No. 19-Ranked Football Tops MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll as Unanimous Favorite

The 19th-ranked Hope College football team leads the 2026 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving all seven possible first-place votes and finishing with seven points.

Coaches could not vote for their team in the eight-team poll. The Flying Dutch finished ahead of Alma College (15 points), Adrian College (17 points and 1 first-place vote), Calvin University (28), Trine University (29), Albion College (40), Kalamazoo College (42), and The University of Olivet (48).

Led by head coach Peter Stuursma '93, Hope returns five All-MIAA selections, including two first-team honorees: senior tight end/H-back Seth Luhmann of Rochester, Michigan (Stoney Creek) and senior defensive back Austin Harvey of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford).

The Flying Dutch also have two returning All-MIAA Second Team recipients: senior quarterback Alex Thole of Schoolcraft, Michigan (Schoolcraft) and senior receiver Jonny Rohen-Blanton of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford).

Hope kicks off the season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. at Denison University (Ohio).

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Players Mentioned

#13 Austin Harvey: CB; 5' 10"; Senior; Business

#40 Seth Luhmann: TE/H; 5' 11"; Senior; Exercise Science and Religion

#6 Jonny Rohen-Blanton: WR; 5' 9"; Senior; Business

#4 Alex Thole: QB; 5' 10"; Senior; Exercise Science

Players Mentioned

#13 Austin Harvey
: 5' 10"; Senior; Business
: CB

#40 Seth Luhmann
: 5' 11"; Senior; Exercise Science and Religion
: TE/H

#6 Jonny Rohen-Blanton
: 5' 9"; Senior; Business
: WR

#4 Alex Thole
: 5' 10"; Senior; Exercise Science
: QB