Schwieger became the sixth Dartmouth player to receive the Bushnell Cup and the first to earn the honor since Jay Fiedler '94 in 1992.
"Winning [the Bushnell Cup] is a great honor and privilege," Schwieger said in an interview with The Dartmouth. "So many great players had won this award before, and to be considered amongst them is a great honor."
After bursting onto the scene with an impressive sophomore year, Schwieger became Dartmouth's main option as tailback in the 2010 season. He led the League in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards despite playing in only nine of Dartmouth's ten games.
Schwieger finished the season with 1,133 rushing yards, which is the second most in Dartmouth history. Carrying the ball a total of 242 times, Schwieger averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 125.9 yards per game, which currently ranks sixth among all Fox College Sports players.
Schwieger scored 14 rushing touchdowns in the season, tying the school record. His 84 points were the most scored by a single player at Dartmouth in 40 years.
"I was really happy for the team and for Dartmouth," he said. "I hope winning this award will get people excited about Dartmouth football next year."
Schwieger rushed for over 100 yards six times during the season and once topped 200 yards in a game, when he darted for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against Bucknell University.
Sitting at 1,840 yards in his career, Schwieger needs only 413 yards to pass Al Rosier '91 and become Dartmouth's all-time leading rusher.
"I was very satisfied with my season," Schwieger said. "I would have liked to play in a full 10-game season and see what I could have done."
Schweiger missed one game of the season due to illness.
Other nominees included University of Pennsylvania quarterback Billy Ragone and Princeton University wide receiver Trey Peacock.
Schwieger was not the only Dartmouth athlete to receive a major award. Defensive back Shawn Abuhoff '12 was named to the Sports Network/Fathead.com Football Championship Subdivision All-American first team as a punt returner.
Abuhoff became the 25th Dartmouth player named as a First Team All American and the first since Casey Cramer '04 in 2002. He was chosen as a punt returner, though he also logged significant time as defensive back and kick returner for the Big Green.
Abuhoff said, however, that the award was not individually earned.
"After I found out, I immediately called a couple guys on the punt team," he said. "For a punt returner, it's all about the team's blocking abilities."
Abuhoff returned 18 punts for a total of 310 yards, and tied a Dartmouth record by taking three returns for touchdowns. His average of 17.2 yards per return was the third best average in the nation.
Abuhoff also contributed in other ways. On defense, he registered four interceptions and 45 tackles. On kickoff returns, Abuhoff averaged 26.4 yards on 22 returns, which ranked 21st in the country.
"[Abuhoff] can make a play at any moment," teammate Austen Fletcher '12 said. "He has the ability to make game-changing plays."
Fletcher added that Abuhoff and Schwieger also contribute off the field.
"They are both great teammates and really great leaders," he said. "They lead by example on the field and in the weight room."
Charles Bay '11, Tim McManus '11, Ryan O'Neill '12, Abuhoff and Schwieger were all chosen by the League's coaches to represent Dartmouth on the All-Ivy First Team. Two other Big Green players were chosen for the Second Team and three more earned honorable mentions.
"It's great to see so many of our guys recognized," Schwieger said. "It's especially great to see our offensive line and wide receivers getting the recognition."
Although the Big Green's 2010 record was its best since 1997, there were several games that the team narrowly lost.
"It's great to see how far the team has come from the 0-10 season my freshman year," Abuhoff said. "But there is unfinished business. We need to win these close games."
The Big Green returns 20 of its starters next year as it hunts for the program's 18th Ivy League title.
