The Flying Dutchmen will be attempting to avoid
looking ahead as they seek to remain undefeated in the MIAA
football standings by hosting Adrian Saturday (Oct. 23).
Kickoff for the traditional Homecoming game at Holland
Municipal Stadium will be 2 p.m.
The game will be broadcast by WHTC-AM (1450) and WFUR-FM
(102.9). It can also be heard on the internet ( www.hope.edu).
Hope and Albion are the only remaining unbeaten MIAA
football teams. The defending champion Britons stand 3-0 in
conference play while the Flying Dutchmen are half-a-game behind
at 2-0. Hope travels to Albion on Saturday, Oct. 30.
"We cannot afford for a minute to look past Adrian,"
cautions coach Dean Kreps. "Adrian always comes prepared to play
us hard."
Two years ago Adrian spoiled Hope's homecoming defeating the
Dutchmen 26-19. That defeat ultimately forced Hope to share
the conference championship with the Bulldogs.
The Hope-Adrian rivalry started in 1938. Hope holds a 39-
17-1 advantage, including a 17-7 victory last fall at Adrian's
Homecoming.
While unbeaten in league play, the Flying Dutchmen (2-3)
will be seeking to reach the .500 mark for the first time this
season. Adrian stands 2-4 and is coming off a 35-28 victory
over Olivet.
The team's only common opponent has been Defiance - Hope
defeated the Yellow Jackets 40-7 while Adrian lost 35-28.
Quarterback J.D. Graves is the MIAA offensive player of the
week for the second consecutive week. Last Saturday against Alma
he accounted for 420 yards of total offense. He scored two
touchdowns while rushing for 94 yards on 14 carries and threw
three touchdown passes while completing 12-of-17 attempts for 326
yards. In league games he has a phenomenal 226.07 NCAA pass
efficiency rating (100.00 is considered "average").