Venue & Game Details
Kickoff: 10:30 AM ET
Venue: Faught Stadium, Franklin, Indiana
Surface: Natural Grass
Broadcast: Franklin College Athletics Live Stream / Local Radio
Weather Forecast (Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature: ~80°F (27°C)
Humidity: ~58%
Wind: SW at 5–7 mph
Impact: Minimal — warm but not oppressive; light wind should not significantly affect passing or kicking.
Injury Report
Hope College
No major injuries reported after Week 1 blowout win over Loras (62–0).
QB Alex Thole (junior transfer from Grand Valley State) healthy after efficient debut.
RB rotation of Kal Motter and AJ Martel available.
All-MIAA CB Austin Harvey and DL Caleb Paarlberg healthy.
Franklin College
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 win over Olivet Nazarene (27–20).
QB Josh Miller healthy after 2-TD performance.
WR Ethan Burk (leading receiver in opener) available.
Defensive starters intact.
Key Player Matchups
QB Alex Thole (Hope) vs. Franklin Secondary — Thole’s timing and accuracy will test a Grizzlies pass defense that allowed multiple chunk plays in Week 1.
RBs Kal Motter & AJ Martel (Hope) vs. Franklin Front Seven — Hope’s balanced ground game could control tempo; Franklin must win early downs.
QB Josh Miller (Franklin) vs. Hope Pass Rush — Miller’s ability to extend plays will be critical against a Hope defense that pitched a shutout in Week 1.
WR Ethan Burk (Franklin) vs. CB Austin Harvey (Hope) — A true strength-on-strength battle; Harvey is an All-Region corner.
Special Teams — Hope’s kicking game is steady; Franklin’s return units could be a hidden factor.
Recent Form
Hope Flying Dutchmen
W 62–0 @ Loras — Total domination; offense scored on first 7 possessions, defense forced 3 turnovers.
2024: 11-1, MIAA champions, reached NCAA DIII quarterfinals.
Franklin Grizzlies
W 27–20 vs. Olivet Nazarene — Balanced attack; defense made key stops late.
2024: 5-5 overall, 4-3 HCAC.
Series History
All-time meetings: Hope leads 2–0
Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 — Hope 41, Franklin 17 in Holland, MI.
Hope rushed for 250+ yards; defense held Franklin under 300 total yards.
Betting Trends & Angles
Hope: 9-1 SU in last 10 games; 7-3 ATS (unofficial DIII tracking).
Franklin: 5-5 SU in last 10 games; 4-6 ATS.
Totals: Over has hit in 3 of last 4 Hope games; Franklin has gone Over in 4 of last 6.
Situational: Hope on the road after a blowout win; Franklin in home opener.
Game Odds
Hope Flying Dutchmen – 17.5
Franklin Grizzlies 54.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
