Hanover
That’s also generally the scenario on the road, as it was last weekend at Holy Cross. Teevens, freshman receiver Hunter Hagdorn and junior cornerback Jarius Brown fielded questions about a victory that raised their team’s record to 2-0.
One problem: Brown, who had been on the field for only a handful of plays, was there by accident.
In the scramble to exit the Fitton Field press box, a media member had requested Darius George, a starting cornerback who forced a fumble and recovered another and would be named Dartmouth’s defensive player of the game. As in the old-school game of “telephone,” however, “Darius” was misunderstood as “Jarius,” and so Brown wound up at the microphone.
It wasn’t a problem. Brown was poised and articulate and represented his team well. But there was widespread puzzlement to which no one wanted to admit until the session was over and connections began to be made.
“He did a wonderful job,” Teevens said with a laugh. “He has a nice way with people and words and he’d like to get in with ESPN at some point.”
Teevens continued the moment’s humor when, during a Monday team meeting, he announced George’s award, but added that “accepting on his behalf will be Jarius Brown.”
Full Backfield: Dartmouth has enjoyed the services of standout running backs in recent years. Nick Schwieger, Dominick Pierre and Kyle Bramble have each been featured ball carriers at various times. This season, however, the Big Green appears to be doing it be committee.
Junior Ryder Stone is the de facto starter and has rushed 18 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. But it’s clear to see that sophomore Rashaad Cooper (62 yards) and senior Abrm McQuarters (40 yards) are going to get time. Last week, virtual unknown Miles Smith ran eight times for 72 yards and a touchdown, which came on the sophomore’s first varsity carry.
Teevens said it’s the deepest group of running backs he’s had during his second stint at Dartmouth.
“The thing I really love is that they support each other,” he said. “A lot of times you get selfishness and guys want to know why they’re not getting more carries, but we get none of that. You can slide guys in and out and it keeps guys fresh and competitive.”
Sidelined thus far by injury, but declared ready for tonight’s contest is sophomore Vito Penza, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound locomotive who often ran over opponents in limited action last season.
Foot-brawl: You don’t see many fights at Dartmouth practices because Teevens prohibits them and usually invokes punishment sprints for the team if the rule is broken. Tuesday, however, saw three separate bouts break out, with genuine anger on display.
A sense of growing tension took over a 1-on-1 pass-rush drill pitting offensive and defensive linemen against each other. An exercise meant mostly to work on technique began to feature more brute force than usual and a donnybrook developed in which one player ripped off the helmet of another and hurled it about 30 yards.
Another skirmish soon broke out and taunts and punches were exchanged. It carried over to a later matchup between the full offense and defense, and by this time, various participants were out for blood. Teevens was not amused.
“Way back in the day, I was a little bit more accepting of it, but our kids don’t have to prove anything,” he said. “Sometimes coaches had that ‘Let’s kill them’ mentality. Well, we’re on the same team.
“Something like that, there’s no place for it. I’ve addressed it and you won’t see it again.”
Playing Footsie: Dartmouth players are outfitted in top-of-the-line gear, so you don’t often hear of one who immediately takes a scalpel to his shoes. But that’s what starting cornerback Danny McManus does each time he gets a new set of kicks.
The Minnesotan carefully cuts a tiny X over the spot where his big toe meets the leather when he raises and extends it. He said doing so gives that area the needed flexibility to prevent jamming and pain when he suddenly stops or changes direction.
“I’ve been doing it since high school,” McManus said. “If you’re careful with the cuts, it doesn’t ruin the shoes.”
Notes: Dartmouth is wearing all-black uniforms for tonight’s game, which will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. … Harvard, Penn and Dartmouth shared last season’s Ivy title, and the Quakers’ only league loss was to the Big Green. … Penn is 0-2, with its losses coming to strong Patriot League foes Lehigh and Fordham. … Quakers dual-threat quarterback Alek Torgersen was a second-team All-Ivy pick last season. Running back Tre Solomon averages more than six yards per carry and receiver Justin Watson was a preseason All-American. … Dartmouth is 9-2 in televised games since a 2013 homecoming victory over Yale.