Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Junior Zac Boersema ran for a career-high 128 yards and three touchdowns for the Hope College football team in a 31-27 loss at unbeaten Olivet College on Saturday.
The running back from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), scored on runs of 86, 4 and 1 yards against the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's top rushing defense.
Olivet answered Boersema's 1-yard score with 3 minutes, 55 seconds remaining with two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute, 13 seconds.
The Comets (6-0, 3-0 MIAA) capitalized on a recovered onside kick with a 50-yard, game-winning drive that ended on Kyle Bryson's 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braden Black.
The loss dropped Hope to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play.
The Flying Dutchmen jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter on Boersema's 86-yard touchdown run and a 16-yard touchdown reception for junior receiver Kurtis Slenk of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) from senior quarterback Rob Kish of Grosse Pointe, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS).
Olivet scored two second-quarter touchdowns for a 14-13 halftime lead.
Boersema's 4-yard score 40 seconds into the fourth quarter capped a 61-yard drive that put the Flying Dutchmen ahead 20-14.
Hope recovered its free kick after giving up a safety and went 38 yards in seven plays for Boersema's 1-yard touchdown with 3:55 remaining in fourth quarter.
Junior defensive back Kirk Gibson of Scotts, Michigan (Climax-Scotts HS), led the Flying Dutchmen with 11 tackles.
Sophomore defensive end Zach Telfor of Charlotte, Michigan (Charlotte HS), made a career-high nine tackles and a team-high two sacks.
Hope returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 24 for homecoming against Alma. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Smith Stadium.