OPENING DRIVE

The Alma College football team returns to Bahlke Field for the first time since September 3 to open a three-game homestand and host Hope College in the annual Homecoming game. The Scots have won three straight contests – all on the road – and are seeking their first four-game winning streak since 2007.

THE SERIES

According to Alma College records, today's game is the 91st meeting between the Scots and Dutch in a series that began in 1919. Hope leads the all-time series, 55-31-4. Last season, Alma defeated Hope, 35-24, for the first win in Holland, Mich., since 1993. The Scots are seeking their first back-to-back wins over the Flying Dutchmen since they won three straight meetings from 1994-96.

LAST GAME - Alma 56, at Kalamazoo 26

Box Score

Nick Sullivan scored a career-high four touchdowns on the ground while Dylan Zaborowski tossed a career-high four touchdown passes as Alma opened play in the MIAA with a victory. Danny Hugan II became the first Alma receiver since 2008 to catch three touchdown passes, while Jacob Plisko tied a school record with eight extra points, as the Scots won their third straight game. Alma opened up the game with a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter and repelled two Kalamazoo comeback attempts, eventually closing out the game and pulling away with a pair of fourth quarter TDs.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• According to the latest NCAA Division III statistics, Alma College is the third-best team at sacking the quarterback, averaging 4.25 sacks per game.  
• The Scots rank 39th nationally in team rushing, averaging 223.3 yards per game, and are second in the MIAA behind Trine's 332.0 yards per game average on the ground. 
• Alma continues to maintain the top rushing defense in the MIAA, allowing 101.3 yards per game, a mark that is 47th nationally. 
• The Scots lead the MIAA with 38 for loss and rank 17th in that category in Division III. 
• Alma's 479.3 yards per game of offense is a mark that ranks second in the MIAA and 37th nationally.

HOMECOMING STREAK

The Scots are looking to snap an eight-game losing streak in Homecoming games. Alma's last victory on Homecoming came on Oct. 13, 2007, when it defeated Wisconsin Lutheran, 28-20.

RED HOT IN THE RED ZONE

The Scots are 16-for-20 in the red zone this season, scoring 13 touchdowns and making three field goals. However, over the last three games, Alma is 14-for-15 (93.3 percent) inside the 20-yard line.

LEADING IN THE MARGINS

Alma has forced and recovered a fumble in every game this year and has recorded at least one interception in every game to lead the MIAA in turnover margin with a +5. That mark also ranks 29th in NCAA Division III.

FAST STARTS AND SOLID FINISHES

The Scots have scored first in each of the last three games and are outscoring opponents by a 31-14 margin in the first quarter this season. Alma is being outscored in the second and third quarters, but is closing out games with a 35-21 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter.

THIRTY FOR 30

The Scots are 3-0 this season when scoring 30 or more points and are 9-0 under Head Coach Greg Pscodna when putting 30 or more points on the board. The last time the Scots lost when scoring 30 or more points was September 24, 2011, in a 49-42 shootout at Washington & Lee.

100 TIMES THREE

Senior Nick Sullivan has ran for 100 or more yards in three straight games, and ranks second in the MIAA with a 110.0 yards per game average. Sullivan tied a school record last Saturday at Kalamazoo with a career-high four touchdowns, marking the fifth time in his career he has scored more than one rushing TD in a game. Sullivan is chasing the school record for rushing yards in a season (1,070) and is seeking to become Alma's fourth 1,000-yard rusher. He currently has 440 yards after four games.

HUGAN NAMED MIAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Junior Danny Hugan II was named the MIAA's Offensive Player of the Week after catching seven passes for a season-high 153 yards and a career-high three touchdowns at Kalamazoo. Hugan has recorded 100 or more receiving yards in two of his last three games, including his last two outings, and ranks 17th in NCAA Division III with 117.5 yards per game. In addition, with his three touchdown catches at Kalamazoo, Hugan became the first Alma receiver since 2008 to catch at least three TD passes. Hugan is on pace to become Alma's fourth 1,000-yard receiver and has recorded 100 or more yards receiving six times in his Alma career.

TOP 10 BEHIND THE LINE

Senior Troy Gahm ranks second in NCAA Division III with an average of 1.75 sacks per game, and has tallied seven sacks in his last two outings, posting a career-high four at Concordia Wisconsin before tallying three at Kalamazoo last week. Gahm also ranks seventh in the country with 2.5 tackles for loss per game. Gahm has 36 career tackles for loss to rank second in Alma College history behind Terry Calagon's 49.5 from 2012-15. In addition, Gahm's 17.5 career sacks are also second to Calagon's 22.5. Finally, Gahm leads the team with a pair of forced fumbles and is tied for 12th nationally in that category.

ZABOROWSKI AGAINST THE DUTCHMEN

Dylan Zaborowski is 42-for-75 for 516 yards and two touchdowns in his two career games against Hope College, and has rushed the ball 23 times for 112 yards and a score. Last season, Zaborowski completed a career-high 34 passes for a career-best 441 yards at Hope, going 34-for-49 for a career-best .694 completion percentage.

79 AGAIN

Dylan Zaborowski equalled the longest pass of his career at Kalamazoo with a 79-yard pass to Essa Kellah. The mark equalled his 79-yard pass on October 18, 2014 against the Hornets. In addition, Zaborowski threw a career-best four touchdown passes, surpassing the three TD tosses he had thrown on four separate occasions.

EIGHT ISN'T ENOUGH

Justin Thelen has recorded an interception in three of his four games this season, including two straight, and has eight picks in his career. His is two interceptions away from becoming one of 10 Alma College players to notch 10 or more picks in their career.

PERFECT KICKING

Jacob Plisko tied a school record by converting eight extra-point attempts at Kalamazoo and is a perfect 19-for-19 in extra-point attempts this year. Plisko has also made all three of his field goal attempts.

TARTAN TIDBITS

• The Scots three straight road wins mark the first time since 2004 that Alma has won three consecutive games away from Bahlke Field. 
• Alma's 56 points at Kalamazoo is the most since October 18, 2008, when the Scots recorded the same amount in a 56-24 victory against the Hornets. 
• Dylan Zaborowski has now tossed three or more touchdown passes in each of his three career games against Kalamazoo. 
• Essa Kellah caught his first career touchdown pass at Kalamazoo and set a season-high with 87 yards on four catches. 
• Cody Coleman registered his second career interception at Kalamazoo and the first since October 11, 2014, against Adrian. 
• Derek Ellis tallied a career-high two sacks and two tackles for loss at Kalamazoo.

NEXT UP ...

The Scots will host Aurora University (Ill.) next weekend in a non-conference matchup at Bahlke Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game is designated as Alumni Day.