Schwieger has not only been consistent, but also just recently set a new Dartmouth career rushing record during the Big Green's loss to Yale University on Oct. 8. In his collegiate career, Schwieger has amassed 2,391 yards, easily surpassing the previous record held by Al Rosier '91. Schwieger and Rosier are the only two Dartmouth rushers to gain over 2,000 rushing yards in their careers.
With his 112-yard effort against the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday, Schwieger became the first Dartmouth player to rack up over 100 rushing yards in 12 career games.
Schwieger, a native of Norton, Mass., currently leads the Ivy League in rushing yards, ranks in the top 10 for total offense and is in a tie for fourth for touchdowns scored.
"He's the most dominant player in the Ivy League," Co-captain wide receiver Tim McManus '12 said. "It's fun to be able to play at the same time as him. His confidence does a great job of uplifting the team."
Schwieger, a team co-captain, said he has been interested in football since a young age.
"My dad always liked football," Schwieger said. "He nurtured that interest in me, and it was a game I liked and a game that I was good at."
Although his father initially picqued his interest in the sport, Schwieger said his play is most inspired by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead, who played collegiate football at Division II Chadron State College, setting several NCAA records. Schwieger noted similarities between Woodhead's and his own game.
Schwieger said the interest his dad sparked in him as a child has continued to factor into his Dartmouth football career.
"A lot of people going into college lose the reason why they started playing the game in the first place," co-captain cornerback Shawn Abuhoff '12 said. "Nick plays with a passion, and a lot of people feed off of that. He sets an example of how to enjoy the game."
McManus echoed Abuhoff, calling Schweiger "a really special player" who hasn't assumed any airs despite his well-publicized success within the Ivy League. Last year, Schwieger shared the premier Ivy League honor, the Player of the Year award, with former Harvard University running back Gino Gordon.
"And, despite all his talent and ability, he doesn't take it for granted," McManus said.
Team members said Schwieger has not let his work ethic falter.
"He pushes deep to help the team in any way he can," Abuhoff said. "He's a hard worker, [and] when it comes down to the weight room, he is the first person in and the last person out, pushing himself and those working out with him."
Schweiger's teammates said that while he is an individual star on the field, Schwieger also improves the Big Green's overall play.
"He does a good job of spreading success to the supporting cast," McManus said. "That's why guys want to go out there and play with him he's a humble guy."
Abuhoff said Schwieger has increasingly become a vocal leader on the team since the season has progressed.
"The biggest thing with being a captain is that you have to show leadership on and off the field," Schweiger said. "You have to stay positive when times are tough and get on people when they need that."
Schweiger's optimism as captain has influenced younger players, McManus said.
"He does a good job of holding guys accountable when [they] need to be inspired, pushed along and encouraged," he said. "He does a good job mentoring the young guys."
Schweiger's consistent playmaking allows him to lead by example, according to Abuhoff.
"We know going into games that Nick is going to be very solid and perform at his top level," Abuhoff said.
Although the Big Green has encountered recent difficulties on the field, Schwieger said that he has not given up on Dartmouth's season. Schweiger said he hopes the team can go undeafeated in its final five games.
"[The team] has struggled, [but] the senior class has worked really hard," he said. "We want to turn this season around and, of course, win Homecoming."
With just those five games left of Schwieger's four-year college football career, Schwieger said he is not sure what lies next for him after graduating from Dartmouth.
"[I want to] see where football goes, maybe get into some teaching," Schwieger said. "The end goal might be an athletic director."
