Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The Hope College football team impressively won its MIAA opener on Saturday, winning 34-13 at two-time defending champion and 16th-ranked Alma College.
The Flying Dutchmen, who built a 24-0 halftime lead, are 4-0 for the first time since a 9-0 season in 1984.
The victory also was the 499th in program history.
Hope outgained Alma 608-307, including 347 rushing yards. It marked the fourth consecutive game rushed for more than 300 yards.
Senior quarterback Ben Wellman threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns (16 yards to senior receiver Grant Holtzer and 4 yards to H-back Seth Luhmann.
Senior running back Chance Strickland rushed for a game-high 179 yards on 28 carries, including a 2-yard plunge. Strickland entered the game tied for Division III lead with nine rushing touchdowns.
Senior running back Tyler Amos ran for 98 yards on eight carries, including a 34-yard score.
Senior Caden Balkon kicked field goals of 28 and 31 yards.
Hope limited Alma (2-2) to two third-quarter Carter St. John touchdown passes of 6 and 55 yards.