Box Score HOLLAND, Mich. – Hope College scored on its first two possessions of the second half to pull away for a 52-33 victory over Albion College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football action at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
Albion led 13-7 when Markell McCoy scored on a 3-yard run with 9:20 left in the second quarter.
Hope scored the game's next 24 points. Connor Mellon scored on runs from 6 and 25 yards out, Mason Opple threw a 49-yard strike to Cooper Cecchini and Sam Allbritten made a 24-yard field goal.
Albion tried to keep the game within reach – Jacob Clark finished an eight play drive with a 3-yard run – midway through the third quarter. The Briton defense forced a punt on Hope's next possession, but the offense could not take advantage. Hope intercepted an Albion pass on 3rd and 7 and Hope scored on the next play (Mellon scored his third touchdown of the day on a 9-yard run) as the Flying Dutchmen forged a 38-20 lead.
Albion finished the day with 464 yards of total offense. McCoy achieved his third 100-yard rushing game of the season, collecting 103 yards and two touchdowns on 29 attempts. Jack Bush threw for 128 yards in the second half.
Drew Shafter led the Albion defense with 12 tackles.
Albion (3-2 overall, 0-2 MIAA) continues league play next Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Kalamazoo College.
Follow the Albion football team on Twitter (@AlbionFootball) and Instagram (@albionfootball_). General athletics news can be found @GoBrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and at facebook.com/albionathletics.
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu
