Senior linebacker Andrew Debri briefly glanced at his Hope College football teammates after the Flying Dutchmen gave up a rare touchdown last week in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Faced with the season's first deficit, against a high-scoring opponent, Debri liked what we saw as defensive coordinator Jacob Pardonnet spoke to the group on the sidelines.

"It was pretty cool on the bench after the first drive, every single one of us had our eyes on Coach Pardonnet. That focus, I knew right there we were going to have an answer," Debri said after Saturday's 49-21 second-round victory against Aurora University (Illinois) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

"We trust the offense. They trust us. We play well off of each other," said Debri (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt HS). "Our defensive coordinator, Jacob Pardonnet, tells us 'Win the next one, win the next one.'"

Hope will be tested again on Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon Central at top-ranked North Central College (Illinois) in the third round of the NCAA playoffs. Tickets will be on sale at the gate in Naperville, Illinois, 1 ½ hours before kickoff.

The Cardinals, 11-0 like the Flying Dutchmen, seek their third consecutive appearance in the Stagg Bowl, Division III's national championship game, and the fourth in five years. North Central claimed national titles in 2022 and 2019 and was national runner-up in 2023.

Hope is tied for first in scoring defense at 9.5 points per game, with Central College (Iowa), which did not qualify for the postseason and played one fewer game.

The Flying Dutchmen also ranked fourth in rushing defense at 43.9 yards per game and sixth in total defense at 229.3 yards per game.

North Central is No. 1 in scoring offense at 55.7 points per game and third in rushing offense at 312.3 yards per game.

During a 42-17 second-round victory vs. Whitworth University (Washington), the Cardinals rushed for 350 yards.

Against Aurora, Hope — one of the nation's stingiest scoring defenses this season — did not give up another score for nearly 33 minutes, deep into the third quarter. 

By then, the Flying Dutchmen capitalized on Aurora turnovers and scored five touchdowns for a commanding 35-7 lead.

Hope finished the game with five forced turnovers. Sophomore linebacker Brad Raredon (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) intercepted a pass and forced a fumble.

Senior defensive back Trevor Hansen (Wyoming, Michigan / South Christian) and junior linebacker Bryce Debri (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt) each picked off passes. Senior linebacker Cole Luhmann, an American Football Coaches Association All-America First Team selection, also forced a fumble.

"Turnovers were important in the first half. It gave us a little bit of cushion," head coach Peter Stuursma said. "[Aurora is] a big play offense, and they can strike you at any time. Our guys just hung in there. I'm so proud of them."