This article is featured in the 2025 Homecoming Special Issue.
Dartmouth is looking to bounce back from a tough loss last week as it takes on Yale University this homecoming Saturday.
“I think it’s going to be a really good matchup,” offensive tackle Delby Lemieux ’26 said. “I think it’s gonna be a really exciting game … the guys are ready.”
Dartmouth is back at home after two consecutive road games. The Big Green defeated Central Connecticut State University in a shootout, but fell short against the University of Pennsylvania 36-24 to open up Ivy League play.
Against Penn, quarterback Grayson Saunier ’27 had a down game, throwing two interceptions and only completing 53% of his passes.
He’ll look to rebound against the Bulldogs this weekend, with whom he already has a history. Last year against Yale, Saunier was the third-string quarterback at the start of the game. After getting on the field in the second quarter, he threw five touchdown passes and erased a 23-point deficit to clinch a 44-43 overtime victory. Prior to the game, he had never thrown a pass for Dartmouth.
Saunier’s success this Saturday will be dependent on the offensive line, who have only surrendered a single sack all season long. Led by FCS Preseason All-American Lemieux, the O-line will have to combat the prolific Yale pass-rush, who have seven sacks.
“We are aware of [them]” Lemieux said. “It’s really just about focusing on what we do, being very detail-oriented. Be really focused in our technique.”
On the other sideline, Yale’s Dante Reno also is looking to shake off his two interceptions in last week’s loss against Lehigh University. Dartmouth’s secondary is hoping to improve on last year's performance, where they intercepted Reno three times but surrendered over 400 yards and five touchdowns to him through the air.
To shake off the tough loss, however, will take confidence.
“Coach [Don Dobes] will do a great job putting us in the best position,” Defensive Back Sean Williams ’26 said. “We have to be confident that we'll be in place to make plays. And… make sure we capitalize.”
To beat the Bulldogs, the Big Green will have to win the ground game. Running back D.J. Crowther ’26 has been dominant this season. His 105 yards-per-game rank second in the Ivy League. The rusher ahead of him? Yale’s Josh Pitsenberger, who has over 300 yards and six touchdowns in just three games. Pitsenberger will be met by the dominant Dartmouth defensive line, led by Thaddeus Giannaris ’26, Dakota Quiñonez ’26 and others. They will have to slow Pitsenberger down to prevent a repeat of his performance against Cornell on Sept. 27, when he ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
D.J. is “an awesome teammate,” Lemieux said. “He’s a complete player. He really cares about this program, about this team, and you can see it in the success of our offense when he’s out there.”
Saunier will also be eager to contribute to the rushing attack; he ranks 10th among all rushers in the Ivy League in yards-per-game.
In the leadup to the game, Dartmouth has been focused on the little things during its preparations for the Yale game.
On Sunday “everybody was locked in, ready to roll,” McCorkle said. “And we know we have to do what we have to do to prepare this week for another big challenge.”
While either team may come out on top, what’s assured is that these two high-powered offenses are sure to create fireworks in front of Big Green faithful in Buddy Teevens Stadium.
When The Dartmouth asked Lemieux for a final message for the fans before this historic rivalry matchup, he kept it short and sweet.
“Go Big Green.”
