Hillsdale (4-1, 3-1 GLIAC) travelled to Ashland (3-2, 3-1 GLIAC) for what was expected to be a classic shootout - the GLIAC #1 passing offense of the Chargers against the #2 passing attack of the Eagles. Rainy conditions at game time along with dominating line play (AU QB Billy Cundiff was sacked 7 times) on both sides of the ball by Hillsdale saw the Chargers run for 283 yards and 5 TDs as HC crushed the Eagles 38-19. Charger kicker Mark Petro added a late FG and 5 for 5 PATS to stay among the national kicking leaders in D-2.

College: Hillsdale College Conference: D-2 GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn

Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class

AJ Kegg 3 5' 11.8 189 4.60 WR 2010

Kegg had a modest day with just 4 catches for 43 yards. He snagged a very nice 12 yard hook for a first down and continues to make good contact on his downfield blocking assignments. He also had 2 carries for 7 yards as the Chargers used him on the ground to keep AU OLBs at home. He does his job and as mentioned before, improvments in his speed could put him in the next level.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Drew Berube 99 6' 3.8 280 4.85 DT 2010

Today Berube showed why he was picked as our D-2 Pre-season Defensive POY - his 3 solo tackles, including 2 sacks for -15 led the swarming Charger defense that sacked AU's Billy Cundiff 7 times and completely derailed the Ashland pass attack. Particularly impressive was Berube's open field sack of Cundiff on AU's first play of the second half after HC had just driven and scored on their opening drive. Cundiff booted left, but Berube was able to close quickly and sack the Eagle QB for a 14 yard loss - after the HC score this was an 'exclamation point' that Hillsdale intended to dominate for the rest of the game. Because of his quickness, AU was constantly having to divert two linemen to Berube, giving other HC defenders opportunities to harass Cundiff. Berube also had a pass break-up showing his ability to drop-off in coverage. I suggested he needed to 'pick it up' in my last evaluation - Drew answered the call in no uncertain terms with this performance.
GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

Jared Veldheer 66 6' 6.8 321 4.87 OT 2010

Hilldsale ran for almost 6 yards per rush (48 rushes for 283 yards) with over two-thirds of the plays behind Veldheer. HC opened the second half with a 46-yard run on toss sweep, where Veldheer just engulfed the AU end and created a soft-corner and it was 'off to the races' for Charger RB Panizzi and set the tone for the remainder of the game. Because Veldheer was so much more physcially dominant (he had about 10 inches and 100 pounds on the AU DE) and he was flagged twice for holding, I will only give him a 'positive rating' - I would like to see him play against bigger competition to get a true evaluation of his abilities - I might have to wait until the Combine to see those match-ups, though.
GRADE: POSITIVE

College: Ashland University Conference: D-2 GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn

Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class

Billy Cundiff 17 6' 1.6 219 4.58 QB 2010

Cundiff threw for 227 yards (17-26 with no INTs) and 2 TDs of 11 and 45 yards. He was also forced to run 14 times for -3 yards of which 7 were sacks. Cundiff has now been sacked a GLIAC-leading 19 times - the young offensive line must improve. Cundiff made some great plays - with time, he hit WR Nick Bellanco for a 45 yard TD with a throw that was at least 55 yards in the air; he shook a potential tackler, looked off the defender, then hit Livingston for an 11-yard TD in the 3rd quarter. However, Cundiff missed several opportunities to connect downfield with open receivers - whether he was unsure of his time in the pocket or concerned about possible INTS, he did not give his WRs many chances to make plays which cost Ashland in yards and possible TDs. However, despite the pressure on him, Cundiff has only thrown 1 INT in 135 attempts with 12 TDs for a 172.4 efficiency rating - which is very positive, so it is tough to criticize his decision-making.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Joe Horn 7 5' 11.9 186 4.40 WR 2011

Horn caught 3 for 23 yards and had 2 KO returns for 24 yards. He got to the edge on his second return and was tripped-up by the HC safety to prevent a big gain (an AU holding call behind the play brought it back, too). His routes were very good (no HC DB was able to stay with him) and with enough time, Cundiff could have completed 4-5 more to him. His downfield blocking continues to be good, with an excellent block on the HC corner that sprung AU RB DJ McCoy for his longest run of the day of 28 yards. He also got a hand on the kicker as the punt block team almost blocked the first HC punt.
GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

GAME NOTES: Hillsdale QB Troy Weatherhead has passed for just 152 yards and 0 TDs (12-21-1) ... Charger RB senior Vinnie Panizzi had 28 carries for 231 yards and 3 TDs - he was named GLIAC offensive player of the week for his efforts ... Charger senior co-captain LB Matt Szula had a career-high 17 tackles (10 solo) to lead the defense (again) ... AU OLB Quinton Scott had his second INT of the season ... AU SR LB and defensive captain Marcus Council had 10 tackles (7 solo) including a sack, 2 TFLs, a forced-fumble and a QB hurry.

The Ashland Eagles travel to Detroit to face Wayne State (MI) (4-1, 3-1 GLIAC) to take on the Warriors who beat Tiffin 38-8 (Joique Bell had 35 carries for 175 yards and 2 TDs). Hillsdale travels to Findlay (4-1, 3-1 GLIAC) who beat Nortwood 14-0.

Can you give some player that either Berube or Veldheer remind you of, Jay?

Really, the first player I thought of when I saw Veldheer last year at Hillsdale was the former UCLA and Ravens' OT Jonathan Ogden - they both just TOWER over everyone - but they are both very agile and quick on their feet. The tremendous 'wing span' of their big frames make each an excellent pass blocker (I think Ogden only gave up 2 sacks in his playing days at UCLA). You know Ogden won the NCAA shot-put title in 1996 - he is extremely fast across the circle. Veldheer doesn't run track or play basketball at Hillsdale, but he could - that's how mobile he is.

Berube reminds of Kyle Vanden Bosch of the Titans - Vanden Bosch is a tad shorter and lighter (not by much!) but plays with the same tough, no-nonsense, do-the-job-right and git-'r-done approach. Berube's speed at times reminds of Antwan Odum, but that could be because I'm a life-long Bengals fan who finally has someone on defense to cheer about (and make positive comparisons to!)

Excellent and vivid comparisons, Jay.

Thanks.

Sounds like we should have Veldheer in our Top 100?