Dartmouth Preview

The Yale Bulldogs host the undefeated Dartmouth Big Green at the Bowl on Saturday in a crucial Ivy League matchup. Kickoff is slated for 12 PM ET and the game will air on ESPN+.

Dartmouth’s offense is led by senior QB Jackson Proctor (6’2”, 210 lbs.) who has completed 66.7% of his passes for 578 yards, 5 TDs, and only one interception through three games. Proctor looks much improved from a year ago when he threw two interceptions versus the Bulldogs and has the speed to run the ball on designated rushes or when the pocket collapses. Proctor gets rid of the ball very quickly and rarely strays from his first read. Senior RB Q Jones (5’11”, 190 lbs.) was an honorable mention All-Ivy performer last season and is off to a strong start to 2024 with 4.3 yards per carry. Junior RB Desmin Jackson (5’10”, 185 lbs.) is another explosive back for Dartmouth averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Senior WR Paxton Scott (6’1”, 200 lbs.) could be the best receiver in the league and has hauled in 20 catches for 232 yards and a score. Junior TE Chris Corbo (6’4”, 245 lbs.) is targeted often and leads Dartmouth in touchdown receptions with two. The offensive line averages 288.0 lbs. across the board and is a very cohesive unit that does not make mistakes often. The line paved the way for 4.9 yards per carry against a talented defensive front from Penn and only allowed one sack in the contest. Dartmouth will likely be looking to control the clock with runs from Q Jones and keep the defense guessing with play action passes, quick hitting routes, and downfield shots to wideouts or tight ends. The Bulldogs will need to find a way to make Proctor uncomfortable in the pocket while blanketing Scott with a corner and safety support. In the ground game, Yale needs to set hard edges and have linebackers get off blocks to plug inside gaps before Dartmouth’s speedy backs can reach top speed.

The Big Green’s defense is by far the most talented squad on the schedule through the first four games. Penn’s QB looked panicked and made uncharacteristically poor decisions against the unit a week ago. The defensive line is very stout led by senior Josiah Green (6’1”, 280 lbs.) who was a 2nd Team All-Ivy selection last year and has added 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks to his career totals so far this season. Senior Ejike Adele (6’2”, 270 lbs.) is another great defensive lineman for the Big Green with similar productivity to Green with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Dartmouth’s linebacker corps of Danny Cronin (6’3”, 230 lbs.), Micah Green (5’11”, 230 lbs.), and Braden Mullen (6’4”, 240 lbs.) is a deep and experienced unit. Green is tied for the team lead in tackles with 14, while Mullen is tied for the team lead in sacks with 2. Dartmouth’s secondary is very quick to jump routes which could nullify the short WR screens that Yale utilizes. Junior DB Sean Williams (5’9”, 190 lbs.) was a 2^nd Team All-Ivy performer in 2024 and is tied for the team lead in tackles with 14. Junior DB Patrick Campbell (6’0”, 190 bs.) leads the team in pass breakups with 3 and senior DB Zach Farris (6’0”, 190 lbs.) has the lone interception for the Big Green’s defense. Penn had chances to exploit Dartmouth’s passing defense but struggled with inaccurate or delayed passes, penalties and dropped balls. Jordan will need to make strides from his first full start last week with some help from the big men up front to challenge Dartmouth’s defensive backs. In the ground game, Yale needs to build upon the momentum established last week to move bodies up front and spring Pitsenberger loose.

Sophomore K Owen Zalc (5’10”, 165 lbs.) is 6 of 7 on field goal attempts with an impressive long field goal of 50 yards. Senior P Davis Golick (6’1”, 210 lbs.) averages 39.5 yards per punt with a long ount of 51 yards. Sean Williams can be a dangerous punt returner if not kept in check. There will be no margin for special teams miscues this week against a strong Ivy League foe.

Go Bulldogs! Beat the Big Green!