Johnson Earns Player of the Week Awards; Football Ranked Again

HANOVER, N.H. — Dartmouth cornerback Isaiah Johnson was selected as not only the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week today, but also the Gold Helmet Award winner as the Division I player of the week from the region — selected by the New England Football Writers Association — for his play in the 31-7 victory over then-16th-ranked Princeton on Friday night. That victory helped catapult the Big Green back into the national rankings, tying for 22nd in the Stats Perform FCS Poll while debuting at No. 23 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.

The senior from Beverly Hills, Michigan, played a big part in the Big Green's 31-7 victory over then-16th-ranked Princeton on Friday night at Memorial Field. Not only did Johnson record six tackles, one assisting on a loss, and break up a pass, but he essentially put the game away with a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown just before the third quarter expired to boost Dartmouth's advantage to 24 points and complete the scoring as it turned out.

The interception was the first pick-six of Johnson's career, not to mention the first time he picked off a pass. The 6-3, 205-pound corner is fifth in the Ivy League (and second on the squad) with 54 tackles on the season and 11th with six passes defended.

Johnson is the sixth conference player of the week for the Big Green this year, joining linebacker Jalen Mackie (twice for defense), quarterback Nick Howard (offense), punt returner/wide receiver Jamal Cooney (special teams) and wide receiver Paxton Scott (rookie).

Dartmouth was previously ranked 22nd in the STATS Perform Poll three weeks ago after defeating then-23rd-ranked New Hampshire, but then fell out of the rankings when the Big Green suffered their only loss of the year the following week to Columbia. But with two more victories over ranked teams, Dartmouth could not be ignored by the pollsters.

The Big Green control their own destiny with an opportunity to claim at least a share of its conference-record 20th Ivy League crown. Dartmouth will play its final home game on Saturday, Nov. 13, when Cornell (2-6, 1-4 Ivy) comes to town, fresh off its first Ivy League win, for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ featuring Dick Lutsk and Matt Corsetti calling the action. Dartmouth fans can also listen to Brett Franklin and Wayne Young for free through the official website of Dartmouth Athletics, DartmouthSports.com.

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