Hope College

Hustling past a defender, Hope College wide receiver Trevor Griffiths sprinted untouched down the middle of the field, caught Alex Thole's long pass in stride, and ran 76 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.

Only more Flying Dutch points followed as ninth-ranked and unbeaten Hope rolled to a 38-3 win over Alma College on Saturday. The visiting Flying Dutch (7-0, 4-0 MIAA) dominated on defense and offense, holding the Scots to a season-low in points and outgaining them, 498-205. 

Propelled by Griffiths' longest play from scrimmage, the first play after Alma's Jace Heck kicked a career-long 47-yard field goal with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter, Hope tacked on three more touchdowns and a season-high two field goals. The resounding victory kept the Flying Dutch tied atop the MIAA standings with Calvin University and Trine University.

Exceptional playcalling paid dividends, head coach Peter Stuursma said. "Trevor blew right by his guy. It was a really good call from [offensive coordinator Andrew] Hawken. He saw it on the previous screen and came right back to it the very first play after they scored. It was a huge touchdown," Stuursma said.

When the defense forced an Alma three-and-out on the next possession and Connor Knapp (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) returned the punt 23 yards to the Scots' 22-yard line, Hope quickly capitalized. On the first play, Thole (Schoolcraft, Michigan / Schoolcraft), hit wide receiver Kaden DeHorn (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) over the middle at the goal line for a 22-yard touchdown and a 13-3 lead.

Instead of a game-tightening 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, an Alma holding penalty negated the score. The Scots drove 82 yards in 13 plays, but Hope stood firm in the red zone. Heck pushed a 19-yard field goal attempt wide right.

Not resting, the Flying Dutch marched 69 yards in 10 plays before taking a 16-3 halftime lead on a 28-yard field goal from freshman Avery Umphrey (Cedar Springs, Michigan / Cedar Springs).

Second-half scoring started with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Thole to freshman H-back Will DeYoung (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) at the 6:21 mark of the third quarter to cap a 70-yard, seven-play drive..

After junior Noah Dunckel (Williamston, Michigan / Williamston) blocked an Alma punt, Hope took over at the Scots' 22-yard line. Four plays later, running back Brody Schuiteman (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison) plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter. Schuiteman now has 14 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for the sixth most in a Hope single season. He entered the game second in NCAA Division III in rushing touchdowns.

Lastly, Hope scored in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard touchdown from junior running back AJ Martel (Mason, Michigan / Mason) and a 32-yard Umphrey field goal.

Martel rushed for a game-high 96 yards on 11 carries. Schuiteman finished 66 rushing yards on 11 carries. The Flying Dutch ran for 212 yards as a team.

Airing it out led to Hope's season-high in passing yards. Thole completed 17-of-23 passes for 286 yards and a season-best three touchdowns. DeHorn caught a game-high five passes for 115 yards. Griffiths (Stevensville, Michigan / Lakeshore) made three receptions for a season-best 105 yards.

Lots of frustration left the Flying Dutch after a challenging time during a 24-22 victory against Adrian College in their last game on Oct. 17. "We were 0-and-7 on third down last week; our offense was frustrated," Stuursma said. "Today's passing attack gives Alex and us a lot of confidence."

On the other side of the ball, sophomore linebacker Nolan Vis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) recorded a season-high 12 tackles, including seven solo.

Safety Trenten Bolhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland West) contributed a season-best eight tackles.

Eliminating opposing big plays has been critical to the nation's 14th-ranked total defense, Stuursma said of the unit led by defensive coordinator Alex Smith. "We're keeping the ball in front of us and playing fast. They had 205 yards of offense, 87 yards in passing. That's really good," Stuursma said.

Saturday's stifling effort forced nine Alma punts and the Scots averaging 3.3 yards per play.