Football Claims Inaugural Riepma Cup - Defeats Hillsdale 48-19

OVERVIEW – HILLSDALE

SCORE: Northwood Timberwolves 48, Hillsdale Chargers 19
RECORDS: Northwood 6-1, 4-1 G-MAC | Hillsdale 2-5, 1-4 G-MAC
LOCATION: Muddy Waters Stadium – Midland, Mich.
RECAP: Northwood football improves to 6-1 on the season, taking home the inaugural Riepma Cup in a 48-19 win at Hillsdale Saturday (October 18).

INSIDE THE GAME

• Northwood got the ball to start the game and went right down the field. The Timberwolves went 61 yards in nine plays, capped by an Ethan Hamby 27-yard touchdown pass to Lake Boos to make the score 7-0.
• The NU defense made a big play to set up the Timberwolves' next touchdown. Defensive end Charlie Lovell deflected a pass in the air, which came down in the hands of Cole Simpson at the Hillsdale 47-yard line. Four plays later on fourth and one, Hamby connected with Mitch Rivard on a 38-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-0.
• After a three-and-out on defense, the Timberwolves found the end zone for the third time on the day. Hamby scored on a nine-yard touchdown run. That capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive to push the advantage to 21-0.
• Hillsdale built momentum early in the second quarter, scoring two straight touchdowns. A missed extra point on the second TD made the score 21-13 at the 6:24 mark.
• The Timberwolves responded right away on their next possession, going 80-yards on eight plays. Northwood left tackle Kevin Brown, lining up at fullback, scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard touchdown run.
• NU added three more points at the end of the half, as Drew Cady connected from 46-yard field goal to send the game to the break at 31-13.
• Northwood extended their lead at the 5:03 mark of the third quarter. On third and 10, Hamby found Rivard for their second touchdown connection on the day. The 38-yard TD gave Northwood a 38-13 lead.
• Hillsdale scored a TD late in the third to get within 19 at 38-19.
• NU reached the 40-point mark on a Cady 25-yard field goal at the 14:05 mark of the fourth to extend their advantage to 41-19.
• On the first play of the following possession for Hillsdale, Northwood's Jalin Pitchford intercepted a pass and returned it 42-yards to the Charger 17 yard line.
• After scoring his first career touchdown earlier in the game, Kevin Brown scored once again from one-yard out to make the score 48-19.

GAME STATS

• FIRST DOWNS: Northwood 20, Hillsdale 17
• RUSHES-YARDS: Northwood 42-136, Hillsdale 26-101
• PASSING YARDS: Northwood 296 (19-34, 3 TDs, 0 INTs), Hillsdale 253 (16-33, 2 TDs, 2 INTs)
• TOTAL OFFENSE, PLAYS-YARDS: Northwood 76-432, Hillsdale 59-354
• TIME OF POSSESSION: Northwood 32:34, Hillsdale 27:26

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

• Hamby: 17-31, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 32 yards rushing, TD
• Rivard: Five catches, 106 yards, 2 TDs
• Lake Boos: Four catches, 61 yards, TD
• Kevin Brown: Two rushing touchdowns
• Simpson: Six tackles, .5 tackles for loss, interception
• Pitchford: Four tackles, .5 tackles for loss, interception
• Kanye Jackson: Four tackles, sack, two tackles for loss

NORTHWOOD NOTES

• Northwood takes home the inaugural Riepma Cup with the victory. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Northwood/Hillsdale game from here on out. It is named in honor of Pat Riepma, a hall of famer player at Hillsdale and hall of fame coach at Northwood.
• This is Northwood's first 6-1 start since the 2006 season. That year, Northwood made its final of three consecutive NCAA Playoff appearance.
• Northwood's win over Hillsdale is their first against the Chargers since 2009, snapping a 10-game losing streak.

UP NEXT

• Northwood travels Kentucky Wesleyan Saturday (October 25). Game time is set for 1 p.m. (Eastern time).