Calvin Routs Trine; Faces Hope in Showdown
Calvin University moved to 8-0 with a 51-20 win over Trine, setting up a decisive MIAA matchup with undefeated Hope College on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Calvin University defeated Trine University 51-20 to remain undefeated at 8-0. Hope College, also unbeaten, topped Kalamazoo College 48-13, setting up a Calvin-Hope showdown Saturday.
Why it matters
The winner of Saturday's game at Knight Stadium will secure a share of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. For Grand Rapids-area fans, the matchup pits two local college programs in a conference race that is still wide open.
Calvin's Thomas Vaccaro threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns against Trine, while Hunter Hogan caught 13 passes for 183 yards and three scores. Brody Schuiteman has 17 touchdowns on the season.
The players
Calvin University
A private Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a long-standing member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Hope College
A private liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, known for its longstanding football rivalry with Calvin University.
The details
Vaccaro threw five first-half touchdown passes, giving Calvin a 42-6 halftime lead over Trine. Hope built a 34-0 lead over Kalamazoo through three quarters before closing out its win.
Timeline
Calvin and Trine played on Saturday, November 1, 2026.
Calvin and Hope meet Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Knight Stadium.
Calvin and Hope first met in 2024, when Calvin hosted the game.
Season Trajectory
The Calvin-Hope rivalry has become one of the most closely watched matchups in the MIAA, with the 2024 meeting Calvin hosted marking the first head-to-head between the programs. This Saturday's game will determine which team takes the conference's top position for the season.
Saturday's result will determine playoff positioning and the MIAA title picture. Fans planning to attend should note the 3,600-seat capacity at Knight Stadium, which may fill quickly for a game of this significance.
The takeaway
Calvin and Hope enter Saturday with identical 8-0 records and contrasting strengths, with Calvin's offense facing Hope's stingy defense. The result will decide the MIAA race, making it one of the season's most important games.
What happens next
Calvin and Hope meet Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Knight Stadium, with the winner securing a share of the MIAA championship.
Further reading
For more college football coverage, see our Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grand Haven Tribune.
