The Hope College football team pitched the first shutout in five years with a 34-0 nonleague win at Rockford, Illinois on Saturday.

The Flying Dutchmen improved to 2-3 overall by allowing only 261 yards of total offense and 13 first downs.

Hope also scored its first defensive touchdown of the season on a 95-yard interception return in the fourth quarter by junior defensive back Kirk Gibson of Scotts, Michigan (Climax-Scotts HS).

The Flying Dutchmen last held an opponent scoreless on October 2, 2010 in a 38-0 home win against Alma.

Hope accumulated 475 yards of total offense: 255 through the air and 220 on the ground.

Senior quarterback Rob Kish of Grosse Pointe, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS), scored the Flying Dutchmen's first touchdown on a 8-yard run in the first quarter to push the Flying Dutchmen's lead to 10-0. He also passed for 244 yards against Rockford (2-3).

Sophomore Mike Miklusicak of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), rushed for a career-high 128 yards on 12 carries in his first collegiate start. He recorded a 39-yard touchdown run during the third quarter.

Junior Zac Boersema of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), reached the end zone on a 4-yard run during the second quarter.

Sophomore kicker Darren Ford of Howell, Michigan (Howell HS), kicked field goals of 24 and 33 yards along with all four point-after attempts.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Olivet. Kickoff is 1 p.m.