Jared Ropp

A fourth-down stop set up a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the Hope College football team in a 25-22 win at Lakeland (Wisconsin) on Saturday.

The Flying Dutchmen improved to 2-1 overall by winning their game in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Challenge.

Junior quarterback Robert Kish of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS), tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Taylor Brynaert of Washington, Michigan (Romeo HS), with 2 minutes, 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter that gave Hope a 25-20 lead.

The 5-play, 60-yard drive covered only 1:18. It was set up when senior defensive end Alex Witek of Whitehall, Michigan (Whitehall HS), stopped Lakeland quarterback A.J. Veloz on fourth-and-one on the Hope 40-yard line.

It was Brynaert's second touchdown catch of the game. He hauled in a 9-yard score in the first quarter.

Brynaert finished with a team-high 120 yards receiving on 10 receptions.

Senior defensive back Kirby Crook of Beech Grove, Indiana (Beech Grove HS), intercepted Veloz at the Hope 2-yard line on Lakeland's next possession after Brynaert's second touchdown. 

Kish also connected with junior fullback Jared Ropp of Kalamazoo, Michigan (Mattawan HS), on an 8-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Kish completed 20-of-44 passes for 250 yards. He was intercepted twice.

Senior kicker Aaron Mick of Clinton Township, Michigan (Parkway Christian HS), kicked field goals of 31 and 27 yards for the Flying Dutch.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, October 4, when the Flying Dutchmen kick off MIAA play at Albion.