HILLSDALE, Mich. - Michigan Tech engineered a late scoring drive to get within 37-35, but Hillsdale recovered an on-side kick and ran out the clock in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Tech scored the game's opening points, but trailed for each of the final three quarters in suffering just its second season-opening loss in the last 12 years.

The early-season game provided the 1,799 fans in attendance a spectacle. There were more than 800 yards of total offense, no turnovers and only five combined penalties in the contest.

Down as many as 13 after the Chargers scored with 7:35 to play in third quarter, the Huskies rallied to close the gap to 30-28. Phil Milbrath scored the second of his two touchdowns with a 25-yard run around left tackle untouched with 10:07 to play.

The Black and Gold then held HC to a field goal attempt, which was missed with 4:55 to play. Tech couldn't take advantage of a chance to go ahead as the offense went three and out.

Hillsdale quarterback Troy Weatherhead then provided the play of the day with a 53-yard pass completion on 1st and 20 from his own 20. The play set up an eventual Vinnie Panizzi touchdown run with 1:37 to go that made the score 37-28.

Tech answered just 47 seconds later as Steve Short found Bobby Slowik on a two-yard route. But with only one timeout, the Huskies were forced to attempt an on-side kick. Hillsdale easily recovered and kneeled out the remaining time.

"We played a good ballgame-especially for our first game out," said head coach Tom Kearly. "We scored 35 points, didn't turn it over and didn't have big penalties.

"Give Hillsdale credit. Their QB played a great game, and they made the big plays."

Weatherhead completed 24-of-32 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Panizzi added 96 yards and score on the ground for the hosts.

Short had a strong game with 237 yards of total offense for the Huskies-178 passing and 59 more rushing. He completed 18-of-29 throwing attempts and picked up first downs with six of his 10 rushing attempts.

Short hit Bobby Slowik on a 29-yard touchdown pass to open scoring at 10:05 of the first quarter. HC then reeled off 17 straight points before Milbrath sprinted around the left tackle for a 12-yard TD.

The Chargers drove the field late in the second quarter for a 24-yard field goal to extend the margin to 20-14 at the half. HC kicker Mark Petro connected on all four extra points and 3-of-4 field goals in the game, which allowed the home team to come out on top.

Milbrath, who led the GLIAC in rushing last year, tallied 75 yards on 20 carries. Slowik notched 111 yards on seven catches.

Senior free safety David Carmody led Tech's defensive effort with 14.0 tackles. Inside linebacker Michael Rittenour added 12 more.

Michigan Tech (0-1, 0-1 GLIAC) will travel to #23 Ashland next Saturday (Sept. 12) for a 1 p.m. kickoff.