No. 22 Dartmouth Remains Undefeated With 20-16 Win Over CCSU

Saturday, October 19

Hanover, N.H.

1:00 PM

Dartmouth College

5-0 , 2-0

Central Connecticut State

3-4 , 2-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Central Conn. St.

Dartmouth

No. 22 Dartmouth Remains Undefeated With 20-16 Win Over CCSU

10/19/2024 6:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

Big Green improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2021

HANOVER, N.H. — Sophomore quarterback Grayson Saunier ran in both of Dartmouth's touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner with 5:13 remaining, as the Big Green football team improved to 5-0 with a hard-fought 20-16 win over Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon at Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field. On their ensuing possession, the Blue Devils drove to the Dartmouth 6-yard line, but Dartmouth's defense stood tall to force a turnover on downs, securing the victory.

With the win, the Big Green improved to 3-0 at home for the first time since 2019 and wrapped up a perfect nonleague record for the time since 2021. CCSU fell to 3-4, but two of those losses have come against FBS opponents, one by only four points to UMass.

"I felt every phase was a big part of that victory," said Sammy McCorkle, Robert L. Blackman Head Football Coach. "I thought offense, defense and special teams all stepped up and did a good job, especially in the second half. It took the whole team; CCSU is a very good football team. We knew that going in; we knew every phase was going to be a battle."

The reigning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, Saunier was calm, cool and collected in anchoring the Big Green offense. He finished 15-of-21 passing for 177 yards. He also ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

"I definitely felt confident, but props to Coach Daft and the rest of the quarterback room," said Saunier. "We all prepare every single week as if we're the starter. We prepare every single week and we feel comfortable. No matter if you're the third string or the second string or whatever, you have to be ready.

"Coach Mac says it all the time, the next guy has to be ready," Saunier continued. "We're all in it together."

A balanced offense saw three Big Green with three or more catches: Paxton Scott (four for 37), Desmin Jackson (four for 28) and Daniel Haughton (three for 55). In the process, Scott moved into fourth place in program history for career receptions, now with 161.

Q Jones led Dartmouth with 51 rushing yards, with Desmin Jackson adding 49.

CCSU's 16 points marked its season low against an FCS opponent. Micah Green led the Big Green in tackles for a second straight week and third time in the last four games, finishing with 10. Ejike Adele, Danny Cronin and Josiah Green each had six, as they combined for 3.5 tackles-for-loss.

The Blue Devils got on the board with 3:19 left in the first quarter as former Big Green wide receiver, and current CCSU graduate transfer, Isaiah Boston finished off a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone. That capped off a 14-play, 68-yard drive which took 6:51.

Early in the second quarter, Dartmouth got down to the CCSU 3-yard line, but couldn't punch it in. Instead, Owen Zalc knocked through a 22-yard field goal to pull the Big Green within 7-3 with 10:45 on the second-quarter clock.

After CCU answered with a field goal, the Big Green drove 78 yards on 10 plays. A key play came on 3rd-and-3 when Saunier found Corbo for 31 yards to the CCSU 40-yard line. The drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown rush from Saunier. After the extra point, the score was deadlocked at 10, which proved to be the halftime margin.

Grayson Saunier with the rushing touchdown and we are level at 10 late in the second quarter!

Gameday Central ➡️ https://t.co/eqmpeo5dv7 #TheWoods #GoBigGreen pic.twitter.com/cWHGJbVaKo
— Dartmouth Football (@DartmouthFTBL) October 19, 2024

The Big Green may have been trailing if it wasn't for Jordan Washington, who blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half. It was Washington's second field goal block of the season (the other being against Fordham in the season opener).

A thing of beauty 😎

Jordan Washington with his second blocked field goal of the season late in the first half!#GoBigGreen #TheWoods pic.twitter.com/5HGJ1TdA3o
— Dartmouth Football (@DartmouthFTBL) October 19, 2024

In the third quarter, a 12-play, 64-yard Dartmouth drive ended with Zalc's second field goal of the afternoon, a 36-yarder, to give the Big Green their first lead at 13-10.

Less than four minutes into the fourth, CCSU capped off a seven-play, 66-yard with a 13-yard rushing touchdown from Jadon Turner. The ensuing extra point was missed, keeping the Big Green within 16-13.

Later in the quarter, Sean Williams sparked the Big Green on special teams with a 26-yard punt return, along with a CCSU facemask penalty, which started the Dartmouth drive at the CCSU 32-yard line.

That's why he's an All-Ivy returner!

Sean Williams with the big play, then add a 15-yard facemask and the Big Green are in business!

Gameday Central ➡️ https://t.co/eqmpeo5dv7 #TheWoods #GoBigGreen pic.twitter.com/2BGqMfUuPt
— Dartmouth Football (@DartmouthFTBL) October 19, 2024

The Big Green capitalized in seven plays, as Saunier rushed in his second touchdown of the day, from one yard out, to give Dartmouth a 20-16 advantage with 5:13 remaining.

Grayson Saunier punches it in to give the Big Green the lead back!

Gameday Central ➡️ https://t.co/eqmpeo5dv7 #TheWoods #GoBigGreen pic.twitter.com/QcSgUpJdBs
— Dartmouth Football (@DartmouthFTBL) October 19, 2024

Boston made a big 31-yard catch to set up CCSU 1st-and-goal, but a 3-yard rush followed by three straight incompletions gave the ball back to Dartmouth. Two kneel downs officially wrapped up the victory.

For the game, total yards were 317-315 in favor of CSU, with the Blue Devils holding a 204-177 edge through the air and the Big Green tallying a 138-113 advantage on the ground.

"It wasn't always pretty, it didn't always work, it wasn't always good plays, but I thought our guys kept just going and leaned on each other," said McCorkle. "We said you're going to go out there and you're going to have a 1-on-1 battle, but you're going to have to go out there as a team and win this game. That was the big difference. We played as a team and were fortunate enough to end up on the right end [of the result]."

The Big Green hit the road next weekend to play at Columbia. Opening kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Dartmouth returns home in two weeks to welcome Harvard on Homecoming and Healthcare Appreciation Day. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Questions can be directed to the Athletics Sales Office at athletics.sales@dartmouth.edu or by calling (603) 646-2466.

NOTES: With his four catches on Saturday, Paxton Scott moved into fourth place in program history with 161 in his career, passing Hunter Hagdorn (2016-19) … The Big Green improved to 3-0 all-time against CCSU … Dartmouth entered the weekend No. 22 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and 24th in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll … CCSU graduate transfer Isaac Boston finished his Big Green career with 35 receptions for 354 yards and a touchdown.