Chase Brown looks down the field while scrambling.

Football 8/30/2022 11:00:00 AM Alan Babbitt

2022 Football Season Preview

Senior quarterback Chase Brown (13)

The Hope College football team is set to tackle the challenge the 2022 season has to offer.

Led by head coach Peter Stuursma and 15 returning starters, the Flying Dutchmen are aiming to build on their winning tradition that continued last season with an 8-2 overall record. It was Hope's fourth consecutive eight-win season — the longest such stretch in team history. The Flying Dutchmen also captured a share of a second league title in a row for the fifth time in team history.

2022 Schedule

The Flying Dutchmen start with two games at home at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium, facing Aurora University (Ill.) on Saturday, September 3, at 1 p.m., and Coe College (Iowa), on Saturday, September 10, at 1 p.m. The Coe game will feature the team poster giveaway.

Hope then travels to the University of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) for the MIAA's crossover with the Heartland Conference and the University of Northwestern (Minnesota) to round out non-league play.

The MIAA opener is Saturday, October 1, against Adrian College at 3 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Flying Dutchmen were the favorite in 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 ahead of third-place Trine University.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Peter Stuursma '93, seventh season (40-11, 28-4 MIAA)
Offensive Coordinator: Andrew Hawken
Defensive Coordinator: Jacob Pardonnet '18
Assistant Coaches: Hunter Thompson (Offensive Line), Jacob Studdard (Safeties), Matt Bird (Wide Receivers), Jim Caserta (Quarterbacks), Dave Gkekas (Cornerbacks), Dave Lidgard (Running Backs), Zach Telfor '18 (Defensive Line), Ted Manning (Defensive Line Assistant), Jake VanderVeen '18 (Offensive Line Assistant)

2022 Roster

The Flying Dutchmen kick off the season with a roster of 114 players, including 51 letterwinners and three returning All-MIAA first-teams selections: Brady Howe (safety), Terrell Harris (wide receiver) and Luke Marsh (offensive tackle). Hope brings back 10 starters on offense and six starters on defense.

Captains

Four captains will lead the Flying Dutchmen this season: Howe, a senior special education major, senior H-back Lou Baechler, a communication major, Marsh, a junior special education major, and junior offensive guard Dylan Clem, a junior civil engineering major.

By the Numbers

With 464.4 yards per game, Hope ranked 16th in NCAA Division III in total offense during the 2021 season.

The Flying Dutchmen rushed for more than 300 yards three times last season and at least 250 yards in six games.

By allowing only 14.4 points per game, Hope finished 20th in Division III in scoring defense last season.

The Flying Dutchmen won MIAA titles in consecutive seasons for the fifth time in 2021, joining previous Hope teams in 1978 and 1979, 1981 and 1982, 1986 and 1987, and 2006 and 2007.

Coach's Outlook

Head coach Peter Stuursma on preseason preparations …

"The first three days (of fall practice), I realized this team loves to compete. I love the way our guys compete. I love the way our guys love to practice. Camp is a grind, there is no question about it. I am just really proud of our guys for the way they have competed."

On the offense…

"We have to possess the ball. We have to have no turnovers. We have to eliminate the mistakes. We have to be sound from a personnel standpoint. The game of football is decided up front. As our offensive line goes, the line is going to take us there. Our running back stable is very deep. We have receivers who can make things happen and make us dynamic. The quarterback position is all about how you see the game and does it slow down for you. I think that has really proven true for Chase from a year's experience."

On the defense...

"Jacob came in on such short notice (as defensive coordinator). To do what he's done in that period of time is quite remarkable. Our staff has bought into his ideas and philosophy because it is very sound. Our players have bought into it, too. We have some multiple fronts we are able to play with our guys now. I love the way they're coming together."

On special teams …

"When you talk about special teams, you ask are your punter and kicker back. Yes. That's a great thing. Jacob has done a great job with our special teams. We've had more time this fall to really install and look at how we're doing things from a special teams standpoint. We think it's that important. We're going to have some wrinkles this year with Jacob being new. They've had a great fall camp. They're an equal part of this organization. It's about all phases of the game."

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Players Mentioned

#6 Terrell Harris: WR; 5' 10"; Junior

#6 Brady Howe: FS; 6' 1"; Senior

#38 Lou Baechler: TE/H; 5' 10"; Senior

#70 Dylan Clem: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#73 Luke Marsh: OL; 6' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#6 Terrell Harris
: 5' 10"; Junior
: WR

#6 Brady Howe
: 6' 1"; Senior
: FS

#38 Lou Baechler
: 5' 10"; Senior
: TE/H

#70 Dylan Clem
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#73 Luke Marsh
: 6' 5"; Junior
: OL