A halfback pass gave the Hope College its first touchdown against Rockford (Illinois) on Saturday. The Flying Dutchmen kept on scoring, finishing with a season-high in yards and points as they cruised to a 38-12 nonleague win at Smith Stadium.

Hope (3-2 overall) racked up 549 yards of total offense: 266 passing and 283 rushing. it was the first time the Flying Dutchmen had faced their opponent from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

Senior Reggie Duncan of Williamston, Michigan (Williamston HS), opened the scoring by connecting with junior Matt Kroll of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), on a 50-yard halfback pass for a touchdown 2 minutes, 1 second into the game.

Kroll recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season with a game-high 108 yards on five catches. Duncan rushed for a game-high 84 yards on 11 carries.

Hope jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter against Rockford (1-4).

Junior Kody Alber of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Northview HS), hauled in an 8-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Rob Kish of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS), with 4:51 remaining in first quarter.

Senior Aaron Mick of Clinton Township, Michigan (Parkway Christian HS), kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the first quarter.

Hope tacked on three second-half touchdowns.

Sophomore Zac Boersema of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter.

Sophomore Damon Thomas of Fenton, Michigan (Fenton HS), raced around right end for a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Mike Miklusciak of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), closed the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run. It was his first touchdown with the Flying Dutchmen.

The Hope defense made four sacks and intercepted two passes. Senior Stephen Gerger of Laingsburg, Michigan (Laingsburg HS), had 2 ½ sacks.

Senior Cody Lindemulder of Mulliken, Michigan (Lakewood HS), topped the Flying Dutch with 8 ½ tackles. He and senior Kirby Crook of Beech Grove, Indiana (Beech Grove HS), each intercepted a pass.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Flying Dutchmen host Olivet for homecoming. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Smith Stadium.

Photo by Tom Renner