Coming off a thrilling last-minute win against Yale University, Dartmouth football will travel to the Bronx, N.Y., this Saturday to take on the Fordham University Rams.
The energy was certainly high in Buddy Teevens Stadium last week, as Owen Zalc ’27 buried a 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Big Green over the Bulldogs, 17-16.
Defensive back Sean Williams ’26 and running back D.J. Crowther ’27 were crucial to last week’s win, both expressing the high morale in the locker room immediately following.
“Truly electric,” Williams said. “Everyone in there was very excited to be able to get that win.”
The high stakes contributed to the pride of victory felt by the team.
“We knew it was gonna be a fight,” Crowther said. “Being able to celebrate that in the locker room was definitely a great moment for us, especially on Homecoming.”
Head coach Sammy McCorkle said he was proud of the team’s composure despite the pressure.
“When things get tense and down to the wire, that’s when you really got to lock in and focus,” McCorkle said. “I was really proud of the way the guys kept staying the course.”
Williams was also named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week after making some huge plays during the game’s critical moments, including intercepting Yale’s quarterback Dante Reno on fourth down late in the final quarter. He sees this recognition as a reflection of the whole team rather than just himself.
“It’s a great honor personally and for the team,” Williams said. “Whenever you get those types of awards it’s never just one person actually getting that award … it’s the D-Line, linebackers, all that type of stuff.”
Williams and Dartmouth’s defense will have another chance to prove themselves against the struggling defense of the Rams.
So far this season, Fordham is allowing over 130 yards on the ground and 300 yards through the air per game. However, the offense stays consistent with their energy and planning.
“We just approach it like any other game,” Crowther said. “Do what we gotta do to win and just focus on us.”
This will not be the first time these two teams have faced off. Last year, Dartmouth hosted the Rams and won decisively, 45-13. Crowther and the rest of the running unit dominated on the ground, racking up 233 total rushing yards to Fordham’s 94.
“The biggest thing was my O-linemen,” Crowther said. “Trusting them to do the blocks and doing a good job of setting up those blocks, leading the linebackers to the double teams.”
Defensively, the Big Green have a few adjustments to make. Fordham is a pass-heavy, running-back-by-committee offense — very different from Yale, who frequently use star running back Josh Pitsenberger both on the ground and through short passes.
Williams and the secondary have prepared these adjustments throughout the week, which will have a key role in coming out on top against the Rams.
“They have really wide splits with their receivers, so it’ll be a little isolated defensive-back wise,” Williams said. “Being outside, taking the right leverage, making sure we have our steps right: [we will have to] make our technique picture perfect.”
McCorkle added that the secondary has to be “good with [their] eyes,” emphasizing that the little details will be key to securing a victory on the road.
After some stalling against Yale and tough turnovers against Penn, the Big Green offense will look to light up the scoreboard against the Rams. Red zone execution and being efficient in scoring positions will play major roles in Saturday’s contest.
“We’ve got to do a good job putting the ball in the red zone so that we can put points on the board,” Crowther said. His vision and strong running will be a huge factor in those situations.
When it comes to preparing for Fordham as a team, the tone stays consistent.
“The approach is a little different, getting ready to adjust to a more pass-heavy offense,” Williams said. “But as far as the mindset going into it, it’s the same type of approach when it comes to the details and making sure we get the small stuff right.”
Crowther followed up with a similar message, saying that “continuing to hone in on the small details and practicing with intent” have always been, and will continue to be, the keys for Dartmouth.
Needless to say, there are going to be some fireworks in the Bronx on Saturday afternoon. Tune in at 1 p.m. to support the Big Green as they take on the Fordham Rams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dartmouth: WR #19 Grayson O’Bara ’26, DB #13 Tyson Grimm ’26, RB #15 D.J. Crowther ’27
Fordham: LB #48 James Conway, WR #9 Jack Freeburg, QB #12 Gunnar Smith
