Box Score 
A blocked punt for a touchdown and an extra point return for two points highlighted the Hope football team's 47-14 rout of previously unbeaten Olivet on Saturday.
The Flying Dutchmen spoiled their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe's homecoming while improving to 4-2 overall and evening their league record at 1-1.
"I told the team that I am proud of them. We all are," Hope coach Dean Kreps said. "We had a job to do today and we did it. One at time. We will enjoy this for about 24 hours and then we must move on and start preparing for Alma."
Sophomore Augie Mata of Holland (West Ottawa HS) returned a blocked punt 60 yards for a touchdown four minutes into the game that gave Hope a 14-0 lead. Mata also had a game-high eight tackles.
The play came seven plays after the Flying Dutchmen scored on an 11-yard touchdown run from senior Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (Comstock Park HS).
Olivet then fumbled the kickoff, and Hope freshman Zach Boersema of Holland (West Ottawa HS) recovered it at the Comets 12-yard line. Two plays later, senior quarterback Michael Atwell hooked up with senior receiver Vincent Boddy of West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield HS) for a 16-yard touchdown and a 21-0 Hope lead just 5:04 into the game.
After Olivet (5-1, 1-1 MIAA) scored a touchdown, Hope blocked the Comets' PAT. Junior Kirby Crook took it back 98 yards for two points and a 23-6 Hope lead.
The Flying Dutchmen tacked on a 1-yard touchdown run from junior fullback Bill Brown of Lawton (Lawton HS) and Boddy on a 29-yard pass from Jackson to extend their lead to 37-14 by halftime.
Jackson rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He had an 18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Boddy finished with a team-high 131 receiving yards on a game-high six catches. Atwell completed 14-of-23 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown.
Hope also snapped a two-game losing streak.
"We played good teams the last two weeks," Kreps said, referring to Illinois Wesleyan and Adrian. "Not to make excuses, but Adrian's defense is eighth in the nation. Our kids believe in what we are doing and they play hard. We try to put them in good position, but today's win is really a tribute to the players. I said it before and I'll say it again. I love this team. Good students, good athletes, good people. It's not just a tagline.
"We challenged the offensive line all week to protect Mike. They take pride in their work and it showed today. It's never one person or one group or one anything. Each player and position needed to raise their level of play and they did."
The Flying Dutchmen return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, when they travel to Alma in MIAA action. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
