The Flying Dutchmen launch their 2003 football campaign Saturday, Sept. 6, at the College of Wooster, Ohio.

Kickoff will be 1 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast by WHTC-AM (1450) and WFUR-FM (102.9). The WHTC broadcast will also be available via Yahoo.com through the Hope College athletics website

• The Hope/Wooster series started in 2002. The Fighting Scots spoiled Hope's home-opener, 14-9. It was the beginning of a seven-game Wooster winning streak. However, the Fighting Scots lost two of their last three games to end 8-2. Hope struggled early last season, losing four of their first five games, but rebounding to win four of their last five to finish 5-5. The Flying Dutchmen approach the 2003 season with a three-game winning streak.

• Hope coach Dean Kreps begins his ninth season (42-32) while Wooster coach Mike Schmitz begins his fourth (18-12).

• Hope and Wooster have each been picked by their respective conference coaches as the team to beat in 2003. The Flying Dutchmen got the nod in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) although when mixed with the media's votes, they've been pegged for third place. Wooster is the pre-season favorite in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) ahead of traditionally strong Wittenberg and Wabash.

• Hope will put a veteran quarterback on the field while Wooster will be going with a freshman. Phil Butler has passed for a Hope career record 5,193 yards and 54 touchdowns, including 31 in 2002. Wooster will go with first-year player Justin Schafer.

• The experience-factor is just the opposite with the receiving corps as Wooster counts several veterans while Hope's aren't as abundant although the returnees provide a promising nucleus. Joe Verschueren was Hope's second-leading receiver last fall with 41 catches for 614 yards while Jeff Eldersveld grabbed 31 for 366 yards.

• Each team faces a major rebuilding job on its offensive line with Hope returning no starters on the interior and Wooster just two. Wooster's combined starting lineup could include four freshmen. Hope's combined probable starting lineup counts nine seniors, 11 juniors and two sophomores.

The Flying Dutchmen will be trying to revitalize its running game after averaging only 104 yards a game in 2002. They'll hope to keep senior tailback Todd Bloemers healthy. Last fall he was less than 100% because of injury and ilness, but he still was able to rush for 779 yards with an average of 4.6 yards per carry. Wooster boasts pre-season All-American Tony Sutton, a junior tailback who rushed for a school-record 1,418 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall, but was limited to just 47 yards on 13 carries by Hope.

• Each team's punter lacks collegiate experience. Junior Seth Kovarik, who hasn't punted since his high school days, will get the call for the Flying Dutchmen. Sophomore Andrew Branch will get the call for Wooster.

Among the pre-season recognitions, Hope co-captains Phil Butler (quarterback) and Matt Beaver (linebacker) were named to the Detroit Free Press pre-season All-Michigan Small College Team.

The Flying Dutchmen will mark their home debut on Saturday, Sept. 13 by hosting the DePauw Tigers for the 38th annual Hope/Holland Community game.

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