The Hope College football team will be seeking its sixth consecutive victory Saturday (Oct. 27) when the Flying Dutchmen (5-1) host the Bulldogs (1-6) of Adrian College.
Kickoff at Holland Municipal Stadium for "Take a Kid to the Game Day" will be 1 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).
The Hope/Adrian started in 1938. Hope has a 41-17-1 advantage in the series, including a 33-6 victory in 2000.
The teams have played one common opponent this season. The Flying Dutch defeated Wisconsin-Lutheran 69-10 while the Bulldogs lost to the Wisconsin team 33-29.
"Adrian's record does not reflect their quality of play," said Hope coach Dean Kreps. "They were leading Albion in the third quarter last Saturday and we can't afford to take them lightly. They are always ready to play us hard."
Hope junior Nick Conrad of Wyoming (Wyoming Park HS) has been chosen the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week. Against Alma last Saturday, he returned a recovered fumble 54 yards for a touchdown. He had eight tackles, four of them solos, and was credited with three pass breakups. He is the third Hope defensive player to be honored by the MIAA this season, joining Josh Baumbach and Jason Misner. Hope has also had three offensive players honored by the MIAA -- Phil Butler, Mike Gle and Brian Adloff.
Hope's defense against the pass has been outstanding this season. The team has a pass defense efficiency rating of 92.7 (100.0 is considered "average"). The Dutchmen have allowed only four touchdown passes through six games. Hope leads the MIAA in quarterback sacks with 25.
Two of the MIAA's top rushers will be on the field today. Hope tailback John Sloothaak leads the MIAA with 613 yards on 132 carries, an average of 102.2 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry.
Adrian has two outstanding running backs. Junior Jason Desotell ranks third in the conference with 532 yards on 110 carries, average of 76.6 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. He rushed a school-record 255 yards, averaging 6.9 yards on 37 carries against Wisconsin-Lutheran. Junior fullback Kevin Bostelman rushed for 113 yards on 13 carries against Albion last Saturday.
Senior receiver Brian Adloff of East Grand Rapids (East Grand HS) has caught 40-or-more passes in four consecutive seasons. He had eight catches against Alma last Saturday to raise his season total to 40 receptions for 571 yards and four touchdowns. His career-record totals are now 179 catches for 2,229 yards.
This will be the first of consecutive home games for the Flying Dutchmen who will host the Olivet Comets for Parents Day on Saturday, Nov. 3.