FOOTBALL: Alma vs. Hope Preview
Alma College Scots (1-3,1-0) Vs. Hope College Flying Duthcmen (1-3,1-0)
The Match-Up
Both the Scots and the Dutchmen started their conference season with wins last week, defeating Tri-State and Albion respectively, and look to get an early lead in the MIAA standings with a win this Saturday. This game should be extra physical and intense as it matches up two teams who played a tight game last year that ended in a controversial call in overtime, giving the Dutchmen the win.
Scouting The Dutchmen
Offense
Hope's offense is lead by junior signal caller Jake Manning. In four games this year, Manning has completed 60 of 104 pass attempts for 8 touchdowns, averaging 204 yards per game. Taking care of the ball has been a problem for Hope, as they have lost the turnover battle 10-5, including four interceptions by Manning.
Manning depends on a trio of targets to do most of the work on the receiving end. Tight End Kevin VandenBosch leads the team in receptions, with 20, and has been good for 50 plus yards per game. Doug VanEerden leads the Dutchmen in total receiving yards with 303 and has caught four of the 8 touchdowns scored through the air. Joey Goeb is the third leg in this trio and is also averaging over 50 yards per game.
Through the first three games of the season, Hope's rushing attack had been lead by sophomore Brett Jones who had proven to be capable, netting 103 yards per game. However, after serving a three game suspension, the Dutchmen welcomed back senior standout David Booko to the lineup last week and he promptly put up nearly 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the win over Albion.
Look for the Scots to try to take away the run and force Manning to beat them with his arm.
Defense
Hope brings the number 7th overall defense in the MIAA and the 8th against the pass into this game against the very potent Alma College "Scotgun" attack. Hope's defense has had its struggles this year, giving up nearly 300 yards per game through the air and allowing almost 42 points per game.
Look for the Scots to attack the Dutchmen early and often through the air and try to exploit a Hope secondary that loves to come up in run support.
Last Week's Action: Alma 28, Tri-State 10
The Scots came in to today's MIAA conference opener against the Tri-State Thunder still looking for their first win of the season. Alma came away with the 28-10 record and in doing so elevated Head Coach Jim Cole to the top of the Alma College Football Coaching Career Wins List. The day was also memorable for star wide receiver Joe Cline (Ithaca/Ithaca) who behind a nine catch, one touchdown, 116 yard receiving day moved past Mark Boehms into the top spot on the Career Receiving Yards List.
The first quarter was a back and forth battle that ended with no points on the board. Tri-State jumped out in the second quarter with a touchdown at the 13:39 mark. The Scots responded with a touchdown of their own as Alma marched down the field on a 13 play 75 yard drive capped off by a Mackenzie McGrady (Portland/Portland) touchdown run. Tri-State rebounded with a field goal as time expired in the half and took the 10-7 lead into the break. The Scots owned the second half, scoring three more touchdowns and holding Tri-State scoreless.
McGrady had an outstanding day, rebounding from a few rough ones, and put up 375 total yards, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Kyle Ryan (Reese/Reese) had another solid game for the Scots, picking up key first downs when they needed them on his way to racking up 72 yards on the ground. Cline returned to his All-American form, as he lead the Scots in receiving and scored the only touchdown in the passing game.
The defense played outstanding today and was led by senior Alex Catilin (Alma/Alma) who had six solo tackles and a sack. Nick Merlo (Rochester/Rochester) and Zach Comer (Alma/Alma) each added six total tackles.
With the win today, Jim Cole passes Phil Brooks on the Alma College All-Time Wins List with a record of 95-63 Cole reached this mark in three less seasons than it took Brooks to post the previous record of 94 wins.
Records Watch
Career Records
Through four weeks of this season, All-American WR Joe Cline (Ithaca/Ithaca) has climbed even closer on the few career records that he doesn’t already own at Alma College. Cline needs just one touchdown reception to pass Mark Boehms ’02 on the career touchdown receptions list, they are currently tied at 24. Also, Cline needs just 14 more receptions this year to overtake Boehms on the career receptions list (Boehms recorded 206). If Cline can find the endzone 9 more times this season, he will break the career points record that is currently held by Chris Clark ’69 with 198 points. Cline’s 24 receiving touchdowns gives him 144 points, which happens to be 54 points or 9 touchdowns short of the record.
With last week's nine receptions for 116 yards, Cline passed Boehms on the career receiving yards list and now sits alone with 2,574 career yards.
Posted: Fri, October 5th, 2007 at 9:23AM
