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Hope College

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#BeStrongBeTrue
Brody Schuiteman holds a football.
Pictured, Brody Schuiteman
13
Kalamazoo KZO 3-5 , 2-3
48
Winner Hope HPE 8-0 , 5-0
Kalamazoo KZO
3-5 , 2-3
13
Final
48
Hope HPE
8-0 , 5-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
KZO Kalamazoo 0 0 0 13 13
HPE Hope 7 13 14 14 48

Game Recap: Football | | Alan Babbitt

Ninth-Ranked Football Rushes Past Kalamazoo, Sets Up First-Place Showdown

Hope plays at Calvin next week in a battle of unbeatens

Running back Brody Schuiteman continued his meteoric rise up among Hope College football's all-time leaders as the ninth-ranked Flying Dutch soared to a 48-13 victory against visiting Kalamazoo College on Saturday.

Schuiteman gave the Orange and Blue three of their first four touchdowns, giving him 17 rushing TDs, just four behind Brandon Graham's 1996 single-season record. The freshman from Jenison, Michigan (Jenison) entered the game tied for first in NCAA Division III in rushing scores.

Improving 8-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA play, Hope set up a showdown at fellow unbeaten Calvin University on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. The game, which is expected to be a sellout, will be broadcast on WXSP TV and the Michigan Sports Radio network.

"This is what you sign up for," head coach Peter Stuursma said of The Rivalry's third football game. "We know what's at stake, and we know we have to play really, really well."

Hope's defense excelled against Kalamazoo, shutting out the Hornets (3-5, 2-3 MIAA) for the first three quarters. The Flying Dutch, led by sophomore linebacker Nolan Vis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian), allowed only four downs during the first half.

The stinginess let the Hope offense gain traction. After punting away their first drive, the Flying Dutch capitalized on their second possession by driving 69 yards in seven plays. Schuiteman powered in from 3 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 7 ½ minutes remaining in the first quarter.

On Kalamazoo's next possession, safety Tyson Mann (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) intercepted Brayden Ledin's deep pass at the Hope 24-yard line. Hope marched 76 yards before Schuiteman plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out.

A Kalamazoo punt and a 16-yard return from sophomore Connor Knapp (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) put the Flying Dutch near midfield. Ten plays later, senior H-back Seth Luhmann (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek) scored on a 1-yard run off right end for a 20-0 halftime lead.

Schuiteman, who rushed for 51 yards, added a 4-yard touchdown on Hope's second series after halftime. He moved into fourth place among Hope's single-season rushing touchdown leaders. Graham holds the record. Quarterback Mason Opple (2018) and running back Chance Strickland (2024) are tied for second with 18 apiece.

"I said on the headset after one of his touchdowns, he's hit two yards shy of the end zone and he ends up about four yards into the end zone," Stuursma said. "When you're 219 pounds and run behind your pads like that, that's kind of fun. To have a freshman make that big of an impact is pretty unique."

Hope rushed for a season-high 363 yards and finished with 617 yards of total offense.

Later in the half, the Flying Dutch tacked on a 79-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Alex Thole to wide receiver Trevor Griffiths (Stevensville, Michigan / Lakeshore), a 79-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jack Bullock (Washington, Michigan / Utica Academy), and an 11-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Easton Suidinski (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville).

Leydin, who passed for 237 yards, threw two touchdown passes for Kalamazoo after Griffiths scored.
 
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