With a mix of key returners and promising new faces, the nationally-ranked Hope College football team is poised for another thrilling season.

The Flying Dutch — ranked 19th in both the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com preseason polls for NCAA Division III — aim to reclaim an MIAA championship and continue their unprecedented run of NCAA playoff appearances. 

Led by 10th-year head coach Peter Stuursma, Hope also enters the 2026 season as the unanimous preseason favorite in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

OFFENSE

The Flying Dutch return several key standouts from an offense that ranked fourth in total offense (505.9 yards per game) and 17th in scoring (42.8) under the direction of offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken.

Senior quarterback Alex Thole (Schoolcraft, Michigan / Schoolcraft) is back as the signal caller after completing 214-of-303 passes for 2,825 yards and 21 touchdowns during his 2025 debut. The 2,825 passing yards ranks third all-time in Hope history.

Head coach Peter Stuursma told the Holland Sentinel that Thole "is a very high IQ football player" who can build on a successful first season in 2025.

"When the game slows down for a quarterback, it is fun to watch - and the game is slowing down for him," Stuursma said. "He started 11 games for us last year. In three years prior, he didn't play in two full games. So that is huge from an experience standpoint. He is really good at his craft. He understands the system and we have a pretty veteran group. So he knows what he is going to get, and they know they are going to get with them," Stuursma said. "He has such a calm demeanor. He just doesn't get rattled. If he makes a mistake, he already knows exactly what should have been done differently."

Thole returns six of his top seven receivers from last season. Senior Jonny Rohen-Blanton (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) led the Orange and Blue last season in receiving yards (885) and receptions (65). Seniors Kaden DeHorn (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) and Trevor Griffiths (Stevensville, Michigan / Lakeshore) posted 24 and 23 receptions, respectively, last season.

Three running backs who ran for more than 500 yards bolster the backfield: junior AJ Martel (Mason, Michigan / Mason), sophomore Trey Goike (White Lake, Michigan / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) and junior Kal Motter (Lawton, Michigan / Lawton). Martel and Motter also recorded double-digit receptions.

Up front, the Flying Dutch are counting on returning senior guards Timothy Clay (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center) and Kemper Millis (Norton Shores, Michigan / Norton) and senior tight end/H-back Seth Luhmann (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek). Hope will start two new tackles after Brett  Showers graduated and Jeremyah  Libema is sidelined for the season because of an injury.

DEFENSE

Alex Smith takes over at defensive coordinator after a successful high school coaching career, including a two-year stint at East Kentwood High School that featured a trip to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state semifinals. As a student-athlete, Smith played linebacker at defensive end at Central Michigan University.

Smith takes over a defense that ranked among the national leaders in several categories last season, including seventh in rushing defense at 62.7 yards per game and 15th in scoring defense at 14.5 points per game. The unit produced All-Americans in defensive tackle Caleb  Paarlberg and defensive end Liam  Danitz. Danitz is playing at the University of Wisconsin this season as a grad transfer.

"A highly successful defensive mind, Alex is a high-energy guy who loves his players and will be an incredible asset to our program, not only defensively, but also with recruiting through his vast connections with high school football," Stuursma said when Smith's hire was announced in February. "His defensive presentation and instant connection with our player committee were truly amazing to observe. Alex will have our guys well prepared through his teaching skills and work ethic."

Three returning defensive linemen all recorded double-digit tackles in 2025: junior Jake Punches (Farwell, Michigan / Clare), senior Tate Bezeau (Saline, Michigan / Saline) and senior Tyler Radley (Westland, Michigan / John Glenn). Punches was 10th last season with 26 tackles.

Sophomore Nolan Vis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) is the top returning tackler in the linebacking corps after totaling 22 tackles in his first season.

Senior defensive back Austin Harvey (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) and senior safety Tyler Mann (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) are key returners in the secondary. Harvey, a defensive back and returning All-MIAA honoree, is the top returning tackler after ranking sixth on the team with 37. Mann, a safety, tied for seventh last season with 31 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Noah Dunckel returns to anchor Hope's special teams unit. The junior averaged 35.64 yards per punt last season, placing 10 of 33 attempts inside the 10-yard line.

Sophomore Cooper Clark (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) will handle kickoff duties after averaging 61.7 yards over 27 attempts in 2025. 

Freshman Gavin Rabideau of Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Catholic) will start at placekicker for PATs and field goals.

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Peter Stuursma, 10th season
Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks: Andrew Hawken
Defensive coordinator/Linebackers Alex Smith
Offensive Line Coach/Recruiting coordinator: Hunter Thompson
Cornerbacks/Special teams coordinator: Jinks Arnold
Wide receiver: Matt Bird
Running backs: Jim Caserta
Tight ends/H-backs: Curt Copeland
Safeties: KJ Landis
Defensive line: Jari Brown, Isaiah Hicks
Nickels/Sams; Jeremy Gasper

SCHEDULE

Hope opens the season with three non-league games, beginning Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. at Denison University in the season opener. The two have played four times, with Hope winning the last meeting, 17-14, in 1989 when Ray Smith was head coach.

The Flying Dutch follow on Saturday, Sept. 12, with the home opener against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point that is part of the second annual Orange and Blue Weekend on campus. It is the teams' first all-time meeting.

Hope's final non-league game is on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Hanover College, the preseason favorite in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

The Flying Dutch kick off pursuit of an MIAA title on Saturday, Sept. 26, at home against Albion College. It is Poster Day.

Hope's remaining home league opponents are Adrian College on Saturday, Oct. 17, for One Big Weekend/Homecoming, Kalamazoo College on Saturday, Oct. 31, during an Orange Out, and Saturday, Nov. 14, against Trine University on Senior Day.

The Flying Dutch's road games feature trips to The University of Olivet on Saturday, Oct. 3, Alma College on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Calvin University on Saturday, Nov. 7.