Football Supplement | Ivy Players to Watch

If Penn wants to win the Ivy League, there are three top contenders the Quakers will have to deal with: Dartmouth, Harvard and Princeton. Therefore, it’s no wonder that each of those three schools have one of the top players in the Ancient Eight. Here’s a closer look …

Princeton senior quarterback Quinn Epperly: Epperly made a name for himself in a big way during the 2013 season, dominating defenses with both his arm and his legs. As a junior, Epperly became the most dynamic player in the Ancient Eight on either side of the ball, earning himself Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading the Tigers to a share of the Ivy title.

Against Penn last year, Epperly brought Princeton from 16 points down to a 12-point victory that helped cement the Tigers atop of the Ancient Eight. In the game, Epperley threw for 268 yards and ran for 53 more, scoring a combined four touchdowns. While he won’t have his favorite target — wide receiver Roman Wilson — to throw to anymore, the senior QB is still poised to be one of the best players in the Ivies this season.

Dartmouth junior quarterback Dalyn Williams: While Epperley was the Ancient Eight’s top offensive player, he was defeated in Ivy play by one QB: Williams. Williams was a true dual threat QB, running the ball as efficiently as he threw it. His skills were  best on display in Dartmouth’s third game of the year against Penn. Williams led the Big Green to the brink of an upset at Franklin Field, producing 369 all-purpose yards while scoring three touchdowns (one rushing).

If it wasn’t for a few missed field goals, Williams’ last-minute drive would have been the story of the evening. Dartmouth returns his top receiving targets from last season — Victor Williams and Bo Patterson — and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Big Green have another strong offensive year.

Harvard senior defensive end Zach Hodges: Who says offense deserves all the love? The Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year will be back in action for the Crimson this year and the 6-foot-3, 235 pound senior means business. Hodges had 6.5 sacks last season to go with 11.5 tackles for losses, making him first-team All-Ivy for the second consecutive year. He also displayed his defensive prowess in the Crimson’s matchup with the Red and Blue, recording a sack and forced fumble during Harvard’s win.

With Hodges returning, Ivy QBs will certainly have the defensive end in the forefront of their minds when they are under center against the Crimson. Expect another big year out of Hodges.

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