Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The Hope College football team dropped its season opener at Monmouth (Illinois) College 30-20 on Saturday.
Three different players scored touchdowns for the Flying Dutchmen, but they could not overcome seven turnovers, including one fourth-quarter interception returned 59 yards for a touchdown.
Monmouth spoiled the return of Hope head coach Dean Kreps, a former captain and four-year player for the Scots.
The Flying Dutchmen outgained Monmouth 351 yards to 327. They were intercepted six times and fumbled once.
Senior receiver Taylor Brynaert of Washington, Michigan (Romeo HS), posted game-highs with nine catches for 88 yards. He hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Robert Kish of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS), for the game's final points with 4 minutes, 19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Junior Matt Kroll of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), hauled in a 11-yard scoring strike from starting quarterback Nate Sneed of Leland, Michigan (Glen Lake HS), 11 seconds before halftime to cut Monmouth's lead to 20-14.
Senior running back Brandon Zervas of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS), opened the game's scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter. He capped a 91-yard, 10-play drive.
Senior linebacker Cody Lindemulder of Milliken, Michigan (Lake Odessa HS), recorded a game-high 12 tackles.