The Bulldogs travel to Hanover for a pivotal showdown against the Dartmouth Big Green. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 PM and the game will air on ESPN+.
The Big Green enter the matchup with a 2-1 record following a shocking loss to the Penn Quakers in Philadelphia a week ago. A fumbled punt return, poor long snap that led to a safety, and two interceptions were too much for the Big Green to overcome against an Ivy rival. The Big Green defeated talented squads in the first two weeks of play with a 27-20 win over New Hampshire and a 35-28 victory over CCSU.
The Big Green’s offense is led by junior QB Grayson Saunier (6’2”, 215 lbs.) who has completed 65.4% of his passes for 793 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Saunier is a true dual threat quarterback with the lower body of a running back and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry with 3 rushing touchdowns on the season. In Dartmouth’s overtime win over Yale in 2024, Saunier torched the Bulldogs for 276 passing yards, 84 rushing yards, and a combined 5 touchdowns. Senior RB DJ Crowther (5’11”, 215 lbs.) has played very well averaging 5.2 yards per carry with 6 rushing touchdowns. Dartmouth always finds ways to get their backs involved in the passing game and this year is no exception as Crowther has 9 receptions for 63 yards. Senior WR Grayson O’Bara (6’1”, 190 lbs.) has been dominant with 15 receptions for 250 yards (16.7 yards per reception). Senior WR Daniel Haughton (6’1”, 190 lbs.) led the Big Green in receiving yards a year ago but has been limited due to injuries. Sophomore WRs Ky’Dric Fisher (6’0”, 175 lbs.) and Luke Rives (5’11”, 175 lbs.) have combined for another 8 catches for 149 yards. Senior TE Chris Corbo (6’5”, 250 lbs.) leads Dartmouth in receptions with 17 and is very hard to bring down in the open field. Reno will need to fire up some old Cole Champion highlights to show how Champion dealt with bruising tight ends. The Big Green’s offensive line averages 305.0 lbs. across the board and is a very disciplined unit. 5th year senior OL Konstantin Spork (6’5”, 305 lbs.) has seen playing time since his freshman season and is the anchor of the unit. The Big Green’s line has paved the way for 4.8 rushing yards per attempt and have only given up 5 sacks through 3 games. This is a contest that will be won or lost in the trenches as the Big Green like to control the clock and keep defenses off balance. Expect a heavy dose of Crowther on the ground, while Saunier will likely look to take off downfield when the pocket collapses. If the Bulldogs overcommit to stopping the run, the Big Green could make them pay with targets to O’Bara and Corbo.
Dartmouth has a strong defense that has been put in tough situations after offensive or special teams miscues. The Big Green have only allowed 3.3 yards per carry and have been tremendous on third downs limiting opponents to just a 30.3% conversion rate. Senior LB Zyion Freer-Brown (6’1”, 240 lbs.) has been all over the field for Dartmouth with 20 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Senior LB Thaddeus Gianaris (6’2”, 240 lbs.) is a strong edge rusher with 19 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, and a team-high 2 sacks. Senior NB Tyson Grimm (6’1”, 215 lbs.) leads the Big Green in tackles with 22 through 3 games. Senior DB Patrick Campbell (6’0”, 195 lbs.) has been very impactful and is tied for the team lead in solo tackles with 11. The Big Green’s defensive line is led by the stout senior Dakota Quinonez (6’1”, 285 lbs.) who has been a handful for opposing linemen with 16 tackles and 2 quarterback hits. Junior DE Joshua Johnson (6’2”, 265 lbs.) and senior DL Joe Onuwabhagbe (6’2”, 265 lbs.) are two physical defensive linemen that will need to be accounted for. The Big Green have not been stellar against the pass as they have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 70.7% of passes for 7.1 yards per reception and 6 passing touchdowns. Jordan threw for over 400 yards on Dartmouth last season and Dante Reno will need substantial production improvements in this contest to keep it close. Yale will need to find rushing lanes for Pitsenberger and company as heaping the pressure on Dante Reno could spell doom. If Dante cannot show progression from last week’s disastrous performance, it might be time for McCaughey or Howe to step in.
Junior K Owen Zalc (5’10”, 165 lbs.) earned 1st Team All-Ivy awards in 2023 and 2024. Through 3 games, Zalc is 3 of 5 on field goal attempts with a long of 36 yards. Sophomore P Luke Armistead (6’1”, 205 lbs.) averages 41.8 yards per punt and has placed one punt inside the redzone. Junior WR Ian Scott (5’11”, 175 lbs.) is a dangerous punt returner who will test our punt coverage.
Go Bulldogs! Beat the Big Green!