With the prospect of the first winless season since 1883 looming ahead, the Dartmouth football team is carrying a considerable burden as it heads to New Jersey this weekend to take on Princeton in the final game of the season. The Tigers, who currently sit in sixth place in the Ivy League, have won the past four meetings between the two teams.
Princeton's team this season (3-6, 2-4 Ivy), however, is not the team that won a share of the Ivy League title in 2006. The Tigers' Ivy record leaves them tied with Columbia (2-7, 2-4 Ivy), who beat Dartmouth, 21-13, in week six and now stands third-to-last in the conference.
Princeton and Dartmouth have had comparable offensive woes this season, scoring just 155 and 119 points, respectively. The Tigers are scoring an average of 6.2 points per game more than the Big Green. The Tiger defense has given up just 22.7 points per game, while the Big Green has given up 35 points per game.
Point comparisons aside, Princeton offers what is perhaps the most realistic chance, statistically, for the Big Green to gain a win since its matchup with Columbia. Dartmouth has a significant advantage over the Tigers in passing and special teams statistics, and only a slight disadvantage in total offense.
An influx of new talent in Dartmouth's starting lineup may also be giving the team reason for hope. New starting quarterback Conner Kempe '12 has performed admirably, putting up big passing numbers in his past two starts. Kempe has passed for 531 yards in just two games and has completed 55 percent of his passes. Kempe's immaturity, however, is still obvious -- he has thrown five interceptions in his two starts.
This is to be expected from a true freshman quarterback adjusting to the collegiate play. All things considered, Kempe has brought some life to an otherwise dormant offense with his strong arm.
No matter how well Kempe performs, Dartmouth's chances are significantly worsened if the team cannot get its running game off the ground. The Big Green has rushed for a measly 445 yards this season over nine games -- an average of less than 50 yards per game.
The Big Green's troubles this season could be due to a lack of depth at the back position, or perhaps to a battered offensive line that has been forced to rely on young, inexperienced players. Whatever it is, the team's running game has devolved to the point that it is no longer a legitimate concern for opposing teams. No matter how well Kempe and his talented receivers perform, their success will be limited if the running game does not establish itself as a presence.
On the defensive side of the ball, a number of players have performed well individually, but the team's execution has been inconsistent.
Freshman Shawn Abuhoff '12 has been a bright spot for the Big Green at the cornerback position, while Ian Wilson '08 and captain Andrew Dete '09 have had impressive individual seasons.
The defensive line, however, has been weak, as the Big Green has given up 2,189 rushing yards on the season, an average of 222.4 yards per game.
The Dartmouth football team will have possibly its best opportunity to salvage its season this weekend. Dartmouth kicks off against the Tigers on Saturday in Princeton, N.J.
