With 6,427 fans filling the Memorial Field stands, the Dartmouth football team capitalized on two long fourth-down conversions and a missed Sacred Heart field goal with less than a minute to play to eke out a 21-19 victory in its home opener over the visiting Pioneers on Saturday. One week after the team's 43-20 victory over Bucknell University, Dartmouth is celebrating consecutive games for the first time since 2003.
Sacred Heart had a chance to take a one-point lead with 49 seconds to go in the game when it lined up on the 21-yard line to attempt a 38-yard field goal, but the kick went wide to the left, sending the Dartmouth side into a frenzy.
"I expected us to block it," head coach Buddy Teevens said. "That was the feeling I had. I told the guys the next snap, We're going to win this ball game.' We do a good job and we block one earlier. Does that enter into a kicker's mind? Yeah I think it does on occasion, and the pressure it's a big kick, and he just pulled it."
Once again, the Big Green needed to overcome an early deficit with a strong second half to seal the win, as Dartmouth trailed 6-0 early and 12-7 at halftime, with the only score coming on a three yard rush by Dominick Pierre '14 in the middle of the second quarter following a conversion on fourth and eight earlier in the drive.
According to Teevens, it took a long time for the offense to get into a rhythm because it didn't get an extended period of time on the field until relatively late in the game.
"We struggled in the first half," he said. "They had the ball a lot, and offensively we didn't have the chance to get our legs up underneath us. We need to play well as a team, get them off the field and maintain control of the football. Possession time is a big thing we're running the ball, and they had us by a good bit."
Going into halftime, the team found itself in the same position as last week's game against Bucknell. The Big Green's ability to bounce back from halftime deficits is a sign of growth for the program, and shows that the team believes in its style of play even when trailing in games.
"Coach Teevens never really needs to say a lot," defensive tackle Eddie Smith '12 said as he described the atmosphere of the locker room at halftime. "We have good team awareness and we know what we're doing wrong and what we need to do to fix it. And that's exactly what we did to secure the victory at the end of the day."
The offense finally clicked in the third quarter, scoring twice to take the lead and provide some insurance points for the defense.
Dartmouth was rolling on its first drive of the half before it stalled at the Sacred Heart 24-yard line and faced a fourth and six. Confronted with the choice between a 41-yard field goal attempt and a chance to take control of the game, Teevens made the call.
"I thought it was a nice opportunity for [quarterback Conner] Kempe ['12]," he said. "It was critical, obviously, for the win."
The gamble paid off. Kempe hit tri-captain Tim McManus '11 on a deep pass to put Dartmouth on the one yard line. Two plays later, Kempe forced himself into the endzone to regain the lead for the Big Green, 14-12.
Kempe went 16-30 for 154 yards and one interception on the day.
After holding the Pioneers to a quick three-and-out, Dartmouth picked up where it left off, gaining four first downs on six plays to start its drive and capping the series with another touchdown run by Pierre to put the score at 21-12.
Despite allowing a touchdown to Sacred Heart in the fourth quarter, the defense held long enough to protect the Big Green's lead and ensure it left the field with a win. Tri-captain Pat Scorah '11 led the way for the Big Green defense with 13 total tackles, including seven solo tackles. Smith and Connor Phillips '12 wreaked havoc from their defensive line positions, while outside linebacker Tyler Melancon '12 provided a sack.
"It's an amazing feeling," linebacker Luke Hussey '11 said. "Having the confidence going through the week, dealing with everything that goes into preparation for each week everything goes a little bit easier. You have a little more boost in your step. It's been a long time since we've had a little win streak."
Hussey pointed to the crowd's intensity as a major reason for the team's play on Saturday.
"The energy we had running out before kickoff, the feeling that I had, I have never come close to that since I've been here," he said. "[It was] such a rush to hear all the fans cheering and have all the music going."
The Big Green suffered a setback even before taking the field, receiving news during breakfast that morning that Nick Schwieger '12 who notched 273 all-purpose yards against Bucknell last week would be inactive with flu-like symptoms.
"I just made the announcement that Schwieger is nicked up a little bit, nothing serious and next guy in," Teevens said. "That's how we'll go. The guys didn't flinch."
With Schwieger incapacitated, the load fell on freshman running back Pierre, who had seen only limited action in the Bucknell game but turned in an impressive performance against the Pioneers, running for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
"My number was called," Pierre said. "I was a little nervous, being a freshman and all, but it was good overall."
Pierre finished the game with 25 carries and a 4.4-yards per carry average. He also added two catches for 12 yards. Pierre credited the offensive line for his effective production.
"The O-line did a great job," he said. "Definitely made it easy for me."
This Saturday, Dartmouth travels to Philadelphia, Penn., to take on the University of Pennsylvania Quakers last year's Ivy League champions at 3:30 p.m. on Franklin Field in its first conference game of the season.
Staff reporter Georgino Hyppolite contributed to the reporting of this article.
