The Dartmouth football team clinched its first winning Ivy League record since 2003 on Saturday, defeating Princeton University, 24-17, on senior day at Memorial Field. Co-captain Nick Schwieger '12 rushed for 157 yards and became the first Big Green running back to rush for over 3,000 yards in his career.
Due to a pair of upsets in other League games, Dartmouth (5-5, 4-3 Ivy) finished the season in a four-way tie for second place in the conference.
Just as he has been in every Dartmouth victory this season, Schwieger was a major asset, carrying 30 times for 157 yards, including the game-sealing run on fourth down late in the fourth quarter. He finished the season as the League's leading rusher for the second consecutive year, and increased his career rushing total to 3,150 yards.
Dartmouth started slow despite facing a Princeton offense that featured six freshman starters, including the quarterback, Quinn Epperly, who made his first college start. The Tigers (1-9, 1-6 Ivy) held a 14-6 lead with just over two minutes to play in the first half, but after a field goal by Foley Schmidt '12 cut the deficit to five, Shawn Abuhoff '12 picked off a throw from Epperly to give the Big Green the ball at its own 38-yard line with 1:05 to play.
Dartmouth moved to the Princeton 35-yard line when junior linebacker Andrew Starks was called for a personal foul penalty early in the drive. On the next play, Schwieger took a screen pass down the left sideline for a 23-yard gain. Conner Kempe '12 finished the drive with a pass to Bo Patterson '15 for a 12-yard touchdown reception. Although Schmidt's extra point was blocked for the second time in the game Dartmouth carried the momentum heading into the break.
Dartmouth's defense took over from there, limiting Princeton to just three points after halftime. While the Tigers were able to take the ball into Big Green territory, they struggled to move forward once they got to the red zone.
Nine Dartmouth seniors started on defense and made many of the biggest plays in the contest. Most memorably, safety Anthony Diblasi '12 picked off a throw from freshman quarterback Connor Michelsen at the Dartmouth five-yard line with 3:00 remaining in the game.
Dartmouth finished the season on a three-game winning streak, salvaging a respectable season after a 1-4 start.