Homecoming on Tap with Lions Coming to the Big Green Den

The Game: Dartmouth (1-4, 0-2) vs. Columbia (0-5, 0-2)
Location: Memorial Field, Hanover, N.H.
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Series Record: Dartmouth leads 63-17-1
Online Video: Big Green Insider — Dick Lutsk (play-by-play), Wayne Young (analyst), produced by NSN
Radio: WFRD 99.3 FM; Online - Dartmouth Sports Network
Live Stats • Complete Game Notes

Lions Enter the Green Den
Dartmouth could not ask for more favorable conditions to snap a four-game losing streak. The Big Green are playing their homecoming game against Columbia, which is not only 0-5 this season, but also has won just 17 of the 81 meetings between the two programs.

Last year Dartmouth rallied for a 24-21 triumph in New York when Conner Kempe guided the Green on a 14-play, 69-yard touchdown drive for the winning score late in the fourth quarter. The Dartmouth defense then stuffed the Lions short of midfield to seal the win.

Kempe completed 24 passes for 235 yards in that game, but after throwing for 242 more yards the following week against Harvard, has topped 130 just once (159 at Sacred Heart) in the eight games since. Only two teams at the FCS level have thrown for fewer yards per game this season, and it is this production that Robert L. Blackman Head Coach Buddy Teevens seeks to improve.

Senior Nick Schwieger, with 110.2 rushing yards per game to rank 13th nationally, has accounted for nearly as many yards on the ground (551) as the passing game (552). This past week, he posted 112 yards for his fourth 100-yard game of the season and 12th of his career, the latter setting a Dartmouth all-time record. The week before he broke the school's career rushing record, and at his current pace would end his tenure with close to 3,000 yards.

The defense has given up over 400 yards per game to date (95th nationally), but it ranks much better in points allowed at close to 25 (48th), which goes to show that the “bend-don't-break” defense is accomplishing one of its goals. On the other hand, time of possession has not been in the Big Green's favor even once this season, and that was quite apparent at Holy Cross as the Crusaders held the ball for 17 more minutes.

There were some standout performances among the defensive unit, particularly senior defensive tackle Eddie Smith, who equaled his career highs with nine tackles and a pair of sacks. Senior safety Joey Casey had a personal-best 13 stops, and senior corner Shawn Abuhoff joined senior linebacker Luke Hussey with 11 tackles.

Special teams continue to shine for the Big Green with Abuhoff getting a chance to return a few kickoffs. Well, until he ripped off an 89-yard return to the Crusader seven, making it the longest non-scoring play in Dartmouth history. After that run, Holy Cross went to the squib kick to keep him from breaking another big one.

The Big Green have won five of the past six meetings against Columbia, with the lone loss coming in a veritable monsoon in New York three years ago. In last year's comeback victory, Kempe threw for 235 yards and a touchdown while Schwieger broke loose for 124 — a far cry from the 242 he amassed two years ago at Memorial Field against the Lions — and two scores. The Dartmouth defense also provided four sacks in helping to contain Columbia quarterback Sean Brackett, who was held to 47 yards rushing while passing for 188.

McMani Expected Back Saturday
Both senior Tim McManus and his brother Ryan were knocked out of recent games with concussions. But both receivers are expected to be available against Columbia. The elder McManus is among the top six at Dartmouth in career receptions and receiving yardage, while the younger recorded his first four catches at Yale on Oct. 1.

Holy Cross High Notes
•    Senior Nick Schwieger added to his legacy by posting his 12th career 100-yard game with 112 on 22 carries. No other back has more than nine in Dartmouth history.
•    Schwieger also scored the 20th rushing touchdown of his career, becoming the fifth player to do so and first since Jon Aljancic '97.
•    Senior Shawn Abuhoff managed to return a kickoff 89 yards yet not reach the end zone. It is the longest non-scoring play in Dartmouth history.
•    Senior Eddie Smith equaled his career highs in tackles (9) and sacks (2.0), plus set a new mark for tackles for a loss (3.0).
•    Speaking of tackles, senior Joey Casey made a personal-best 13 stops, while linebackers Bronson Green and Luke Hussey each halted 11 Crusaders.
•    Freshman Bo Patterson caught his first career touchdown, a 13-yard pass from Conner Kempe in the fourth quarter.
•    Patterson and fellow rookie Kirby Schoenthaler were the top two receivers for Dartmouth, the second straight week two freshmen topped the team in receptions (top three against Yale).

Schwieger All-Time Leading Rusher
Although senior Nick Schwieger saw his streak of 100-yard rushing games end at four against Yale, he did surpass Al Rosier '91 as Dartmouth's all-time leading rusher. Rosier had 2,252 during his stellar career, but when Schwieger bolted six yards for a first down on his last run of the first quarter against the Bulldogs, the record was his. But Schwieger's 39 yards were his fewest since posting just 18 against Harvard in 2009 due to breaking his hand.

Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
The NFF selected Dartmouth senior linebacker Luke Hussey as one of 127 semifinalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the country across all levels. He is one of just four Ivy players among those listed and one of 33 from the FCS level. An engineering major, Hussey sports a stellar 3.94 GPA and is 10th in the Ivy League in tackles with 34. The NFF will select up to 16 finalists, each of which will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and vie for the Campbell Trophy to be awarded on Dec. 6.

Another TV Game on Tap
The first night game in the 130-year history of Dartmouth football was televised nationally by Fox College Sports (FCS), marking the 18th straight year the Big Green have had at least one game broadcast on TV. Well, Dartmouth will have an opportunity to end an 11-game television skid when it plays its second-ever night game, this time at Harvard on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. This time, the game will be shown regionally on FCS Atlantic.

Fletcher Staying Centered
Senior Austen Fletcher has been a mainstay on the offensive line since his freshman year. The center has started each of the last 31 games and 33 of 35 in his career.

The Block Party is Back
Last year, Dartmouth special teams managed to block six kicks, which ranked among the top 10 amongst all FCS schools. This year, the Big Green have proven the blocks were no fluke as they have equaled that mark already by rejecting two kicks in three of the first four contests. In the opener against Colgate, blocks on a short field goal attempt and a punt both proved pivotal in the 37-20 victory. Dartmouth then stuffed a Penn field goal and a PAT. Against Yale, it was a punt and PAT that fell victim to the special teams unit. Dartmouth is second in the FCS only to Portland State in total blocks.

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