Daniel Herrick Sports Editor
Mikael Lott ’13 scored the Hornets only touchdown of the day against Hope. Photo by Chuck Stull
Kalamazoo College football remains winless in MIAA play after dropping their homecoming game to rival Hope College 30–7 on Oct. 20. The loss followed a field dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony to christen the new fields.
Turnovers plagued the Hornets all day and K quarterbacks combined to throw five interceptions. As a team, the Hornets also lost one fumble and put five more on the ground that were not lost. The turnovers proved killer as the Hope Dutchmen’s longest scoring drive was only 47 yards. Two Dutchmen touchdowns came on drives of 18 and nine yards.
Sophomore quarterback Aaron McGuire’s interception woes returned as he threw four of the five K interceptions. In his first two MIAA games, McGuire did not throw a single interception. But in the Hornets’ four non-conference games, McGuire threw eight total. Though the Hornets recovered them all, McGuire also fumbled the ball four times against Hope.
With the game all but decided and McGuire struggling, Justin Danzy ’16 took over at quarterback for what would be the Hornets’ last drive of the day. Danzy was 6/10 for 39 yards while leading the Hornets on a 14-play, 59-yard drive. But the drive would end the same way as so many of Hornets’ prior drives did: with an interception. The Hornets gave themselves little chance, committing six turnovers to go along with 10 penalties.
One bright spot for K was a big game from running back Dimeko Price ’13. Price carried the ball 23 times for 176 yards. He also added six catches for 19 yards.
This game marks the first time that Price ran for over 100 yards during MIAA conference play. Last week against Albion College, Price had 13 carries for 2 yards. Although the Dutchmen kept Price out of the endzone, an increase in his production is a positive sign for the Hornets.
If they hope to see better results, K will need their senior running back to help guide them. Price, a first team All-MIAA selection last year, is a threat to rush for over 100 yards every game, and his teammates will be looking for him to carry the load like they know he is capable of doing.
“There is a reason why [Price] is always all-conference; Dimeko is the man,” said safety Ryan Gregory ’14.
The Hornets are staring a possible 0–4 MIAA start in the face with first place Adrian College looming next weekend. 0–4 is daunting for a team that started MIAA play with aspirations of a league title.
Adrian’s 4–0 start means K’s MIAA title drought continues. The Hornets last took home a league championship in 1963. While K can’t win the league championship, they can still play spoiler. Last season, Adrian beat Kalamazoo 52–21 at Western Michigan’s Waldo Stadium.
“A win at Adrian is very important. That momentum boost would be real good to help us finish the year on a winning note,” said Gregory.
If K hopes to capture their first MIAA victory of the season, their offense will need to find a way to right itself and limit turnovers. This will be no easy task against the stifling Adrian defense — the team has surrendered just 14 points in their first four games of league play. The Hornets travel to Adrian this Saturday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
