Football Debuts in AFCA Preseason Poll at 19th

The Hope College football team debuted in the American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Preseason Poll at 19th.

The Flying Dutch totaled 351 points in the AFCA poll, the most among four MIAA teams that received votes.

Hope also finished 19th in the D3football.com preseason rankings.

Led by head coach Peter Stuursma, the Flying Dutch kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Hope's home opener is Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. The game is part of the annual Orange and Blue Weekend on campus. Tickets are on sale through the Hope College Ticket Office.

In 2025, the Flying Dutch ended with a 9-2 record, competed in the NCAA Division III Championships in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, and finished nationally ranked.

North Central College (Illinois), the 2025 national runner-up, topped this season's AFCA poll with 1,322 points and 50 of 53 possible first-place votes.

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