The nationally-ranked Hope College football team delivered another dynamic first half on the road and a 2-0 start to the season.
The Flying Dutchmen overpowered Franklin College (Indiana) during the opening two quarters to earn a 38-14 victory on Saturday.
Head coach Peter Stuursma was proud of his team's rising to the rare challenge of playing two road games to begin the season. The Flying Dutchmen (No. 17 American Football Coaches Association/No. 18 D3football.com) are ready to play on their turf at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium, though, he said.
"I told the team after the game 'We're at home' and the guys ripped the roof off the locker room with their roar. We're excited to be home," Stuursma said.
Hope's next game is the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. against 1-1 Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. Mount St. Joseph was edged, 35-28, by Aurora University (Illinois) on Saturday.
The game is part of the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Weekend on campus. Purchase one ticket for $18 for admission to the football game, the men's soccer home game on Friday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., and the women's soccer home game on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the Flying Dutchmen scored 31 consecutive points during the first half after the Grizzlies jumped to a 7-0 lead on the opening drive.
Hope finished with 509 yards in total offense, with 330 yards passing and 179 rushing. The Flying Dutchmen entered the game ranked fourth in the nation in total offense,
"To be up 31-7 at halftime was outstanding, especially because we had a squall come through with rain and wind," Stuursma said. "We didn't drop the ball. We didn't make mistakes. The defense hung in there. It snowballed from there in our favor."
Junior quarterback Alex Thole (Schoolcraft, Michigan / Schoolcraft) completed 20-of-23 passes for 321 yards, two touchdowns, and one second-half interception. Thole connected often with junior receiver Jonny Rohen-Blanton (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford).
Rohen-Blanton set career-highs with 134 yards receiving and seven catches. His 62-yard touchdown reception on Hope's second play from scrimmage allowed Hope to tie the score at 7-7 following a Jace Mohr 6-yard TD catch.
Hope went ahead, 10-7, on its next drive after senior placekicker Caden Balkon (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center) launched a 26-yard field goal through a stiff wind.
Thole then led the Flying Dutchmen on three more scoring drives before halftime. The successful series ended on:
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1-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back AJ Martel (Mason, Michigan / Mason) with 35 seconds left in the first quarter;
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4-yard TD run by Thole three minutes into the second quarter; and
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7-yard strike in the end from Thole to senior receiver Travis Myers (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) with 1:11 remaining in the first half. Myers finished with five receptions for 87 yards.
Freshman quarterback Jonathan Pittman (Norton Shores, Michigan / Mona Shores) capped Hope's third consecutive touchdown drive of 70 yards or more with a 2-yard run on the second half's first possession.
Defensively, Hope held Franklin (1-1) to one yard passing while collecting five sacks. The Grizzlies passed for 309 yards.
Senior linebacker Micah Bush (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) topped the Flying Dutchmen with nine tackles, including one sack.
Senior defensive end Liam Danitz (West Branch, Michigan / Ogemaw Heights) recorded a career-best three sacks.