The Big Green football team needs to win its final three Ivy League games to get a shot at a fourth consecut....
Time out. Everyone knows this, and I am really sick of hearing the phrase "fourth consecutive Ivy League championship." Can't anybody just say "four-peat?"
Dartmouth must be more consistent on both sides ....
Who cares? Every single fan -- regardless of what team they cheer for -- who has been at any of the games in the last two weeks has left the games with their jaw drooping, simply saying "Wow."
A 15-point comeback against Cornell and then a 17-point comeback versus Harvard in the fourth quarter? These two games have been like the Old Milwaukee beer ads, "You know, guys, it just doesn't get any better than this."
You almost get the feeling that quarterback Jay Fiedler '94 and the rest of the Big Green are just being nice to their opponents. Here you go, Cornell (or Harvard). Have a big lead. We're going to get you in the end.
Really, this team is 19 points away from being 7-0, and they were seven inches away from seven of those points against Holy Cross.
And now what the Big Green really needs to push them to the magical four-peat (besides a Princeton victory over Penn this weekend) is one thing.
A nickname.
Every team needs one and Big Green really doesn't do it for, well, anyone.
They need something more exciting, something that captures the essence of this team, one of the most exciting, interesting teams Dartmouth has ever fielded.
A couple of years ago, when the Green Bay Packers were pulling games out in the final minutes, they were dubbed the "Cardiac Pack."
So for my first effort ... The Big Green (who'll make you scream one minute and cheer the next.)
Hey, I'm sorry. These things aren't easy. I'm willing to take suggestions.
Speaking of nicknames, what would Chris Berman do with this team? Andre Grant[ite of New Hampshire]? Ed Coker [Cola]? John [head for the] Hyland? And of course, Jay Fiedler [on the roof].
Have any other suggestions? Blitz The Dartmouth. The person with the best nickname wins a year's supply of coffee grinds.
But back to the team nickname.
Jay and the Miracles.
Now we're cooking. Jay and the Miracles. I like the sound of that.
And how can you describe the last two weeks as being anything but miraculous?
The margin of victory against Cornell was a blocked extra point that Joe Perry '94 returned for 85 yards and two points.
Harvard's starring quarterback Mike Giardi, who shredded the Dartmouth defense all game, was injured, leaving the intimidating Vincent Ferrara controlling the reigns of the Crimson offense.
Hey, that guy looked like he would be much more comfortable talking to President Freedman about Catullus than throwing a football.
Jay and the Miracles.
Yeah, Fiedler has had bad first halves the last two weeks. Yeah he has thrown seven interceptions. But his second half numbers have been unbelievable. Try this on for size -- 31 for 51 for 463 yards and five, count 'em five, touchdowns.
And let's spread the credit around. Coker, George Neos '93 and the rest of the Dartmouth defense came up some huge defensive stops when they needed to.
Pete Oberle '96 had a great game running the ball and Geoff Willison '94, sore ankle and all, didn't miss a kick all game and had two huge stops preventing touchdown returns for touchdowns.
Jay and the Miracles.
All they need to do is keep the miracles coming. We don't care how they do it. We don't care how many points they have to come back from.
Just as long as they do it.
Jay and the Miracles.
So sit back, enjoy the ride, hang onto your seats and ... go Dartmouth.
