If you know that the football team is taking on Yale this weekend, most of you figure reading this preview is not worth reading. Dartmouth is unbeaten in their last 21 games, Yale has found themselves in the winning column just five times in those 21 games. The Big Green has won seven in a row against the Bulldogs, including three straight victories at the Yale Bowl in New Haven. Dartmouth is 4-0 on the season while Yale comes in at 1-3. Yet, the Big Green's opponent this weekend presents more problems than can be seen by streaks and records. The Bulldogs won their first game two weeks ago against Valparaiso and followed that up by battling with a Bucknell squad who defeated Ivy League heavyweights Harvard and Penn. Furthermore, Yale is just now adjusting to the system of new Head Coach Jack Siedlecki, who took over for legendary coach Carm Cozza this season.
Quarterbacks:
Pete Sellers '98 has provided what Head Coach John Lyons demands of his quarterbacks: consistency. Sellers is completing passes right around Lyons' desired 60%, which means that the team can effectively balance their running and passing games. Sellers has thrown for more than 200 yards in his last three games and has produced big plays, including two tosses for 40-plus yards last weekend .
For Yale, sophomore Joe Walland is now firmly entrenched as the starter after his strong start against Bucknell. In his first career start, Walland completed 14 of 21 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. He will certainly be tested by the Dartmouth pass rush and secondary
Advantage: Dartmouth
Running Backs:
Dylan Karczewski '99 stands out as the Big Green's top offensive threat, as he is second in the league in all-purpose rushing yards. A threat both running outside and catching the ball in the flat, Karczewski is the one player defenses must key on, which might be tough for Yale, which ranks last in the league in stopping the run. However, Karczewski needs to prove that he can run between the tackles consistently to become a big-time back.
As poor as their passing game has been for most of the season, Yale has focused on running the ball and has done a good job, ranking third in the league with 141 rushing yards per game. Jake Molland has been consistent, pounding out over 80 yards per game. This is a battle between quantity and quality. It may not matter though as Dartmouth is fourth in the nation against the run.
Advantage: Even
Wide Receivers:
This is barely even a comparison. Dartmouth receivers Zach Ellis '98, Ken Bollens '98 and Eric Morton '97 form one of the top pass receiving units in the league, and both Ellis and Morton are threats every time they touch the ball. Ellis enters the game with leading the team in both receptions and yards.
No Bulldog receiver has more than 10 catches on the season. James Borden is a tall receiver at 6'4" with good speed, but has had trouble getting the ball.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Offensive Line:
The Big Green offensive unit has played well of late, not allowing a sack of Sellers in the past three contests and allowing him plenty of time to find open receivers. The run blocking has been adequate but the team has struggled running the ball in between the tackles and playing smash-mouth football.
Yale returns three starters from last year's squad allof whom weigh over 280 pounds. Their running game has been slightly stronger than the Big Green's and face a strong test in the excellent Dartmouth pass rush. This was Yale's weakest unit a season ago.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Defensive Line:
The Big Green's front four have recorded 12 sacks already this season and have spread the wealth around. Scott Hapgood '97 has three,
opposite end Damon Blechen '98 has two and tackle Brent Crombie '99 leads the team with four sacks. The line has been the most dominant part of the defense.
Yale's defensive line has not played up to expectation as the Bulldogs rank last in every defensive category in the Ivy League. Their top lineman, Adam Hernand,is best known for being leveled by quarterback Jon Aljancic '97's block during homecoming last season in Hanover.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Linebackers:
If opposing teams have focused on stopping outside linebacker Zach
Walz '98, they've done a poor job. Walz leads the team with 50 tackles and has 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks to add to his resume. Jon Gibbs '99 is second on the team in tackles with 40.
Todd Scott returns as Yale's top defender, an honorable mention pick last year. He returns as the team's leading tackler and scored two touchdowns last year on defense. Isaiah Wilson recorded eight sacks and 20 tackles a year ago and has been converted from defensive end. The Bulldogs don't have anybody as talented as Walz, but the unit is good.
Advantage: Even
Secondary:
As poor a match up as the wide receiver match up, and since the two have a direct correlation, it could be a long day for the Yale passing game. Dartmouth's secondary does give up a lot of yards, but also comes up with big plays, intercepting nine passes in the first four games, returning two for touchdowns. Brad Jefferson '98 and Tom Reusser '00 have been solid on the corners but might have a challenge stopping the 6'4" Borden over the middle.
Part of the defensive unit that gives up a league-high 408 yards per game, the secondary for Yale is no better, also ranking last in the league in passing defense.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Special Teams:
While special teams has been a strength for Dartmouth, they have not been as explosive as the early part of the season. Dave Regula '98 is one of the two best kickers in the league, but punter Wayne Scholbohm '00 has been erratic in the past weeks despite a good performance against Fordham.
Bulldog special teams have been part of the reason for Yale's 1-3 starts as they lack a proven placekicker and have consistently had poor field position because of inexperience among their kick returners.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Intangibles:
Last year, Yale was Dartmouth's breakout game in the fourth game of the season, winning 40-6 on homecoming. Even though they are 4-0, Dartmouth has yet to play a complete game on offense, defense and special teams. They need to find that momentum against a weaker Yale squad.
Yale on the other hand is starting to play well and faces a test of how far they have come against the Big Green.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Prediction:
Dartmouth should win this game regardless of which Yale team shows up, the one that has played well the last two weeks or the one that got hammered in their first two games. If Dartmouth can stop Yale's running game and make them throw early and often, this game could get ugly. On the offensive side of the ball, Dartmouth should be able to throw deep on Yale's secondary and get some big plays.
Final Score: Big Green 28, Yale 9