HANOVER, Ind. - The Hanover Panthers are set to kick-off Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action this weekend, welcoming Defiance to Alumni Stadium and C. Wayne Perry Field.

WEEK IN REVIEW - Hanover remained perfect after capturing a 38-14 victory over Trine. Senior Kolton Richards (Kissimmee, Fla.) paced the Panther offense with 412-yards through the air and four touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Player of the Week.
 
His top target, senior Hunter Eads (Batavia, Ohio) recorded 149-yards receiving while charting two endzone visits. As a team, the Panthers turned in 549 total yards of offense, averaging 7.4 yards per play.
 
THE PERFECT START - The Panthers enter the weekend at 3-0 overall for the first time since the 2002 season. In 2022, the Panthers posted a 10-1 mark with their first loss coming against Wittenberg as part of the NCAA Playoffs. Hanover was led by Hall of Fame head coach, C. Wayne Perry.
 
LAST MEETING - In 2022, Hanover found themselves in a bit of a cat fight topping the Yellow Jackets of Defiance 37-20. Despite surrendering 14 first half points, the Panthers went on to dominate the second half outscoring the Yellow Jackets, 23-6. Leading the attack was junior Austin Oppel (Brandenburg, Ky.) with 113-yards rushing and one touchdown.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS - The Panther defense ranks as the best among the HCAC in points per game (12.7), touchdowns allowed (5), and sacks (7). The Hanover secondary ranks second in interceptions with six for a combined 62-yards.
 
However, the Panther defense excels on stopping the rush holding opponents to a league low 250-yards. Defiance ranks second in this category allowing 532-yards on the ground.
 
BUZZING INTO THE WEEKEND - Defiance enters the contest at 1-2 overall after dropping their week three matchup at Kalamazoo, 42-35. Leading the Yellow Jackets this season is senior quarterback, Jordan Ambrose with 644-yards through the air and 236-yards rushing. The senior has accounted for seven combined touchdowns.