By Greg Chandler

The Hope College football team shook off a shaky start Saturday afternoon, using a balanced offensive attack to defeat the University of Northwestern (Minnesota) 52-10 in the annual Purple Community Day game to benefit the Van Andel Institute at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

It was the final nonconference tuneup for the Flying Dutchmen, now 3-1 on the season, before they begin Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Saturday at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against Kalamazoo College in the annual Wooden Shoe rivalry. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

"We were sloppy. We need to make some improvements for sure because we head into league play and those things have to be taken care of," head coach Peter Stuursma said after the game. "We have a common theme that we have yet to put together four quarters. Today, I thought we showed flashes. That's why you play, why you practice."

Northwestern (0-4) took advantage of a fumble on Hope's first offensive play to jump out to a quick 7-0 lead 3 minutes, 28 seconds into the game. But the lead didn't last long.

Junior wide receiver Carter Nofziger of Pandora, Ohio (Pandora Gilboa HS), pictured left, returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, tying the school record for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown. Andy Snyder returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against Tri-State (now Trine) University in 2004. Junior placekicker Dylan Hillger of Holly, Michigan (Lake Fenton HS) kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.

Watch interview with Carter Nofziger

Later in the first quarter, Hope drove 70 yards in eight plays to take the lead for good. Junior quarterback Chase Brown of Comstock Park, Michigan (Comstock Park HS) connected with sophomore wide receiver Terrell Harris of Whitehall, Michigan (Whitehall HS), and Harris put a move on a Northwestern defender to take it into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, but Hope led 13-7.

Hope added to its lead in the second quarter on a 14-yard touchdown run by junior running back Daniel Romano of Royal Oak, Michigan (Shrine Catholic HS).

Northwestern threatened on its next possession, but the Hope defense came up with a stop as senior cornerback Trevor Sutton of Bay City, Michigan (All Saints HS) intercepted his second pass of the season.

That led to a quick-strike 75-yard, four-play drive, with the key play being a 51-yard pass from Brown to junior wide receiver Ian Rampersad of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Northern HS). Brown capped the drive with a pass in the flat to Harris, who took it in from four yards out for his second touchdown of the day, extending the Hope lead to 26-7.

Northwestern got a field goal on the final play of the first half to cut the Hope lead to 26-10.

The Flying Dutchmen took advantage of a short punt for their next score in the third quarter, as junior running back Kenyea Houston of Chicago, Illinois (Westinghouse Prep) found the end zone on an 18-yard run.

In the fourth quarter, Hillger booted a 27-yard field goal, his first career field goal. Sophomore running back Elijah Smith of Hastings, Michigan (Hastings HS) scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. After a safety and free kick, junior running back Brandon Anderson of Cassopolis, Michigan (Ross Beaty HS) closed out the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown run.

The Flying Dutchmen piled up 532 yards of total offense in the game, including 301 rushing yards in 45 attempts and 231 yards through the air. Romano led the ground game with 102 yards on 14 carries, while Houston added 66 yards on 12 carries.

Brown completed 15-of-19 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and was not sacked in the game. Rampersad led the receivers with four catches for 85 yards, while Harris also had four catches for 28 yards and both receiving TDs.

The Hope defense limited Northwestern to 195 yards total offense, including just 65 yards on the ground. Senior safety Brandon Showers of Mason, Michigan (Mason HS), pictured right, had nine tackles to lead the defense, while senior defensive end Drew Althouse of Ludington, Michigan (Ludington HS) had two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.

During the Purple Community game, Hope wore purple jerseys in memory of or in honor of loved ones affected by cancer and neurological diseases. All proceeds from the game will go to Van Andel Institute's cancer and neurodegenerative disease research and science education efforts, as well as help to underwrite a summer internship for a Hope student at the institute.

List of purple jersey recipients

Watch Hope Football's Purple Community Video