Now exactly half way into the season, the Dartmouth football machine appears finally to be up to speed, just in time for this weekend's high-spirited Homecoming game against Colgate.
Dartmouth, now 3-2 on the season, notched its first win of the year in the Ivy's last week, pummeling Yale 22-7. The Big Green looked strong on all accounts, notably in the field goal category, in which kicker Dave Regula '98 iced shots from 42, 40 and 35 yards.
Dartmouth's defense, ranked first in the Ivy's, submitted yet another overpowering performance, holding a highly-touted Yale offense to a single first-half touchdown and less than 100 yards on the ground.
Dartmouth also sported two quarterback's, Jon Aljancic '97, and Ren Riley '96, in an effort to re-ignite a snuffed out passing attack in recent weeks.
Coach John Lyons, indicating he liked the way the platoon method worked last week, said Thursday that while Aljancic will start, "both played really well against Yale, and so both will see time Saturday."
On paper, this Saturday's game against Colgate should be a wash for the Big Green. The Red Raiders of Colgate are 0-6 on the year, with two of their defeats at the hands of both Harvard and Brown, who currently occupy the cellar in Ivy League standings.
Colgate's defense has allowed an average of just over 30 points per game, while the offense is manufacturing a paltry average of 10.5 points a contest. Meanwhile, opponents have averaged a healthy 260 yards on the ground against a generous Red Raider defense.
Dartmouth, however, will be wary of the Red Raider team, which has looked increasingly desperate in recent weeks. If Colgate can open up its passing game, which has at times looked strong, Dartmouth may been in for a longer day than anticipated.
But the Big Green do have a score to settle of their own. Last year in the second week of the season, Dartmouth lost at Colgate 20-16, giving the Red Raiders one of their three victories during the 1994 season.
"I've made a point this week of telling our team that I believe Colgate is a better team than their record indicates," Lyons said, guarding his club against overconfidence.
Dartmouth's main motivation, however, may be against a letdown. After a tough loss in week three to Cornell, the Big Green have reeled off two strong wins for the first time all season, and an inkling of momentum has started to creep into Dartmouth's game.
While Dartmouth's offense, lacking a consistent air attack and clear leader at the quarterback position, is still undergoing a minor identity crisis, its feisty defense has been relentless, and the clear leader on the field.
The Big Green defensive 11 has proven to be toughest in crucial game situations, having not allowed a point in the last half of their last two games, and, amazingly, not a single fourth-quarter point since game one against the University of Pennsylvania.
A number of players have progressed much faster than anticipated this year in the defensive ranks. One example, hard-hitting linebacker Zack Walz '98, has continued to have one of the most devastating effects on opposing offenses.
Walz was named the Ivy League's co-defensive player of the week after five tackles (three for a loss), two pass deflections, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery in last week's game against Yale,
"The big thing that we have been emphasizing is that our problems were a result of mistakes that we were making," Lyons said. "Hopefully we can build off the play of the second half of the Yale game."
The most important thing for Lyons, however, amidst all the traditions and celebration this weekend, the bonfire, the rowdy marching band, the cheering students and alumni, is that Dartmouth adds to a homecoming tradition of its own -- victory.
Game time is at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Field.
