Randolph finished Saturday's game at Memorial Field in Hanover hitting 20 of 32 attempts for 259- yards and a touchdown. The Big Green fell behind early in the contest when Holy Cross' sophomore tailback Terrance Gass drove the ball into the endzone from three yards out, capping a seven-play, 53-yard drive. Dartmouth responded quickly, however, as quarterback Mike Fritz '07 darted across the field and scored on a 30-yard run, tying the game at seven-all. The Big Green then took the lead 14-7 in the second quarter when emerging running back, sophomore Hudson Smythe '09, ran the ball in from one yard out. The Crusaders were able to cut the lead to 14-10 before halftime on a 20-yard field goal by senior kicker Mike DeSantis. Dartmouth charged off the field at the midway point, having a halftime lead and poised to emerge victorious in front of a huge crowd filled with alumni.
The Crusaders narrowed Dartmouth's leading margin on their first drive of the third quarter, tallying three points on a DeSantis 23-yard field goal, and bringing the score to 14-13, Big Green.
Dartmouth responded quickly, with Smythe barreling in from three-yards out to score his second touchdown of the game. The Big Green took a 21-13 lead, and Memorial Field was buzzing with excitement.
Dartmouth's tough luck this season continued, however, when Randolph connected with junior wide receiver Ryan Maher on a 15-yard touchdown pass, and then, as a now-hushed Memorial Field crowd looked on in despair, hit junior wide receiver Thomas Harrison with a perfect pass to convert a two-point conversion and tie the game at 21-all.
Still, the Big Green had plenty of chances to emerge victorious on Saturday before the extra session, most notably when Andrew Kempler '08 misfired on a tough 38-yard field goal into the wind with two seconds left in regulation, sending the contest into overtime.
The Crusaders won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Dartmouth began its first overtime possession of the game with a handoff to Smythe, who was driven back three yards for a loss to the Holy Cross 28-yard line. Then two Fritz passes to wide receiver Brian Evans '08 fell flat, and the Big Green were faced with a fourth down decision.
Coach Buddy Teevens decided to go for a 45-yard field goal, an attempt to put some points on the board in the wild world of college football overtime. A bad snap forced holder Brian Scullin '09 to lob a desperation pass to Kempler, who hauled the ball in, but only for a seven-yard gain.
The Crusaders charged onto the field and drove the ball to the Dartmouth goal line, but were forced out of the endzone by a great Big Green defensive effort.
Unfortunately for the Big Green, Holy Cross was able to attempt a chip shot, 18-yard field goal. As DeSantis lined up for the kick, the swirling autumn winds and occasional shouts from the sidelines were the only noise to be heard in Memorial Field as both teams set up for what could very well have been the last play of the game.
The Big Green fans began to awaken and cheer, trying to distract DeSantis to no avail. The kick sailed through the uprights, allowing the Crusaders to come away with a dramatic and disappointing (for Dartmouth) 24-21 overtime victory.
The Big Green players were gathered on the sideline after the game when Holy Cross began dancing on the Dartmouth "D" in the center of the field. This was perceived as an insult by many Big Green players. Punches, and even crutches flew as a brawl broke out in the middle of the field. After nearly 10 minutes, the conflict was broken up by police and intervening members of each team's staff.
The Big Green travel to New York City next weekend to take on the rebuilt Columbia Lions (3-2, 0-2 Ivy League) who are coached by Norries Wilson. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
