The Rivalry Adds Exciting New Chapter on the Football Field

It's the Hope College Flying Dutchmen playing the Calvin University Knights on artificial turf on a gray November afternoon in front of a standing-room-only football crowd for the first time.

It's Luke Marsh, a powerful fifth-year offensive tackle choosing to battle in the trenches for one more season at Hope while also beginning his first full-time job as a special education teacher.

It's Tyler Amos, a speedy senior running back starting his first season with the Flying Dutchmen, unfamiliar with but quickly realizing the schools' competitive history, running into the end zone for a historic first touchdown.

Hope-Calvin Football's addition to The Rivalry commands our attention.

It's an MIAA championship hanging in the balance on the outcome like so many other sports in The Rivalry.

This time, it's the Flying Dutchmen celebrating after a 38-7 victory on Saturday at Grand Rapids Christian High School that propelled the Flying Dutchmen to at least a share of a regular-season title as well as clinching the league's NCAA Division III playoff berth for the sixth time in program history.

"It was definitely an honor to finally have a football game here against Calvin," Amos said. "This is my first season [at Hope]. I wasn't familiar with The Rivalry, but I see that it's very special."

Hope-Calvin Football is 104 years of waiting. In 1920, Hope and Calvin men's basketball teams squared off for the first time on the court. In 2024, it was the football teams' turn after the Knights started their football program — 122 years after the Flying Dutchmen did.

"We have seen The Rivalry across other sports and it means so much to bring it to football," senior linebacker Cole Luhmann said, "We went down in history today. It means a lot. This is what November football is all about. We flew around like we always do, the basic things that get the job done."

As legendary NFL broadcaster John Facenda once said, football "is power and precision. It's hours of study and preparation." It's also dedication and sacrifice for mere minutes of executing plays and overcoming mistakes amid an atmosphere that's unique when you're the one taking center stage.

Hope-Calvin Football is managing emotions and channeling inner drives in productive ways. It's learning and making up for costly mistakes. Senior receiver Grant Holtzer contributed 142 yards receiving on four catches after his taunting penalty wiped out his 76-yard touchdown reception on Hope's second play from scrimmage. Both teams were flagged five times.

"It kind of just happened in the heat of the moment. It wasn't something I was planning on doing or anything," Holtzer said. "I think it's a really special rivalry, and I've been to all the basketball games – women's and men's – and it's always great energy. It was really cool to actually have that energy behind us for once."

It's two competitive and determined head coaches, one steeped in the rich history of the Rivalry and one completely new to it.

Peter Stuursma chose to play football for the Flying Dutchmen, a decision that led to his successful return to his alma mater as head coach in 2017. Stuursma now has guided Hope to three MIAA titles and two NCAA postseason appearances.

"For a long time, this rivalry has been going on," Stuursma said. "My grandfather [Calvin grad Herman "Fuzz" Van Faasen] from 1937-40 played against Hope in basketball, and so obviously, I've known a lot about this and watching our other sports go through this.

"I opened my big mouth when I was hired at Hope College at halftime of a basketball game and said the only thing that could make this rivalry better is if they have football. Well, they have football now, so I guess we've got to back that up, and obviously, we did today. Very, very excited about that, but honored to be part of it."

Trent Figg joined the Knights after serving on the coaching staff at The University of Oregon and previous stops as an assistant coach and student-athlete at the Division II level. He's laid the foundation for Calvin's future in football.

"We all got a taste of exactly what this is. We've seen it in basketball; we've seen it in volleyball and all the other sports. Now it's here; it's real for Calvin football, for Hope football," Figg said. "It'll continue to build, for sure, with our guys."

It's walking through a post-game handshake line, displaying good sportsmanship. It's chatting with former high school teammates and competitors, sharing hugs and taking pictures. It's wanting to win but not losing sight of the bigger picture.

On Saturday, Hope-Calvin Football opened its first chapter in The Rivalry, one of the greatest in the land.

Gray November afternoons like Saturday are just the beginning of some incredible memories.

Gallery: (11-9-2024) Football vs. Calvin

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Players Mentioned

#12 Grant Holtzer: WR; 6' 6"; Fifth Year; Business

#50 Cole Luhmann: LB; 6' 0"; Senior; Businesss

#73 Luke Marsh: OL; 6' 6"; Fifth Year; Special Education

#3 Tyler Amos: RB; 5' 9"; Senior; Exercise Science

Players Mentioned

#12 Grant Holtzer
: 6' 6"; Fifth Year; Business
: WR

#50 Cole Luhmann
: 6' 0"; Senior; Businesss
: LB

#73 Luke Marsh
: 6' 6"; Fifth Year; Special Education
: OL

#3 Tyler Amos
: 5' 9"; Senior; Exercise Science
: RB