Football team drops 41-24 decision at Hope

Sophomore fullback Drew Nielsen (Belding High School) rushed for a career-high 214 yards but it was not enough as the Olivet College football team dropped a 41-24 decision this afternoon at Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Hope College at the Holland Municipal Stadium.

The Flying Dutchmen (3-2, 2-0 MIAA) struck first when they took advantage of an Olivet (3-2, 0-2 MIAA) fumble late in the first quarter. Joe Schwander connected with Jake Schrock for a 26-yard scoring strike with 14:49 left in the second quarter. Junior Justin Hunwick (Sterling Heights/Stevenson High School) nailed a 23-yard field on the Comets' next possession to cut the deficit to 7-3. Hope stretched its lead to 14-3 with a minute left in the opening half. Olivet quickly marched down the field and Hunwick made a 41-yard field goal as the first half clock expired.

After stopping the Comets on a fourth down play, the Dutchmen wasted no time as Schwander found Schrock for another touchdown, this time from 36 yards out. Olivet answered with a five-play drive capped off by a 15-yard run by Neilsen to make the score, 20-12. Hope came right back with a touchdown at the 3:27 mark of the third quarter to extend its lead back to 15 points.

The Dutch pushed their lead to 22 points midway through the fourth quarter with a passing touchdown. Sophomore Carl Cannon (Lansing/Forest Hills Northern High School) had a three-yard touchdown run to make the score 34-18. Hope closed out the scoring with a 59 seconds left in the game.

For the game, the Comets outgained the Dutchmen in total offense, 448-416. Nielsen had 24 carries for 214 yards. Sophomore Kemp Luchie (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Northern High School) was next with 43 yards. Senior quarterback Rick Mason (Belding High School) completed five-of-13 passes for 122 yards. Junior Josh Ewing (Hopkins High School) caught two passes for 86 yards. Defensively, senior Ryan Hayes (Livonia Franklin High School) had a team-best 12 tackles.

David Booko led Hope with 86 rushing yards. Schwander completed 18-of-34 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Schrock caught five passes for 123 yards while Joe Verschueren had seven catches for 95 yards. Andy Snyder topped the defense with 17 tackles.

Olivet is next in action Saturday, Oct. 16 when it hosts Adrian College at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.