The Hope College football team is projected to contend for a third consecutive MIAA title this fall.

The Flying Dutchmen topped the 2022 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 10 points and three first-place votes.

Hope finished one point ahead of second-place Albion College and two points of third-place Trine University in the seven-team poll. Olivet College finished fourth in the poll with 21 points and was followed by Adrian College (26), Alma College (31) and Kalamazoo College (36).

Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Albion and Trine each received two first-place votes. The Flying Dutchmen were MIAA co-champs with Albion in 2021

Hope kicks off the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept, 3, at 1 p.m. against Aurora University (Ill.) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. The Flying Dutchmen's MIAA opener is Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m. against Adrian at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

Led by head coach Peter Stuursma, Hope returns seven all-league performers this season, including three first-team selections: senior defensive back Brady Howe, junior wide receiver Terrell Harris, and junior offensive tackle Luke Marsh.

Howe (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian HS) is a D3football.com all-region honoree who led the Flying Dutchmen with 71 tackles in 10 games last season. The special education major also finished seventh in the MIAA in tackles.

Harris (Whitehall, Michigan / Whitehall) totaled career-highs with a team-leading 610 receiving yards, 52 receptions, and five touchdowns last season. The education major recorded 361 receiving yards, 33 receptions and two touchdowns during MIAA games. 

Marsh (Montague, Michigan / Montague) started all 10 games in 2021, his first season with the Flying Dutchmen. The special education major helped power the MIAA's leader in total offense at 446.8 yards per game and scoring offense in league games at 33.2.

Four second-team honorees are back for the Flying Dutchmen as well: senior H-back Lou Baechler, junior offensive guard Dylan Clem, senior wide receiver TJ McKenzie Jr., and senior running back Daniel Romano.