The Hope College football team kicks off the 2013 season tonight with a nonleague game at North Park (Ill.) near Chicago.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. eastern daylight time, 6 p.m. Central. Here are game notes for today's opener.

COACHES

Hope — Dean Kreps, 19th Season (94-82)

North Park — Michael C. Conway, First Season. Had been assistant at D-II California (Pa.) past 11 seasons

MEDIA COVERAGE

MLive: Five Things To Watch in Hope-North Park

Holland Sentinel: College Football Preview

NOTEBOOK

The Hope-North Park rivalry started last season. Hope won last year's inaugural meeting against its foe from the Collegiate Conference of Illinois Wisconsin 42-24 at home as running back Shawn Jackson rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Michael Atwell threw for 176 yards and one touchdown.

Hope senior quarterback Michael Atwell is 77 yards from becoming the sixth 4,000-yard career passer in Hope history. Atwell ranks seventh with 3,923 career passing yards. Atwell threw for a MIAA-best 2,254 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 overall games last season. The school record of 8,510 career yards belongs to Phil Butler (2000-03).

Hope senior running back Shawn Jackson needs 871 yards to become the Flying Dutchmen's third 3,000-yard career rusher. Jackson currently is eighth all-time with 2,129 yards. The school record of 4,362 is held by Brandon Graham (1995-97).

Hope senior linebacker Tim Klaus is a returning two-time All-MIAA honoree who averaged a team-leading 10.1 tackles per game last season. He had 12 tackles for loss as a junior that resulted in negative-38 yards. Klaus also forced three fumbles and broke up one pass. 

Hope junior defensive back Kirby Crook is one of eight players in Flying Dutchmen history to collect at least six interceptions in one season, grabbing six in 2012. He was the first since Troy Blasius in 2005 to accomplish the feat. The school record of nine belongs to Joe Diekevers (2004). 

There is a family connection on the Flying Dutchmen's offensive line. Returning All-MIAA tight end and senior Connor Parcell will be joined by his younger brother Brandon at left tackle. Brandon Parcell started the final five games in 2012 at right tackle as a freshman.

2012 RESULTS

HOPE (5-5 overall)                          

Hope 42, North Park 24

Millikin 49, Hope 20

Concordia-Chicago 63, Hope 47

Illinois Wesleyan 23, Hope 13

Adrian 24, Hope 0

Hope 24, Olivet 14

Hope 49, Alma 14

Hope 30, Kalamazoo 7

Trine 45, Hope 28

Hope 28, Albion 20

NORTH PARK (1-9 overall)

2012 TEAM STATISTICS

HOPE NORTH PARK

28.1 Points Per game 15.3

28.3 Opponents Pts. Per Game 38.4

122.9 Yds Rushing Per Game 194.9

237.2 Yards Passing Per Game 77.8

360.1 Total Offense Per Game 272.7

211.0 Opponent's Rushing Per Game 206.5

217.6 Opponent's Passing Per Game 218.5

428.6 Total Defense Per Game 425.0

17/30 Turnovers/Takeaways 25/11