The Crusaders (3-3, 0-1 Patriot League) boast a 6-0 record against the Big Green (2-2, 0-2 Ivy) over the past six years, and head coach Buddy Teevens is 0-10 in his career against Holy Cross. In last year's confrontation, the Crusaders defeated Dartmouth 34-14 in Worcester, Mass.
While Holy Cross enters the game riding a two-game winning streak, Dartmouth looks to end its own two-game losing streak with an edge in the home contest. The Crusaders, however, are 0-3 in away contests so far this season.
"I think the crowds and the turnout has been great at home, which has been better than the last few years," center Austen Fletcher '12 said. "That should be to our advantage."
Dartmouth averages 28 points per game, leading the Crusaders, who post an average of 18.5 points per game. Holy Cross, however, leads the Big Green in third-down conversion percentage by a margin of 41 percent to 36 percent.
From an offensive standpoint, Dartmouth has several goals to penetrate the Crusader's defense, Fletcher and Teevens said. Holy Cross has held its opponents to an average of 156.5 rushing yards, 237.5 passing yards and 22.2 points per game this season.
Registering an average of 155 rushing yards per game, Dartmouth, however, again looks stronger than the Crusaders who average 92 rushing yards per game.
"We want to establish the run game which will allow us to open up the pass game to open up new plays," Fletcher said.
Teevens stressed precision during offensive execution, emphasizing the importance of finishing drives.
Quarterback Conner Kempe '12 boasts a 56.5 percent completion percentage, and ranks third in the Ivy League after throwing a total of 785 yards so far this season.
Wide receiver Michael Reilly '12 tops the Big Green squad with 15 receptions this season, averaging 23.7 yards per catch.
In terms of defense, Dartmouth will focus on countering Holy Cross's throwing game, Teevens said.
The Big Green defense has held its opponents to an average of 171.5 rushing yards, 233.8 passing yards and 24.2 points per game this season.
After graduating quarterback Dominic Randolph, the Crusaders have the possibility of playing either of two quarterbacks, senior Ryan Taggart and junior Kevin Watson.
"They have talented wide receivers and protect the passer well," Teevens said. "The big thing is to limit their drives. We need to get their offense off the field, and establish field position with special teams."
Holy Cross will come into the game with momentum after a 17-13 victory over Brown University last weekend, while Dartmouth looks to redeem itself after a last-second loss to the Bulldogs last weekend.
Big Green running back Nick Schwieger '12 fumbled with just over a minute left in the game, allowing the Bulldogs to capitalize on the turnover by knocking the winning field goal in off the post for the last play of the game.
"There is obviously some added motivation for me, so I am tying to do the best that I can to have a big day [against Holy Cross]," Schwieger said. "Personally, I am working on ball security and working on my reads, and trying to make big runs."
Rushing for 129 yards, Schwieger exceeded 1,000 career rushing yards against Yale.
"It was a good moment, but I am hungry to get more yards," Schwieger said. "I am trying to get the 2,000-yard mark by the end of the season. I can't be satisfied."
Tri-captain Tim McManus '11 also reached a personal milestone when he caught his 100th career reception against the Bulldogs.
The weekend before the loss to Yale, Dartmouth succumbed to defending Ivy champion University of Pennsylvania in overtime at 35-28.
"Each of the past two weeks, we have been right there and looking for a win and came up short," Teevens said. "This weekend, [the Crusaders] are a solid football team and we need to finish the game and make the plays at the end successfully."
After confronting the Crusaders this coming Saturday, Dartmouth will have completed the first half of its 10-game season. Despite the 2-2 overall record and lack of an Ivy win so far, Teevens said he still thinks the team started the season strongly.
"I am really impressed with the competitiveness of our guys," he said of the team. "That is markedly different than in recent years. [Being] in the position to win a ballgame in the final minutes is progress, but [there is] no satisfaction."
After facing Holy Cross, the Dartmouth football squad continues its search for its first Ivy win on the road against Columbia University on Oct. 23.
