The Hope College football team plays on the road for the first time in the 2015 season with Saturday's nonleague game at Elmhurst, Illinois. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Central.
The Flying Dutchmen had a 2-3 record as the visitor during the 2014 season.
This is the first time Hope and Elmhurst have met on the football field. The game is part of a scheduling agreement between the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin.
The Flying Dutchmen are looking to even their record after suffering a 31-19 loss in their season opener last week to Monmouth, Illinois. Click here for a recap of the Hope-Monmouth game. Elmhurst is 1-0 after defeating Loras, Iowa 31-17 last week at home. Click here for a recap of Elmhurst-Loras game.
Click here for Hope season statistics.
Click here for Elmhurst season statistics.
Dean Kreps is in his 21st season as Hope's head coach. He owns a career record of 107-90. Ron Planz is in his second season with the Blue Jays. He has a career record of 6-5.
Photo by Robert Kurtycz
Sophomore Chris Leigh of Lake Orion, Michigan (Lake Orion HS), was named Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week on Tuesday. He earned the honor after setting a school record with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Monmouth. He passed the previous mark of 90 set by Andy Snyder in 2004 vs. Tri-State. Leigh also started at running back and rushed for 94 yards on 14 carries. It was his first career start sat Hope since transferring from Lehigh.
Senior quarterback Rob Kish of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS), will make his 10th start for the Flying Dutchmen today. He owns a 5-5 record as a starter since taking over in Week 2 of the 2014 season. Kish has passed for 2,220 yards in 13 career games while throwing 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Senior punter Dean DeVries of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS), is on track to become Hope's all-time leader in punting average. He has averaged 40.7 yards per punt so far in his career. Henry Loudermilk has held the record of 38.9 since 1979. DeVries already holds the single-season punting average record at Hope.
Defensive back Andy Lucas of McBain, Michigan (McBain HS), and linebacker Aaron O'Meara of Wyandotte, Michigan (Theodore Roosevelt HS), both are coming off double-digit tackle performances against Monmouth. Lucas led the Flying Dutch with a career-high 12 tackles, including nine solos. He also recorded 1½ tackles for loss and one pass breakup. O'Meara had a career-high 11 total tackles, with nine being unassisted.
Defensive end Stephen Gerger of Laingsburg, Michigan (Laingsburg HS), has 18 ½ sacks during his career. He collected one against Monmouth. During the 2014 season, Gerger tied for second in the MIAA with 11 sacks.
Celebrate Hometown Week with Hope College next week with four sporting events on campus. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the volleyball team hosts Trine at 6:30 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse DeYoung Volleyball Gymnasium, while at 7 p.m., the men's soccer team faces Alma at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. On Saturday, Hometown Week concludes with a noon women's soccer match against Olivet at Van Andel Stadium and a 1 p.m. football game against Concordia, Wisconsin at Smith Stadium.
Support youth in need during Hometown Week by donating used sporting equipment still in good condition at Hope home soccer, football and volleyball events next week. Hope College will accept donations for the First Steps in Sports organization and donate them to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club. Hope football player Ethan Zimmerman has helped coordinate this drive.
The Flying Dutchmen's home game next Saturday will be part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association-Northen Athletics Collegiate Conference Challenge Series. Kickoff is 1 p.m. It also is one of Hope's four Youth Days this fall and will feature a free team poster giveaway.
Hope was ranked fifth in the 2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Flying Dutchmen totaled 23 points for their spot in the voting by the league's coaches, who could not vote for their teams.
