Tyler Horning/Collegian
Senior defensive back Matt Kaler attemps to grab a pass from the Wayne State wide out.
Senior tailback Dan Wilson grew up watching the Detroit Lions play football at the Silverdome.
On Saturday, Wilson was one of eight Charger seniors to end their collegiate career in a victory over Wayne State University, 37-10, on the same field the Lions play on.
"It was a good way to go out," Wilson said. "It will be a good memory to have and it was really special to be able to end my career there."
The Chargers end their season with an overall record of 4-7, 4-6 GLIAC.
The team honored their seniors and celebrated their season-ending two-game winning streak at their team banquet on Sunday evening.
"This group of seniors deserves a lot of credit for sticking with this football program," head coach Keith Otterbein said. "They have shown a lot of loyalty."
Team awards were presented to several Chargers at the banquet. Senior linebacker Josh Mott won the Roy Beck Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row. Mott finished up ranking fifth in the nation in solo tackles per game and 27th nationally in total tackles per game.
The team's victory was the first game in the Collegiate Clash. Eastern Michigan faced off against Central Michigan following the Hillsdale-Wayne State game on Saturday.
"Playing in a facility and having it all come together like it did made it really fun to play on Saturday," freshman quarterback Mark Nicolet said. "It was great to see the offense and defense both playing so well."
The Charger's strong play started early in the first quarter when Wilson ran for 45-yards to score the opening touchdown for the team.
Sophomore Doug Dawson also scored in the first quarter on a one-yard run which put the team up 13-0. Junior Matt Menchinger made a 33-yard field goal to put the Chargers up 16-0 in the second quarter; and senior Dan Musielewicz caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from junior Jesse Hoskins to put the team up 23-3.
"The first half of the Wayne State game was as well as we have come to play all year," Otterbein said. "We came to a peak and it was a great send off for everyone to end the season on such an upbeat note."
The Chargers finished up the second quarter with two more touchdowns. The first on a one-yard run from Nicolet and the final by junior Chris Clay on a 31-yard pass from Nicolet.
The Chargers did not score after halftime, but the defense held Wayne State from scoring the rest of the game which ensured the Charger victory.
Mott ended his career with a team high of 119 stops, including eight tackles in Saturday's game. Juniors Mitch May and Matt Britton both added eight more each.
Otterbein said it was frustrating to look at their GLIAC record because 4-6 has been the same finish for the Chargers for the past three years.
"We are a way different football program than we were three years ago," Otterbein said. "We know we are headed in the right direction and we have a lot of momentum for our off season, this group of seniors has helped the team build a foundation for future championships."
As the Chargers prepare for their training and recruiting in the off season, their experience at Ford Field will remain a motivator as plans already begin for their 2005-2006 season.
"The last 60 minutes of football the team played and the way that football game was played on Saturday gave us a strong season finish," Otterbein said.
"The team is focused on hard work, dedication and sacrifice and it's reassuring to know that as this season ends we all are on the same page."