Someone has to finish last in the league. This year, Dartmouth is bringing up the rear of the preseason Ivy football poll. But head coach Buddy Teevens isn't miffed by the lack of confidence in his squad.
"The poll has never been accurate," he told reporters.
He should know. Dartmouth proved the pundits - who picked them to finish seventh - wrong last year. Instead, the Big Green finished eighth, with a 2-5 conference record and a 2-8 overall record.
Bad things come in threes, but Teevens is trying to avoid his third straight 2-8 season. With experience and health on his team's side, he believes that climbing up the standings is "doable."
On the offensive side of the ball, senior quarterback Tom Bennewitz is expected to run the offense. He's back on the field after missing all but one game last year with torn ligaments in his chest.
He should have no lack of targets despite the graduation of leading receiver Ryan Fuselier. Teevens called senior wideout Brian Evans "one of the fastest men in the league," and believes he is primed for a big year. Last season, Evans led the Ancient Eight with a per catch average of 17.8 yards.
The two tight-end set is a favorite for Dartmouth, and both Mark Brogna and Kevin Lowe are also seniors.
The offensive line has been a problem for the Big Green. They'll need to step it up if the team hopes to improve on its run game, which was second-to-worst in the Ivies. Teevens plans to "morph the tailback and fullback positions" by having Nate Servis and Hudson Smythe share carries. They combined for less than 400 yards on the ground last year.
Last year was also a disaster on the defensive side of the ball. The Big Green finished dead last in scoring defense.
The line is athletic but had trouble generating a pass rush, which made it difficult for the secondary. They only picked off three passes last year, and all of those starters return. A lone bright spot was the linebacking corps, with senior and All-Ivy selection Justin Cottrell now returning to lead the backbone of the defense.
Teevens is hoping that experience equals success this year. If that formula proves true, then Dartmouth may find itself once again stumping the press.
In a good way.
