Football team loses to Hope, 38-13

The Olivet College football team dropped a 38-13 decision to Hope College before 1,910 fans today Zat Holland Municipal Stadium in Holland.

The Flying Dutchmen built a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play and 21-0 halftime lead. Hope then ran back the second half kickoff for a touchdown to take a commanding 28-0 lead.

Olivet put its first seven points up the scoreboard on its first possession of the second half. The nine-play, 75-yard drive was capped off by a one-yard quarterback sneak by freshman Nick McCleary (Battle Creek/ Harper Creek). Senior Kyle Zabel's (Sturgis) PAT kick split the uprights.

The Dutchmen responded with a field goal with 6:04 left in the third quarter and a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter. The Comets closed the scoring with 5:26 remaining in the game when junior Pat Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) scampered seven yards into the end zone. Zabel missed the PAT for his failed kick in 21 attempts this season.

Hope out-gained Olivet, 321-227, in yards of total offense. On the ground, Clasgens had 16 carries for 56 yards. Freshman Mike Martin (Caledonia/Wayland) rushed six times for 42 yards and caught three passes for 29 yards. McCleary threw for 136 yards on 12-of-22 passing. The leading receiver was freshman James Williams (Battle Creek/Central) with five catches for 46 yards.

Defensively, junior Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) topped the team with 10 total tackles, including eight solo stops. Senior Michael Terranova (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) was second with eight tackles. Sophomore Chris Gottardo (Warren/Centreline) had five tackles, including three for minus 22 yards.

For the Dutchmen, Josh Echtinaw carried the ball 18 times for 143 yards. Jake Manning completed 17-of-31 passes for 177 yards. Kyle Dietrich had seven receptions for 89 yards. Kevin Mill led the Hope defense with seven tackles. Kyle Eurick recorded three quarterback sacks.

The Comets are now idle until Saturday, Nov. 15, when they welcome Adrian College to the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet for a 6 p.m. game.