McNamara Latest Ivy Football Player of the Week

HANOVER, N.H. — The Ivy League announced its weekly football award winners today, and Dartmouth linebacker Will McNamara received the Defensive Player of the Week honor. This is the second weekly award for McNamara in his career and the sixth for a Big Green football player this season — one following each game thus far.

A 6-0, 230-pound junior from Chicago, Ill., McNamara recorded a game-high 11 tackles, the fourth straight game in which he has reached double digits, in the 27-7 victory at Columbia on Saturday. One of those stops went for a loss and four others held the Lions to either no gain or a single yard. But his biggest play came early in the fourth quarter when he picked off a Lion pass at the four-yard line to dash any hope for the home team in pulling off a comeback during the final 15 minutes of action.

McNamara currently leads the Ivy League in tackles at 10.8 per game, more than two full tackles ahead of the next player, and ranks 11th among FCs players.

The first time McNamara won this award came exactly one year ago when he intercepted two Columbia passes and returned both for a touchdown. His three picks versus the Lions are the only ones of his career.

Other Big Green players to be named an Ivy Player of the Week this fall are junior quarterback Dalyn Williams (co-Offense) after the season opener, senior kick returner Kirby Schoenthaler (Special Teams) after week two, junior nickelback Frankie Hernandez (Defense) twice for his performances against Penn and Holy Cross, and senior wide receiver Ryan McManus (Offense) following a 38-31 win at Yale on Oct. 11.

Dartmouth has had at least one player recognized by the Ivy League as a weekly award winner for eight straight weeks dating back to last season.

Getting a mention on the Honor Roll this week were senior quarterback Alex Park, who threw for 268 yards on 29-of-42 passing in his first start in two years, junior running back Kyle Bramble thanks to a career-high 126 on 23 carries with a touchdown, and junior wide receiver Victor Williams, who caught the first two touchdowns of his career among his six receptions for 68 yards.

In addition to the recognition from the league office, McNamara was selected the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.

Dartmouth (5-1, 3-0 Ivy) hosts the biggest game at Memorial Field in 17 years when 20th-ranked Harvard (6-0, 3-0 Ivy) comes to town with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. The Crimson have won 10 straight meetings with the Big Green, and the victor this year will be the lone remaining undefeated team in conference play. The showdown will be broadcast live on NBC Regional Sports Networks, including CSN New England, with Eric Frede and former Big Green quarterback Brian Mann '02 calling the action. Dartmouth fans can also watch the telecast live online by subscribing to Big Green Insider on the Ivy League Digital Network (ILDN), and free audio is available on the ILDN with Dick Lutsk and Wayne Young calling the action on 99Rock, WFRD 99.3 FM in Hanover.

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