"It was really important to start off with a victory," said Kempe, who completed 17 of 23 passes for 211 yards. "It does wonders for our confidence going into the next game."
Despite trailing 20-9 at the half, Dartmouth shut out the Bison (0-3, 0-0 Patriot) 34-0 in the second half to turn a close game into a blowout. After Bucknell's first drive of the second half resulted in a missed field goal, the Big Green forced three three-and-outs and an interception.
Unlike its opponent, Dartmouth's first four drives of the second half all went for touchdowns. A 56-yard interception return by Shawn Abuhoff '12 with 5:23 to go in the game put the icing on the cake in a big victory.
Dartmouth also failed to punt for the first time in 19 years while piling up 481 yards of offense under new coordinator Jim Pry.
Schwieger amassed 216 yards rushing on 25 carries and caught five passes for 57 yards. His performance placed him third on the Big Green's all-time single game list earning him Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors.
"It was definitely a great way to start the year," Schwieger said. "Everybody did a really great job. It's not so much for me as it is for the entire team."
Schwieger also scored on touchdown runs of 56 and 11 yards, doubling his previous career total.
Dartmouth was behind early as Bucknell jumped out to a 13-0 lead. Two Drew Orth field goals and a two-yard pass from freshmen quarterback Brandon Wesley to Travis Friend accounted for the Bison's points.
"We allowed some big plays that hurt us [in the first half]," Big Green head coach Buddy Teevens '79 said.
Midway through the second quarter, the Big Green responded with a three-play touchdown drive set up by Abuhoff's 42-yard kickoff return.
A few plays after the return, on second-and-eight from the Bucknell nine, Kempe connected with tight end John Gallagher '12 for Dartmouth's first touchdown of the year.
Things went downhill from there, though, as a point-after attempt was blocked and the Bison responded immediately with a touchdown of their own. On the first play of the next drive, Wesley hit Victor Walker for a 58-yard gain all the way to the Dartmouth six. Wesley then connected with Tern Ityokumbul on the next play to give Bucknell a 20-6 lead with 5:56 to play in the half. The Bison would not score for the rest of the game.
A subsequent 38-yard field goal by Foley Schmidt '12 made it 20-9, Bucknell, at the half.
Dartmouth came out hot to start the third quarter. After a holding penalty gave Dartmouth second-and-15 from its own seven, Schwieger got the drive rolling with a 30-yard gain.
The Big Green mixed short passes from Kempe with a steady diet of Schwieger to march down to the Bucknell 16, where Kempe connected with Michael Reilly '12 for a score to make it 20-16.
Bucknell couldn't respond on the next drive, as Orth missed a 43-yard field goal attempt, giving the Big Green the ball back at its own 26. On the third play of the drive, Schweiger took the handoff from Kempe on a draw, busted through the middle, and didn't stop until he hit paydirt 56 yards later, giving Dartmouth a 23-20 lead with 2:17 to play in the third quarter.
"They sent a blitz, I had to make the first guy miss and because of the blitz, there wasn't much behind that," Schweiger said.
After a sack by Eddie Smith '12 led to a three-and-out for the Bison, Steve Morris '11 blocked a Bucknell punt, and on the next play, Kempe hit Reilly on a deep route for a 41-yard score. For the second time, Schmidt's point-after attempt was blocked by Josh Eden, but the offense marched down the field for another touchdown on the following series, sealing the deal.
Tyler Melancon '12 led the way for the Dartmouth defense, tallying two tackles for a loss including one sack, while Garrett Wymore '13 led all Big Green tacklers with seven takedowns.
Dartmouth returns to action on Saturday for its home opener against Sacred Heart University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Before the game, Alpha Delta fraternity will co-host the first of five College-sponsored tailgates, which are part of an effort to increase student attendance at games, event organizer Mike Lewis '11 said. The event will feature Big Ray's Catering, kegs of root beer and cream soda, and a performance by the Dartmouth Aires, Lewis said.
The pre-football game events are sponsored by the Athletic Department, the President's Office, Student Assembly and several Greek organizations. Students and community members from "all different corners of campus" are encouraged to attend, Lewis said.
Staff writer Angie Yang contributed to the reporting of this article.
