ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College football team opened MIAA Conference play on Saturday afternoon as they hosted the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College. The Bulldogs came out ready to play taking a 14-10 lead into halftime, but the Flying Dutchmen came back in the second half to defeat the Bulldogs, 30-21.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a pair of red zone opportunities on their first two drives. An interception by
AJ Pipkins set up the second opportunity. Unfortunately, Adrian was held to field goal attempts in which they were unsuccessful in both. Adrian got the ball back and scored a touchdown with 20 seconds to go in the quarter on a 44-yard pass to
Tyler Poirier to lead 7-0.
In the second, Hope marched down the field and tied the game at 7-7. With 1:55 to go in the half, Adrian regained the lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass to
Keontae Townsend to lead 14-7. Hope managed to kick a field goal before the end of the half to make it 14-10.
Hope came out in the second half and scored a touchdown to lead 17-14. Adrian responded quickly with a 13-yard pass to
Khris Crumsey in the end zone to go up 21-17 entering the fourth quarter. Hope scored to open the fourth quarter but missed the extra point to lead 23-21. After an Adrian turnover on downs, the Bulldogs got the ball back on an interception which was returned to the 50-yard line by
Waides Ashmon. Adrian sparked some life but gave the ball back to Hope on a fumble allowing them to go down the field and score another touchdown and lock up the victory.
Mark Lopez finished the day 11-of-22 with 193 yards passing and three touchdowns for Adrian.
Salvatore Patierno rushed for 106 yards on 21 attempts while Townsend led the receivers with 123 yards on seven receptions.
On defense,
Ryker Bidwell led the team with 15 tackles followed by ten from Ashmon. Pipkins added nine tackles and two pass breakups for the Bulldogs.
Tche Leroux recorded two QB hurries and a fumble recovery.
Adrian returns to action on the road on Saturday, October 7 when they travel to Trine University for a 1PM game.
