After a frustrating 27-10 loss to Sacred Heart University last week, the Big Green will hit the road on Saturday and resume Ivy League play against Columbia University. The Big Green (3-2, 1-1 Ivy), which is currently tied for fourth place in the Ivy League, will play its final four games against Ivy League teams.
"We're really getting into the heart of the league right now, so everything we want to accomplish in the Ivy League is still on the table," Michael Runger '14, whose total of 45 tackles this year leads the team, said.
Against Columbia (1-4, 0-2 Ivy), the Big Green will try to re-install a balanced offense attack that sputtered last week against Sacred Heart. It is still uncertain if starting running back Dominick Pierre '14 and number one receiver Michael Reilly '12, both injured last week, will play in the game, according to head coach Buddy Teevens.
Pierre currently leads all Ivy League runners with 110.2 yards per game.
The Lions' defense is ranked 10th in the Football Championship Series with three sacks per game, led in part by junior linebacker Zach Olinger, who is currently second in the Ivy League with 50 tackles this year.
"It's going to be a complete team effort on our part," Teevens said.
The Big Green are the top-ranked passing defense in the league, meaning that Columbia, behind powerful running back Marcorus Garrett, can be expected to repeatedly run the ball against Dartmouth.
"We definitely need to bounce back and play better against the run," Runger said. "I think we're focusing a lot on that."
Garrett is right behind Pierre in the Ivy League among runners with 108.6 yards per game.
Last week, the Big Green could not bring down Sacred Heart running back Keshaudas Spence, something that must change if the Big Green wants to control the time-of-possession battle.
"That's going to be a key," Teevens said. "They're physical. They're much improved. They throw the ball well."
Lions senior quarterback Sean Brackett has amassed 6,526 career yards, good for 10th best in Ivy League history. Brackett is only 189 yards behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, Harvard University alumnus and starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
While the Big Green has beaten the Lions in eight of the team's past 10 meetings, including a 37-0 thrashing last year, the Lions' renewed program emphasis, fresh facilities and a homecoming weekend crowd will create a tough atmosphere, according to Teevens.
"It's certainly a big game for them," Teevens said.
Prior to the game, Columbia will dedicate the Campbell Sports Center, which is the university's first new athletics facility since the 1970s.
Dartmouth must get out to a fast start to overcome these conditions, something it has failed to do in the past few weeks.
"Getting off to a good start will be really important, just to keep them from getting any momentum," Runger said.
While the Big Green will face its toughest test of the season next week under the lights against Harvard on Homecoming weekend, the team must remain focused for Saturday's matchup.
"In this league, any given Saturday, anyone can have success," Teevens said. "We need to play better than they do on Saturday."
Here is a look at what papers around the Ivy League are saying about the upcoming game.
Columbia Daily Spectator: Columbia over Dartmouth. Columbia stalled a few hearts last week at Penn, and with its offense finally starting to click, Dartmouth's defense might be in for a long day.
Yale Daily News: Columbia over Dartmouth. Columbia is due for an upset and barely lost to a mediocre Penn team that beat Dartmouth by a touchdown earlier this year.
The Harvard Crimson: Dartmouth over Columbia. Between Columbia and Yale, the two should win one Ivy game this season (when they play each other). I see Dartmouth having no trouble against the Lions on Saturday.
The Daily Princetonian: Dartmouth over Columbia. The Lions' play was interesting last week, but they probably don't have a repeat performance in them.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: Columbia over Dartmouth. My upset pick of the week did you know Columbia has the No. 13 rushing defense in the FCS?
The Dartmouth: Dartmouth over Columbia. If Dartmouth loses this game, its Ivy League season is effectively over. On the road, Dartmouth picks up the "W," though a bit too close for comfort. Dartmouth 14, Columbia 13.
