The #5 seed in Super Region 1, Hillsdale College, faces the #1 seed Notre Dame College Falcons in an NCAA Division II regional semifinal...The other Super Region 1 semifinal game pits #7 seed Slippery Rock visiting #6 seed New Haven
By virtue of being the #1 seed, Notre Dame received a first-round bye in the NCAA Diviion II playoff bracket...This is the first-ever NCAA playoff game for the Falcons and the fifth for the Chargers
This is Hillsdale's second-ever NCAA Division II regional playoff semifinal appearance...The last time the Chargers advanced this far, they lost to Grand Valley State 44-27 back on Nov. 21, 2009
Notre Dame is the fourth consecutive nationally ranked opponent the Chargers have faced, and fifth on the season...Hillsdale is 3-1 in games against nationally ranked opponents, defeating Ohio Dominican, Tiffin and Kutztown while losing to Indianapolis...Notre Dame has played one nationally ranked team, and that was #16 Shepherd in the 2018 season opener on Sept. 1...The Falcons won that game 35-33
Hillsdale and Notre Dame haven't played any common opponents, but their opponents have...The Falcons edged Glenville State 27-17, who lost to Alderson Broaddus 45-17...Hillsdale beat AB 45-24...Charleston (Findlay) and Urbana (Lake Erie) are other such opponents between these two programs this year
Notre Dame College was a member of the GLIAC for one year, in 2012...Hillsdale beat Notre Dame 63-14 back on Sept. 22, 2012, the Chargers' 600th all-time victory as a program...Hillsdale had three defensive touchdowns in that win, and scored 60-plus points in a game for the first time since 1968
Chance Stewart needs 83 passing yards to break Hillsdale's single-season record for passing yards, currently held by Troy Weatherhead and set in 2009
Trey Brock needs 119 receiving yards to break Hillsdale's single-season record for receiving yards, currently held by Andre Holmes and set in 2010
Brock also sits two touchdown receptions shy of Aaron Waldie's record for touchdown catches in a single season (18)
Notre Dame College is a team with speed and big-play ability, particularly in the running game...The Falcons average 279.4 rushing yards per game and are led by Jaleel McLaughlin, who has 1,883 rushing yaards and 17 touchdowns on the season.
IUP/PSAC fans are funny. This Notre Dame team is very good. They just missed the playoffs in 16 & 17. They beat Shepherd to start the season. They beat a very good Fairmont State team on the road. Their RB is special and no one in the region compares to him except the RB at Edinboro. Notre Dame RB is faster/explosive/elusive.
Notre Dame up 10-0 at the half over Hillsdale. Notre Dame RB had 138 rushing yards in the 1st quarter.
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