Dartmouth football takes their traveling-road show to New York City this weekend to face Fordham in search of a 4-0 start to the season. After surviving a scare against Cornell, the Big Green hope to extend their nation-best unbeaten streak to 21 games against the Rams. Fordham brings a 2-3 record into the contest but have lost their last three games. The Rams were buried 45-14 last weekend by Brown despite leading 14-10 at halfitime.
Even though they are 3-0, Dartmouth definitely has areas in which they need to improve. Foremost among these is penalties, as Dartmouth is averaging almost 11 penalties per game.
Quarterbacks:
Pete Sellers '98 winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter not only gave the Big Green a come-from-behind victory but answered questions about whether the senior signal-caller could direct the team to a comeback win. Sellers's stats are not spectacular, but he has been solid throughout the year leading the offense.
Fordham's quarterack controversy seems to be resolved as Dan Madine has firmly planted himself in the number one position. Regardless, Madine isn't spectacular and completed less than 50 percent of his passes.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Running Backs:
"We knew he could play coming in and if you didn't know that before, you know that now," Cornell safety Chris Allen said of tailback Dylan Karczewski '99. Karczewski earned Ivy League offensive player of the week honors for his 190 yard performance on 34 carries against the Big Red. He is averaging 103.3 yards a agame on the ground..
On the Rams side of the ball, running back Joe Shaw proved he can play with the big boys by rushing for 77 yards and catching another 107 out of the backfield against the Bears. In addition, Shaw has had two 100-yard outings this season.
Advantage: Even
Receivers:
Zach Ellis '98 may have three touchdowns and lead the team with 15 catches, but last year's All-Ivy selection has benefitted from the outstanding play of Ken Bollens '98 who caught 7 passes last week for 123 yards and was the go-to-guy for most of the game. However, don't expect Dartmouth to throw the ball that often.
Playing without top speed threat Lary Leith, Fordham has focused on throwing toWayne Simmons, who caught nine passes a week ago.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Offensive Line:
Dartmouth'sline play has been superb, not allowing a sack in the previous two games and opening holes for the emerging ground game.
Fordham's line could not get the ball moving against a strong Princeton defensive unit that compares to Dartmouth's defensive squad. They managed only to gain 56 yards in 29 carries against the Tigers.
Advatage: Dartmouth
Defensive Line:
The defensive line has been the strength of the Big Green defense, helping to key the nation's second-best run defense. Even more impressive has been the pass rush from the line, which has accounted for 16 quarterback pressures and eight sacks. End Scott Hapgood '97 has returne to his strong 1995 form.
Fordham ranks 108 out of 118 teams in Division I-AA total defense and the holes are everywhere for the Rams. The defensive line has struggled getting to the quarterback and against the run, allowing over 360 yards rushing to Colgate.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Linebackers:
Zach Walz '98 won the battle for best Ivy League linebacker last weekend against Cornell's John Hanson with an outstanding perfomance that included a fumble recovery. Walz has been supported by thestrong play of Dan Liebsch '98 and Jon Gibbs '99, all season.
Fordham's linebackers are always out of sync because of their team's inability to stop anybody. Not sure whether to play the run or the pass , their linebackers are not playmakers and have been an non-factor.
Advantage: Dartmouth.
Secondary:
The Big Green may finally be able to celebrate not facing a team that is going to throw the ball 50 times a game. After facing 143 pass attempts in the first three games, the secondary should get a brief rest before Dartmouth gets ahead and Fordham begins to throw the ball. In every game this year Dartmouth has had a player with two interceptions.
Surprisingly, Fordham's pass defense has been solid as teams have preferred to run all over the Rams rather than throw on them. But teams such as Brown have stuck it to them in the air as well with four touchdowns.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Special Teams:
The vaunted Dartmouth third unit took the week off last weekend, making stupid penalties while struggling on both kickoffs and punts. This unit, however, remains a strength for the Big Green thanks to placekicker Dave Regula '98 who now owns the Ivy League career field goal record.
The Rams gave up back-to-back blocked punts for touchdowns last weekend that cost them the game and turned the momentum around.
Advantage: Dartmouth
Intangibles:
Dartmouth won against Cornell last weekend but didn't play outstanding football and should look to improve this week. The Big Green have won three straight versusthe Rams.
Fordham needs to rebound after three straight losses and would love to knock off the Big Green and end their unbeaten streak. Patriot League teams always get up to play Ivy teams.
Advantage: Fordham
Prediction:
Dartmouth will run the ball andplay smash-mouth football on their way to an easy victory in the Big Apple.
Final Score: Big Green 31, Rams 7
