News Summary
Calvin University’s football team celebrated a historic win against Kalamazoo College, securing their first victory in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) with a score of 24-16. This triumph not only improves Calvin’s record to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play but also marks a significant milestone as the team clinches their first conference win since the program’s inception two years ago. The match attracted a crowd of 2,554 fans during the homecoming festivities, solidifying Calvin’s position in the young football program’s history.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Calvin University’s football team marked a significant milestone by defeating Kalamazoo College 24-16, clinching their first victory in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The game was played in front of 2,554 fans during a spirited homecoming celebration at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
The victory propels Calvin’s record to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play, while Kalamazoo College’s record drops to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in MIAA competition. The match was the first time Calvin secured a win in conference play since launching their football program just two years ago.
Calvin, which previously played its inaugural season at Grand Rapids Christian High School, is set to host their 2025 home games at the new soccer stadium while awaiting the completion of an adjacent football venue. This homecoming victory cements the Knights’ place in the history of the young football program.
Kalamazoo College struck first, taking an early lead with a 31-yard field goal from Cameron Lewis, a Saugatuck High School graduate. However, Calvin responded quickly when Logan Nap tied the game at 3-3 with a 28-yard field goal. The Knights took the lead with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Vaccaro to Carter Bylsma in the second quarter, before Kalamazoo responded with a 9-yard scoring run by Conner Bell, narrowing the score to 10-10.
Heading towards halftime, Calvin regained momentum with a second touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Vaccaro to Seth Anderson, leading 17-10 at the break. The second half saw Kalamazoo reduce the deficit with another field goal from Cameron Lewis, making it 17-13. However, Calvin increased their lead further with a 6-yard touchdown run by Hunter Hogan in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 24-13.
Kalamazoo managed one final field goal from 40 yards by Cameron Lewis, ending the game at 24-16, but they were unable to overcome the Knights’ lead in the final minutes.
Throughout the game, Thomas Vaccaro executed a nearly flawless passing game, completing 26 of 31 attempts for a total of 235 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Luke Michmerhuizen and Kaleb Dubowksi contributed significantly, with 73 yards on six catches and 68 yards on six receptions, respectively. Hunter Hogan was the standout on the ground, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, showcasing a well-rounded offensive effort from Calvin.
Defensively, Calvin was equally impressive. Carson Schnurstein led the Knights’ defense with 10 tackles, including two tackles for a loss and one sack. Alexander Minnehan and Caiden Bolduc also made key contributions, with nine and eight tackles respectively, bolstering the Knights’ defensive standings against Kalamazoo’s offense.
For Kalamazoo, quarterback Dawson Skupin had a heavy workload, completing 30 of 49 passes for 347 yards. His top targets included Lucas Hanifan with 13 receptions for 104 yards and Jaden Johnson with six catches totaling 123 yards. Rushing efforts were led by Conner Bell who managed 44 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Defensively for Kalamazoo, Raymond Cargill was highlighted with 17 tackles, while Corey Garrison contributed 10 tackles, including a sack, striving to counter Calvin’s offensive progress.
Calvin University looks to build on this historic victory as they prepare for their next challenge against Alma, scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Calvin Football Stays Unbeaten After Historic Homecoming Win
- Holland Sentinel: Calvin University Breaks Ground on New Football Stadium
- Detroit Free Press: Hope and Calvin’s Longtime Rivalry Finally Gets a Football Game
- PR Newswire: Calvin University Kicks Off Season on a New Premium Astroturf Football Field
- MSN: Calvin University Breaks Ground on Football Field
- Wikipedia: Calvin University
- Google Search: Calvin University football
- Google Scholar: Calvin University football program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Calvin University sports
- Google News: Calvin University football news
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
