The College Football Wrap-Up(c)’s GAME OF THE WEEK!
November 1, 2019
By Tony Dixon, For COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Ypsilanti, MI —
Hope’s Flying Dutchmen have proven themselves to be determined to claim the 2019 MIAA title and have shown this determination very adeptly on the field. They are currently riding a 6 game winning streak (6 – 1, 4 – 0 MIAA) and are coming off a fine performance, in adverse weather conditions, in their victory over the former #2* team in the state as well as the MIAA, Olivet.
But when you are on top, there is always a new contender, someone that wants that top spot. Enter #4* Alma (5 – 2, 3 – 1 MIAA), the Scots had a 4 game winning streak snapped a couple of weeks ago, but have returned to the right side of the ledger with a victory last week, and look to start a new streak with another win on Saturday.
No small feat, Hope’s senior signal caller, Mason Opple is a dual threat that can carry a team, as he did last week during the cloud burst that was college football Saturday in Michigan. In Hope’s victory over previously unbeaten Olivet, Opple rushed for 217 yards, with a long of 50 yards! He also had 2 rushing TDs. Totals that earned him Player of The Week honors in the MIAA.
The two squads have played a common foe this season, Albion. The Scots defeated the Britons by a 32 – 28 score the first Saturday in October. Hope then piled on, making Albion win number 4, with a 52 – 33 victory over the Britons the following weekend.
Other Games of Interest this weekend:
Ferris State is a national powerhouse, ranked # 2 nationally and the state’s only remaining unbeaten team. Jayru Campbell the former Detroit Cass Tech. grad., is a a monster at QB. Last weekend he bucked the ground game trend and threw for a career high 347 yards and 2 TDs, while leading the team in rushing with 61 yards and 2 TDs. He won Player Of The Week honors in the GLIAC.
FSU (8 – 0, 6 – 1 GLIAC) is currently # 1 in the regional seedings for the D-2 National Championship Playoffs. Not to disparage the rest of the remaining foes this regular season, but other than their clash with Grand Valley State (7 – 1, 5 – 1 GLIAC) in the Anchor Bone Classic, which has been upgraded to a prime time national telecast on ESPN, they probably won’t be threatened until then.
Grand Valley State’s only blemish this season came in another rain soaked game, under the lights, and ESPN cameras, at the hands of Ashland…on a “Hail Mary”…as time expired, 20 – 17 was the final score. Easily the most dramatic finish to a game that I’ve seen this season.
The following games are out of state, but feature the new # 2 in the TPR(c) rankings, and nationally ranked Siena Heights. The Saints have rebounded well from their only loss, a 10 – 7 game at Concordia-AA in early October. They have won 3 straight including a strong (15.5 TPR) performance at Saint Francis (IN).
U-M is also on the road following their stunning performance against former Top Ten foe Notre Dame.
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