Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The Hope College football team dropped its season opener at nationally-ranked Aurora University (Ill.), 38-17, on Saturday.
Junior running back Chance Strickland and freshman receiver Brody Thompson each scored touchdowns for the Flying Dutchmen.
Sophomore Caden Balkon (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center HS) kicked a 27-yard, first-quarter field goal for Hope.
Strickland (Mason, Michigan / Mason) reached the end zone on an 8-yard run 37 seconds into the fourth quarter to cut Aurora's lead to 17-10. The play capped a 16-play, 75-yard drive.
The touchdown was one of four the two teams generated within the first 5 minutes, 49 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Aurora, which reached the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs last season with wins at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Alma College, answered with two big plays.
Running back Jhequay Chretin ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run at the 12:59 mark.
After the Spartans forced Hope to punt, Aurora quarterback Ian Luyando fired a 56-yard scoring strike to Ty Pruett at the 10:41 mark.
Thompson (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) cut Aurora's lead to 31-17 when Thompson leaped in the end zone to catch a 30-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Zach Trainor (Milford, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) at the 9:11 mark.
Aurora outgained the Flying Dutchmen, 453-286, in total offense.
Hope's next game is the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. against Loras College (Iowa) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.