of the 98 players currently on the Warrior's roster, a reported 30 new players will include 16 true freshman and 14 transfers. The entire WSU coaching staff is new to the program headlined by first-year coach Terrence Isaac Sr.
Findlay shared the 2025 G-MAC championship and was picked third in the 2026 preseason coaches poll, making this one of Hillsdale's biggest home games of the season. The Oilers head to Hillsdale in the middle of the Chargers' homestand. Findlay edged Hillsdale in a 16-14 barnburner.
The Chargers are coming off a historic season — setting a program-record 10 wins int he regular season. They made a NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Findlay will be under the helm of first-year coach Tyler Johns. Johns played for the Oilers ('12) and previously was the interim head coach at Gardner-Webb University. He took over for longtime coach Kory Allen, who resigned from his position after 20 years to join Toledo University as the associate head coach and tight ends coach.
The annual Traveling Trophy game headlines the end-of-season matchups for Hillsdale and is the last home game of the year. Ashland enters the season as the defending G-MAC co-champion and the conference preseason favorite after receiving six first-place votes in the coaches poll. The Eagles defeated Hillsdale 26-9 last season in Ashland, limiting the Chargers to just 49 passing yards.
Ashland advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs and lost to Ferris State 56-23 in the NCAA Division II second-round game. They ended the year 10-3 overall record and an 8-1 conference record. For the third year in a row, the Eagles were picked as the G-MAC favorite.
Vote for your favorite game
Let us know in the voting poll which game you're most excited for this season.
Since the G-MAC expansion nine years ago, five different schools have won the conference championship. The preseason favorite has gone on to win the title just twice — Ohio Dominican in 2017 and Tiffin in the 2021 spring season.
The Chargers return most of their offensive skill-position talent, including All-American receiver Shea Ruddy (Ottawa Lake Whiteford), G-MAC Freshman of the Year Ben Ngishu and third-year quarterback Colin McKernan (Brighton).
All-G-MAC linebacker Jacob Vance headlines a Charger defense that returns nine starters, including senior pass rusher Drake Badger — the first Charger to break double-digit sacks since 2009.
2026 Great Midwest Football Coaches Preseason Poll
FloCollege Streaming
All Hillsdale College athletic events will be streamed exclusively on FloCollege for the 2026-27 campaign as the streaming platform enters its second year of a rights deal with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Fans can sign up to stream events at go.flocollege.com, and starting this year fans can watch on-demand Charger content from past streams.
2026 Youth Football Camp
Registration is available for the 2026 Hillsdale Charger Youth Football Camp for students entering grades 1-6 in the fall of 2026. Campers will be coached by the Hillsdale College Football Staff and current players. Registration can be found online, and costs are listed at $20.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale football looks to climb G-MAC with record seven home games
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More: Ferris State's Tony Annese selected to Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Chargers finished 6-6 in 2025 and are picked fifth in the preseason G-MAC coaches poll. A veteran roster and a school-record seven home games will give Hillsdale a chance to challenge the top teams in the conference.
Program first
For the first time 134 years of football at Hillsdale College, the Chargers will have seven regular season home games on the schedule for 2026.
This starts with opening weekend — McKendree heads into town looking to avenge its 22-17 loss at home in 2025:
- Sept. 5: vs. McKendree, 12 p.m. Season opener and a rematch after Hillsdale's 22-17 road victory over the Bearcats in 2025.
- Sept. 12: vs. Wayne State, 12 p.m. The Chargers renew a long-standing in-state rivalry for the first time since 2016.
- Sept. 26: vs. Thomas More, 12 p.m. Hillsdale opens its home conference schedule against the Saints.
- Oct. 10: vs. Walsh, 2 p.m. The Chargers host their annual homecoming game at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium.
- Oct. 17: vs. Findlay, 1 p.m. Hillsdale welcomes one of the G-MAC's traditional powers and a 2025 conference co-champion.
- Oct. 24: vs. Tiffin, 2 p.m. Parents Weekend brings another key conference matchup to Hillsdale.
- Nov. 7: vs. Ashland, 12 p.m. The annual Traveling Trophy game features the defending G-MAC co-champion and 2026 preseason favorite.
Early road tests
While the Chargers will enjoy a historic seven-game home schedule, their path through the G-MAC will still be shaped by four important road contests.
The road slate begins with what may be Hillsdale's most important early-season game, a Sept. 19 trip to Midland for the annual Riepma Cup matchup against Northwood:
- Sept. 19: at Northwood, 12 p.m. Annual Riepma Cup game and Hillsdale's G-MAC opener against the preseason conference runner-up.
- Oct. 3: at Lake Erie, 1 p.m. The Chargers travel to Painesville, Ohio, for their second conference road game.
- Oct. 31: at Kentucky Wesleyan, 12 p.m. Hillsdale makes its lone October road trip outside of Ohio and Michigan.
- Nov. 14: at Ohio Dominican, 12 p.m. Regular-season finale in Columbus, Ohio.
Our Favorite games
Sept. 12 vs. Wayne State
One week after the season opener, Hillsdale renews one of its oldest rivalries when Wayne State visits Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium. The teams have not met since 2016, but this will mark the 61st meeting in a series that dates back to 1909. Hillsdale holds the all-time advantage in the rivalry — a 39-20-1 overall record that saw conference battles for over four decades.
Of the 98 players currently on the Warrior's roster, a reported 30 new players will include 16 true freshman and 14 transfers. The entire WSU coaching staff is new to the program headlined by first-year coach Terrence Isaac Sr.
Oct. 17 vs. Findlay
Findlay shared the 2025 G-MAC championship and was picked third in the 2026 preseason coaches poll, making this one of Hillsdale's biggest home games of the season. The Oilers head to Hillsdale in the middle of the Chargers' homestand. Findlay edged Hillsdale in a 16-14 barnburner.
The Chargers are coming off a historic season — setting a program-record 10 wins int he regular season. They made a NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Findlay will be under the helm of first-year coach Tyler Johns. Johns played for the Oilers ('12) and previously was the interim head coach at Gardner-Webb University. He took over for longtime coach Kory Allen, who resigned from his position after 20 years to join Toledo University as the associate head coach and tight ends coach.
Nov. 7 vs. Ashland
The annual Traveling Trophy game headlines the end-of-season matchups for Hillsdale and is the last home game of the year. Ashland enters the season as the defending G-MAC co-champion and the conference preseason favorite after receiving six first-place votes in the coaches poll. The Eagles defeated Hillsdale 26-9 last season in Ashland, limiting the Chargers to just 49 passing yards.
Ashland advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs and lost to Ferris State 56-23 in the NCAA Division II second-round game. They ended the year 10-3 overall record and an 8-1 conference record. For the third year in a row, the Eagles were picked as the G-MAC favorite.
Vote for your favorite game
Let us know in the voting poll which game you're most excited for this season.
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Notes
Since the G-MAC expansion nine years ago, five different schools have won the conference championship. The preseason favorite has gone on to win the title just twice — Ohio Dominican in 2017 and Tiffin in the 2021 spring season.
The Chargers return most of their offensive skill-position talent, including All-American receiver Shea Ruddy (Ottawa Lake Whiteford), G-MAC Freshman of the Year Ben Ngishu and third-year quarterback Colin McKernan (Brighton).
All-G-MAC linebacker Jacob Vance headlines a Charger defense that returns nine starters, including senior pass rusher Drake Badger — the first Charger to break double-digit sacks since 2009.
2026 Great Midwest Football Coaches Preseason Poll
- Ashland- 87 points (6 first place votes)
- Northwood- 85 points (4 first place votes)
- Findlay- 74 points
- Tiffin- 66 points
- Hillsdale- 61 points
- Walsh- 51 points
- Ohio Dominican- 42 points
- Lake Erie- 36 points
- Thomas More- 25 points
- Kentucky Wesleyan- 18 points
FloCollege Streaming
All Hillsdale College athletic events will be streamed exclusively on FloCollege for the 2026-27 campaign as the streaming platform enters its second year of a rights deal with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Fans can sign up to stream events at go.flocollege.com, and starting this year fans can watch on-demand Charger content from past streams.
2026 Youth Football Camp
Registration is available for the 2026 Hillsdale Charger Youth Football Camp for students entering grades 1-6 in the fall of 2026. Campers will be coached by the Hillsdale College Football Staff and current players. Registration can be found online, and costs are listed at $20.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale football looks to climb G-MAC with record seven home games
Continue reading...
