In a game marked by dominating defense and at times hapless offense, the Big Green defeated Fordham on Saturday by a score of 31-14.
From the beginning of the contest it was clear that the defense would play a significant role. Dartmouth's first drive ended on a failed fourth down pass attempt, and the subsequent two possessions -one by Fordham and one by Dartmouth- were both unimpressive three-and-outs. At that point, both team's offenses began to fall apart completely.
Fordham's next two drives resulted in interceptions, with Dartmouth defenders Brian White '95 and Brian Crowell '96 each getting one pick.
Dartmouth's third possession was no more successful than the first two: a fumble recovery by Chris O'Leary at the Fordham 27-yard line.
The rest of the first quarter continued much the same way, other than a 9 play, 32-yard Dartmouth drive which resulted in a 30-yard field goal by freshman Dave Regula.
The real excitement of the afternoon began at six seconds into the second quarter, with Dartmouth quarterback Ren Riley '96 throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to David Shearer '95 (6 catches, 67 yards).
Unfortunately, the rest of the second quarter was somewhat lacking offensively, with both teams displaying signs of a definite struggle.
"We were a little sloppy in the first half," said Riley. "We should have shut the door on Fordham by scoring more in the beginning and we didn't."
Ram quarterback Joe Moorhead (5 for 16 and 39 yards) gave White his second chance to intercept early in the quarter, then he was pulled out in favor of John Pohlman, who fared somewhat better (two three-and-out drives, one safety on a tackle by Dartmouth's Jeff English '96).
Two Riley QB keepers - one 6-yarder, one 7-yarder - resulted in a half-time score of 24-0, as well as a feeling among Dartmouth fans that the game was headed for a major blowout. Indeed, Fordham's offense had been completely confused and frustrated in the entire first half, surrendering a total of three interceptions, four sacks, and one safety.
Amazingly, yet not surprising in retrospect, the Rams managed only one first down (compared to the Green's eleven), and had a mere 20 yards of total offense (Dartmouth's total: 198 yards).
In the second half, Moorhead returned, only to be sacked twice and then intercepted by Dartmouth co-captain Josh Bloom '95. The only salvation in the quarter for Fordham was a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Marciano, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Dartmouth did very little offensively in the third quarter, as Riley (11 for 23, 147 yards) and the Big Green offense managed only 32 yards and two first downs.
The rushing game, which had been highly productive in the first 30 minutes of play (14 rushes, 56 yards for Pete Oberle '96, 98 yards total) was stagnant in the third quarter, gaining only 20 yards on 9 rushes.
The passing game was similarly unproductive for the Dartmouth team, with Riley only able to complete two passes, one to Shearer and another to Andre Grant '95. However, as the third quarter came to a close, the score was Dartmouth 24, Fordham 8.
There was to be no chance of a Fordham comeback. In the final quarter, the hapless Rams fell apart completely, most notably in the area of pass defense.
Time and time again they failed to pressure Riley, who took the opportunity to organize a workman like 7 play, 48 yard drive which resulted in a fumble recovery for a touchdown by J.J. Coslet '97.
While the Rams did manage to add a touchdown later in the quarter on an extended drive, it was a clear case of "too little too late." When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Dartmouth 31, Fordham 14.
The Dartmouth/Fordham game was a textbook example of howa team can dominate a game both on offense and defense. While the Big Green struggled at times with their execution, they were clearly too much for the Rams (0-4) to handle. The Big Green (1-2) now look forward to next week's game at Lafayette.
"We want to take the Lafayette game as seriously as the one with Fordham," Riley commented. "It's important because it's a major stepping stone to the Ivy League schedule."