In the more than 100 years of gridiron competition only one Hillsdale College football team has reached the pinnacle of success—a National Championship. The 1985 team, coached by the legendary Dick Lowry, won 11 consecutive games, then beat Central State and Colorado Mesa in the playoffs to reach the NAIA Championship game. Trailing late to host University of Central Arkansas in the title game, Hillsdale scored a touchdown in the final minutes to tie the contest 10-10 and earn a share of the NAIA National Championship.