Hanover
The “Red Menace,” as some of his teammates call him, is a junior who was recently honored as the Ivy League’s defensive player of the week. A product of Glenview, Ill., a northern Chicago suburb, Cascarano is notable for his blazing red hair and his nonstop effort. He produced four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery during Dartmouth’s 22-21 defeat of No. 22 New Hampshire last weekend.
Cascarano’s second sack forced UNH to turn the ball over on downs late in the game. It was then that he tore his helmet off and raced along the home sideline, earning an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the whistle, but also allowing Big Green fans to put a face with his name and his No. 93.
“He was exuberant,” coach said Buddy Teevens with a smile. “I’m not sure he will ever do that again. He thought he’d given (UNH) a first down and he was just in a panic.”
“Perform the role you’re assigned to your fullest, and your role will change. He’s a wonderful example of that.”
Another such example, junior defensive tackle and Louisiana native Davaron Stockman, lit up Thursday when Cascarano’s name was mentioned.
“That’s my boy!” Stockman exclaimed. “As a defensive line, we’re all balling out, but especially Kas. He’s a hard, hard worker and to see him go out there and do his thing, I was so excited.
“He has a good heart and he’s a good humble person.”
Cascarano is the last of three football-playing brothers. The eldest, Patrick, was a high school captain, but didn’t play at Yale, from where he graduated in 2011. Sean played on Virginia’s offensive line and now coaches at Chowan (N.C.) College. Brennan was Dartmouth’s 2015 defensive scout team player of the year, meaning he was the best at helping ready offensive starters for upcoming opponents by running their formations and stunts.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about my brothers when I play,” Cascarano said. “They absolutely led by example and I’d hear stories about them when I was growing up.”
He’s got at least one of his own to tell now.
After missing the better part of two weeks because of a hamstring injury, sophomore Bruce Dixon IV is expected to be Dartmouth’s backup quarterback today. Dixon exited spring practice ahead of Heneghan, but faltered and fell behind before his injury.
Freshman Jake Pallotta was last week’s backup, but he’s still learning the offense, so even a slightly gimpy Dixon is likely a better option. He’s practiced this week, looking capable at a reduced pace.
“There was a little rust on the pipes,” Teevens said. “You could see that with his release and accuracy. But … I didn’t see any problems or glitches so I think he will be full go.”
Injuries are a tricky subject on which to report. Provide full details from practice on a consistent basis and such workouts may then be closed to the media, as they are at many Division I schools around the country.
So let us note Dartmouth (1-0) will not be at full strength on defense for today’s game and leave it at that until it’s evident who does and does not dress against the Crusaders (1-2)
“We’re banged up a little bit,” Teevens said. “But the nice thing is we have some athletes, so we’re going to strap it on and go with what we’ve got.”
Those strapped up will face Holy Cross senior quarterback Peter Pujals, who leads the country in completions and is second in passing yards. His offense is ranked ninth nationally overall and third in passing. Pujals, who’s given Dartmouth trouble before, has run for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns during his career.
“He’s such a productive player and they put the ball in his hands a bunch,” Teevens said. “You don’t stop a guy like that, but you contain him as much as you can. You have to stay in your rush lanes and then do a good job on the back end in support.”
How about offensively, coach?
“They pressure you a bunch, but when you pressure, you open yourself to big plays,” Teevens said. “We’ve demonstrated the ability to make big plays and we have to do it with regularity.”
Notes: Holy Cross defeated Morgan State before losing to UNH and Albany, both of which were nationally-ranked when they faced the Crusaders. … Holy Cross coach Tom Gilmore is 67-71 in 13 seasons as head coach there. He spent eight years as a Dartmouth assistant. … The teams did not face each other last year, but have otherwise met every year since 1942 with the exception of 1951, 1964, 1998 and 1999. Games are booked through 2018 and the last three clashes have each been decided by three points. … In preparation for Fitton Field’s grass surface, the Big Green practiced all week on the natural turf of the Blackman Fields behind Burnham Field. … In a rare mid-season departure, Bill Samko is out as Holy Cross offensive line coach. No official reason has been given for the exit of the former head coach at Tufts, who coached the Jumbos for 17 years, stepping down in 2010 before moving to the Crusaders. Eight of the program’s nine remaining assistants have been with it for three years or less. … Today’s contest is Holy Cross’ homecoming game.