The Hope football teams goes its fifth win of the season on Saturday when it travels to MIAA rival Alma. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Here is a look at the matchup between the Flying Dutchmen (4-2 overall, 1-1 MIAA) and the Scots (0-6, 0-2).
COACHES
Hope — Dean Kreps, 19th Season (98-84 overall)
Alma — Greg Pscodna, Second Season (1-15 at Alma, 29-44 overall)
GAME NOTES
This is the 87th meeting in the Hope-Alma rivalry that dates back to 1919. The Flying Dutchmen lead the all-times series 52-31-4, including a 49-14 win at home last season. Hope carries a three-game win streak in the series into the Michigan intercollegiate Athletic Association contest. In 2012, the Flying Dutchmen rode three rushing touchdowns and two touchdown passes from quarterback Michael Atwell to victory. Hope also limited the Scots to 252 yards of total offense, including 114 passing.
Senior running back Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (Comstock Park HS) is making a bid to pass David Booko for second all-time at Hope in rushing yards. Jackson enters today's game with 3,384 rushing yards. He trails Booko by 251. Booko ran for 3,635 yards between 2007-10. Brandon Graham is Hope's all-time rushing leader with 4,362 yards between 1995 and 1997.
Hope College football player Kirby Crook received a national honor this week. The Beyond Sports Network (BSN) has chosen the junior defensive back from Beech Grove, Ind., (Beech Grove HS) as one of seven NCAA Division III Defensive Players of the Week. The Beyond Sports Network is a sports media and event company that features athletes, coaches, teams and leagues from professional, NCAA, NAIA and high school teams. Crook intercepted two passes and recorded three tackles as the Flying Dutchmen handed Olivet its first loss of the season last weekend with a 47-14 defeat on the road.
The Flying Dutchmen lead the MIAA in several categories after six games. Hope is tops with 23 TDs, points with 187, points per game at 31.2, kickoff returns with a 20.2-yard average and net punt average at 35.3 yards. Hope also is second in the MIAA in scoring defense at 13.3 points per game, pass offensive at 274.2 yards per game and pass defense at 200.8 yards per game.
2013 TEAM STATISTICS
HOPE—CATEGORY—ALMA
31.2—Points Per game—8.7
13.3—Opponents Points Per Game—38.0
173.3—Yards Rushing Per Game—78.0
274.2—Yards Passing Per Game 122.0
447.5—Total Offense Per Game—200.0
143.7—Opponent's Rushing Per Game—78.8
200.8—Opponent's Passing Per Game—245.0
344.5—Total Defense Per Game—423.8
11/11—Turnovers/Takeaways—11/14
2013 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
HOPE (4-2 overall, 1-1 MIAA)
Hope 41, North Park 21, Sept. 7
Hope 41, Millikin 7, Sept. 14
Hope 37, Wisconsin Lutheran 7, Sept. 21
Illinois Wesleyan 14, Hope 7, Sept. 28
Adrian 17, Hope 14, Oct. 5
Hope 47, Olivet 14, Oct. 12
Hope at Alma, Oct. 19, 1 p.m.
Kalamazoo at Hope, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Hope at Trine, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.
Hope bye, Nov. 9
Albion at Hope, Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
ALMA (0-6 overall, 0-2 MIAA)
Heidelberg 52, Alma 7, Sept. 7
Illinois Wesleyan 38, Alma 3, Sept. 14
Lakeland 21, Alma 20, Sept. 21
Wisconsin-Oshkosh 56, Alma 3, Sept. 28
Olivet 20, Alma 13 OT, Oct. 5
Adrian 41, Alma 6, Oct. 12
Hope at Alma, Oct. 19, 1 p.m.
Alma at Albion, Oct. 26, 1 p.m.
Alma bye, Nov. 2
Alma at Kalamazoo, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
Trine at Alma Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
