Calvin Football Beats Hope 38-24 in Rivalry
Calvin claimed its first-ever win over Hope in the second quarter lead and clinched a share of the MIAA football title.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
Calvin defeated Hope 38-24 on November 7, 2026, at Knight Stadium, improving to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the MIAA. Hope dropped to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
Why it matters
The win gives Calvin a share of the MIAA football title and positions it for the conference's automatic NCAA tournament bid. Hope's path to a share of the title now depends on next week's results against Trine and Calvin's game against Alma.
Calvin's 38-24 victory came against a Hope team that entered 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA, with Calvin's record now 9-0 and 6-0. Hope can still share the conference title only if it beats Trine and Calvin loses to Alma next week.
The players
Calvin University
A private Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, whose football program began three years ago and plays in the MIAA.
Hope College
A private liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, and a long-standing rival of Calvin in the MIAA.
The details
Calvin took its first lead ever over Hope in the second quarter and held on through the fourth quarter. Luke Michmerhuizen caught two long touchdown passes, including a 64-yard score from Thomas Vaccaro that gave Calvin a 38-24 lead, and Calvin's onside kick went out of bounds for a penalty, ending Hope's ensuing possession without a score.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Calvin defeats Hope 38-24 at Knight Stadium.
Next week: Hope plays Trine and Calvin plays Alma, deciding the MIAA title tiebreaker.
Season Trajectory
Calvin's first-ever win over Hope in the programs' rivalry history breaks a long pattern of Hope dominance in the series. The result also places Calvin in position to claim the MIAA's automatic NCAA tournament bid if it holds the tiebreaker over Hope.
Calvin's win moves it closer to the MIAA's automatic NCAA tournament bid, which would go to the team holding the tiebreaker. For Hope, next week's games against Trine and Calvin's game against Alma are the only paths to a shared conference title.
The takeaway
A first-ever victory in a long-lopsided rivalry can reshape a conference race quickly, and next week's results will settle who holds the MIAA tiebreaker.
What happens next
Hope plays Trine and Calvin plays Alma next week, and those results will determine whether Hope can share the MIAA title.
Further reading
For more on the local college scene, see Football coverage across Grand Rapids.
