Tyler Horning/Collegian
Junior Jesse Hoskins readies his offense in his first game as starting quarterback.
The Chargers still had their pride as they walked off their home field Saturday, after losing to No. 14 ranked Northwood 56-21.
"The team kept their composure and responded well to an adverse situation," coach Keith Otterbein said. "The game was an up hill battle from the very beginning."
Saturday's defeat brings the Chargers record to 2-4, 2-4 GLIAC.
The Chargers struggled early and spent the rest of the game trying to catch up to Northwood's early lead. Within the first nine minutes of the game Northwood was ahead 21-0.
"At one point we had the opportunity to take the game to 7-14, that would have been a totally different ball game then entering half time at 21-0," quarterback Jessie Hoskins said.
Otterbein said the early mistakes in the game caused Northwood to gain too much momentum early on in the game.
"The game just didn't start off like we wanted," Otterbein said. "We are still looking for that day where everything goes right for us on the field."
This was Hoskins' first game starting for the year after starting quarterback Aaron Scholl was injured against Saginaw Valley.
Hoskins said that he didn't necessarily have the game experience going into Saturday's game, but he did have the team and offensive experience.
"I was confident in leading the offense," Hoskins said. "The little mistakes will become less and less as I gain more game time experience."
The Chargers kept their offense moving with 87 different offensive plays.
"We moved the ball really well," said junior Chris Clay. "We just had some problems with execution."
Hoskins ran the ball three yards at the end of the third quarter for the Chargers' first points of the game.
Clay scored the second touchdown in the fourth quarter, with their third touchdown scored by sophomore Brett Neller with 5:24 left.
Clay also had a season best of five passes for 64 yards with his touchdown.
In Hoskins' first starting game of the season he completed 22-of 34 passes for 209 yards along with his touchdown. Senior Dan Wilson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries.
The defense was led by senior Josh Mott with 13 stops, along with a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss.
The Chargers are now preparing for No. 1 ranked Grand Valley State.
"We have to keep believing in each other, keep playing hard, and stay confident," Hoskins said.
The Chargers will travel to Grand Valley State Saturday at 7 p.m.