McNamara, McManus Named Ivy Players of the Week

HANOVER, N.H. — The Ivy League office announced its Football Players of the Week following the first weekend of games, and Dartmouth was honored with two players receiving accolades. Dartmouth seniors Will McNamara and Ryan McManus were chosen as the league's Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, for their contributions to the Big Green's 31-10 victory at Georgetown.

A 6-1, 235-pound linebacker from Chicago, Illinois, McNamara was a big part of the defensive effort that limited the Hoyas to 10 points. His biggest play came early in the second quarter with Dartmouth sporting a 14-7 lead when Georgetown lined up deep in its own territory and dropped back into the end zone to pass. Facing pressure, the quarterback threw back across the middle where McNamara lurked, and he was able to bat the ball into the air before securing it and barreling eight yards for a touchdown. It was the third time he brought back an interception for a touchdown in his career, matching the total of all Big Green players combined this millennium. McNamara also had six tackles — one shy of the team high — and recorded a QB hurry on a third-down play in the fourth quarter.

McManus, a 5-11, 195-pound wide receiver who doubles as the punt returner for Dartmouth, displayed the form that earned him All-Ivy First Team honors at both spots last year. He totaled 102 punt return yards (12 shy of the program's single-game record) on just three attempts, the first providing the spark to jump-start the Big Green from a 7-0 deficit late in the first quarter. The native of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, recorded a career-long 63-yard punt return before being brought down at the Hoya 10, setting up Dartmouth's first touchdown of the afternoon. He later added returns of 23 and 16 yards, not to mention caught four passes for a team-high 65 yards.

Both players received a weekly honor from the league office for the third time in their careers. McNamara has earned the defensive award once in each of the last three seasons, while McManus picked up the offensive award twice last year. Only Zach Walz '96 and Michael Runger '14 have earned the defensive honor four times in a career for the Big Green.

Dartmouth will christen the newly renovated West Stands and the new press box at Memorial Field this Saturday in the home opener against Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live via Big Green Insider on the Ivy League Digital Network featuring Adam Giardino and Wayne Young '72 calling the action. Audio of the broadcast can be heard live on 99Rock (WFRD 99.3 FM) locally on the radio and around the world online. Visit ILDN.tv for more information on how to subscribe to watch the game on your computer, tablet or mobile device.

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