Venue & Game Details
Location: Rock Bowl Stadium – Dubuque, Iowa
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. CT
Broadcast: Loras College Athletics Network (video), local radio coverage, live stats via Loras Athletics
Capacity: ~4,000
Weather Forecast (Dubuque, IA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light clouds
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, warming into the upper 70s by the second half
Wind: WNW at 6–9 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal wind effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
#20 Hope
No major preseason injuries reported.
RB Chance Strickland (MIAA rushing TD leader in 2024) healthy after a 4‑TD performance vs. Loras last year.
QB Ben Wellman returns after rushing for an 80‑yard TD in the 2024 opener.
Loras
No significant absences reported; QB Evan England expected to start after facing heavy pressure in last year’s meeting.
WR corps intact, looking to improve on 2024’s limited production vs. Hope.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
#20 Hope: 10‑2 overall, MIAA champions, NCAA Second Round (lost to North Central 41‑21).
Loras: 3‑7 overall, 3‑5 American Rivers Conference.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Hope
L @ North Central 41‑21 (NCAA Second Round)
W vs. Aurora 49‑21 (NCAA First Round)
W @ Olivet 48‑12
W @ Calvin 38‑7
W vs. Albion 41‑14
Loras
L @ Wartburg 69‑14
W vs. Nebraska Wesleyan 32‑22
L @ Central 45‑7
L vs. Dubuque 49‑42
W @ Luther 48‑13
Key Player Matchups
RB Chance Strickland (HOP) vs. Loras Front Seven
Strickland gashed Loras for 4 TDs and 100+ yards last year; Duhawks must improve gap discipline.
QB Ben Wellman (HOP) vs. Loras Secondary
Dual‑threat QB who hit a 31‑yard TD pass and broke an 80‑yard run in 2024 opener.
WR Eli VanderVeen (HOP) vs. Loras CB1
VanderVeen’s size and catch radius vs. a secondary that allowed 271 pass yds to Hope last year.
QB Evan England (LOR) vs. Hope Pass Rush
England was sacked 4 times in 2024 meeting; must get ball out quickly.
WR1 Loras vs. Hope CB Cole Luhmann & DB Unit
Luhmann led Hope with 7 tackles last year; secondary allowed just 123 total yards in 2024 opener.
Series History
All-Time: Hope leads 2‑0
2024: Hope 49‑0 in Holland, MI — 662 total yards for Hope, first home‑opener shutout in 45 years.
2023: Hope 42‑28 in Holland, MI — closer contest with both teams over 400 yards offense.
Average Margin: Hope +31 points
Betting Trends
Hope: 8‑2 ATS in last 10 games; OVER in 6 of last 8.
Loras: 3‑7 ATS in 2024; OVER in 4 of last 6.
Head-to-Head: Hope has covered both meetings; OVER hit in 2023, UNDER in 2024 blowout.
Game Odds
Hope Flying Dutchmen – 21
Loras Duhawks 57
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
