With two blocked kicks and a big day on the ground from Nick Schwieger '12, the Dartmouth football team started its 2011 season in impressive fashion, recording a 37-20 win over Colgate University at Memorial Field on Saturday.
Dartmouth (1-0) rode a ruthlessly efficient game to victory, finishing with 258 rushing yards on 39 carries. Schwieger led the team with 175 yards, pushing his career total to 2,015 and making him just the second Big Green running back to surpass 2,000 yards in his career.
Dominick Pierre '14 complemented Schwieger with effective running between the tackles, adding 65 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Conner Kempe '12 struggled he threw for just 62 yards and had eight completions but avoided turning the ball over, allowing Dartmouth's strong running game to shine.
On defense, the Big Green was able to generate fairly consistent pressure up front. Colgate sophomore quarterback Gavin McCarney handled Dartmouth's defense well, however, completing 26 of 34 passes for 200 yards. McCarney, in just his third career start, also added 122 yards and three touchdowns, showing impressive scrambling ability in making several plays outside the pocket.
Dartmouth's special teams play was particularly impressive. Captain Shawn Abuhoff '12 began the performance by blocking a Colgate field goal on the final play of the first half, ensuring that the Big Green headed into the break with a 13-7 lead.
Then, with just under two minutes to go in the third quarter and Colgate (1-2, 0-1 Patriot) punting, a sea of green converged on Raiders punter Evan Goldszak, who was helpless to prevent the block. Dartmouth defender Alex Shulman '12 got his hand on the ball, and the Big Green converted the opportunity on the very next play, when Kempe hit wideout Tim McManus '11 on a fade to the corner of the end zone to put Dartmouth ahead, 30-14.
Kicker Foley Schmidt '12 connected on a career-high three field goals, including two from 40-plus yards, to help seal the Dartmouth victory.
Dartmouth head coach Buddy Teevens said after the game that he was pleased with the victory, and made clear that the Big Green has its eyes set on larger goals.
"We're happy but not satisfied," Teevens said.
Dartmouth begins conference play against two-time defending Ivy League champion University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 1 in the program's first-ever night game.
Dartmouth will play on the road next weekend against Sacred Heart University a team that the Big Green narrowly defeated thanks to a last-minute field goal miss in 2010.
