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 the second Big Green running back to surpass 2,000 yards in his career.
Fellow running back Dominick Pierre '14, who added 65 yards and a touchdown to the win, complemented Schwieger with effective running between the tackles.
"We talked all preseason about how this first game was going to be a statement game and set the tone for the season," Schwieger said. "We were getting such a great push and movement up front that sometimes the edge would collapse and I'd get to see daylight."
Quarterback Conner Kempe '12 struggled, throwing for 62 yards and completing just one pass a 19-yard touchdown toss to captain Tim McManus '11 to a wide receiver. He avoided turning the ball over, however, 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.
Like Dartmouth, Colgate (1-2, 0-1 Patriot) usually relies on a strong running game on offense, but with All-American senior running back Nate Eachus on the sidelines, the Raiders had to lean on McCarney.
Although he lauded the defensive line for limiting Colgate's scoring, Dartmouth head coach Buddy Teevens said at a post-game press conference that the Big Green still has plenty of room to improve.
"We didn't get ourselves off the field defensively and that was a disappointment," Teevens said. "They had five double digit drives. I thought our tackling, especially on the quarterback, was suspect. But limiting the big play was very important for us. They had a lot of snaps and there were long drives where they don't come up with any points."
Defensive end Connor Phillips '12 particularly shined, making five tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble.
"I thought Connor came off the edge real well," Teevens said.
Safety Joey Casey '12 and linebackers Luke Hussey '11 Th'12 and Bronson Green '14 were also effective for the Dartmouth defense, as the trio combined to make 32 tackles.
Big Green special teams also worked together to produce excellent play on Saturday afternoon. Captain Shawn Abuhoff '12 a double threat as punt/kickoff returner and cornerback 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.
Later in the game, with just under two minutes to go in the third quarter and with Colgate 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 McManus 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.
Teevens said he was pleased with the victory, and made clear that the Big Green players have their eyes set on larger goals for the 2011 season.
"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.
The installation of lights at Memorial Field was completed over Summer term, following a donation from Friends of Dartmouth Football and Chris Jenny '77 and his wife, Andi Jenny.
Dartmouth will play on the road next weekend against Sacred Heart University a team that the Big Green narrowly defeated in 2010 thanks to a last-minute field goal miss.
