The Hope College football team met the challenge of a Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference opponent.

The Flying Dutchmen marched to a 57-28 win at Concordia Chicago on Saturday behind a nation-leading 518 yards rushing in the MIAA-NACC Challenge Series. 

Hope's highest-point total in nine years also handed Peter Stuursma his first victory as head coach of the Flying Dutchmen.

Hope came within 11 yards of matching the 1971's team school-record effort of 529 yards in a 64-0 win against Grand Valley State University.

The offensive line of left tackle Tyler Kirchoff of Whitmore Lake, Michigan (Gabriel Richard HS), left guard Jake VanderVeen of Alto, Michigan (Caledonia), center Michael Stephan of Belding, Michigan (Belding), right guard Justin Fairfield of North Muskegon, Michigan (North Muskegon) and left tackle Matt Reitsma of Lowell, Michigan (Lowell) paved the way to easily surpass the previous two games' total of 162 yards rushing.

No NCAA Division III team had rushed for more yards in a game than Hope through Week 3 of the regular season.

"We imposed our will," Stuursma said. "We knew going into this weekend we needed to get a win because, we needed a win, and we needed to get a win going into the bye week. To do it in that fashion, having that type of offensive explosion, feels really good."

Three different Hope ballcarriers reached the 150-yard mark apiece: a rare feat.

Junior Brandan Campbell of Otsego, Michigan (Otsego HS) ran for a collegiate-high 185 yards and touchdowns of 41, 1 and 3 yards on 27 carries.

Junior Mike Miklusicak of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland) rushed for a collegiate-high 178 yards and touchdowns of 38 and 7 yards on 19 carries.

Freshman quarterback Bruce Schroeder of Appleton, Wisconsin (North) accumulated 156 yards and touchdowns of 17, 11 and 3 yards on 21 carries. He is pictured.

The Flying Dutchmen attempted only eight passes during their 76 offensive plays.

Hope finished with 553 yards of total offense to Concordia's 451. The Flying Dutchmen were 7-of-7 in the red zone.

Hope eclipsed the 50-point mark in a 2007 win against Kalamazoo of 57-7.

Defensively, the Flying Dutchmen contributed with an interception from Jacob Pardonnet to set up one touchdown and by limiting Concordia (1-1) to just 2-of-4 in the red zone.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 1 with a Youth Day game against Olivet at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m.