Two Career Records Set In Hope Football's Season-Ending Loss At Kalamazoo

Senior Matt Kroll of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS) broke the Hope College career touchdown reception record during a season-ending, 39-31 loss at Kalamazoo on Saturday.

Kroll caught touchdown passes of 20, 8 and 10 yards against the Hornets to give him eight this season and 26 for his career. He passed the 23 Mike Gle totaled between 1999-2001.

Senior punter Dean DeVries of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grandville HS) also set the career punting average record. He finished with an average of 40.5 over four seasons to surpass the previous record of 38.9 held by Henry Loudermilk (1977-79).

Kroll's career-high 151 yards on a career best-tying 11 receptions were not enough to keep the Flying Dutchmen from finishing the season with a 2-8 overall record and an 0-6 mark in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.

Kalamazoo (3-7, 1-5 MIAA) outscored Hope 25-7 in the second half.

Hope led 24-7 late in the first half on Kroll's 20-yard and 8-yard touchdown catches from senior quarterback Rob Kish of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South HS) and a 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown by sophomore linebacker Jacob Pardonnet of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS).

Kalamazoo's Octavius Sanders ended the half with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown. He closed the Hornets' scoring in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Kroll's 10-yard touchdown catch with 5:51 left in the fourth quarter cut Kalamazoo's lead to 39-31. 

Kish passed for a career-high 330 yards. He completed 25-of-58 passes with four interceptions.