After four weeks into the 2024 football season, it’s clear that the premier return specialist in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) is Hillsdale College’s sophomore. His outstanding performance on Saturday, despite Hillsdale’s 28-21 loss to Findlay, solidified his reputation as he earned the G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolade.
Ruddy played a pivotal role in the game, accounting for all three of Hillsdale’s touchdowns, with a standout moment being his 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. This marked the first kickoff return for a touchdown by Hillsdale since Josh Peroni on October 16, 2021, against Lake Erie, and it also became just the second kickoff return touchdown by a G-MAC player this season, not to mention the longest kick return thus far.
The sophomore’s stellar performance included 158 yards accumulated through five kickoff and punt returns against Findlay. His 93-yard return, combined with a 34-yard return on the opening kickoff of the second half, helped set up Hillsdale’s initial touchdown in the game. With 428 yards in kickoff returns this season, he leads the G-MAC by nearly 150 yards and stands at the top nationally in NCAA Division II.
Ruddy excels in punt returns as well, averaging 14 yards per return, placing him first in the G-MAC. Additionally, he has proven to be an effective wide receiver, recording 344 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 receptions.
His impressive all-around abilities as a receiver, rusher, and returner have made him one of the most notable players in the nation, amassing 895 all-purpose yards to lead NCAA Division II by nearly 200 yards. Currently, he averages 223 yards per game, ranking highest among all players across FBS, FCS, and NCAA Division II, trailing only two NCAA Division III players.
Ruddy and the Chargers will be looking for their first win of the season this Saturday when they visit Northwood for a 1 p.m. kickoff.