Dartmouth Visits Princeton for Final 2012 Ivy League Battle Against the Tigers

The 5-4 Dartmouth Big Green visit New Jersey on Saturday to close out their schedule against the 5-4 Princeton Tigers in the season-ending game for both clubs. The Tigers, who have shown marked progress this year under head coach Bob Surace, are currently in second place in the Ivy League with a conference record of 4-2. The Penn Quakers lead the Ivy League with a conference mark of 5-1.

Dartmouth has outscored its opponents 216 to 189 this season and has a red-zone scoring proficiency of 72 percent. Among their offensive weapons, the Big Green unleashes running back Dominick Pierre (805 yards, nine TDs), who has nearly four times as many yards as the next leading rusher on the team, QB Dalyn Williams.

In addition to his talent for running the football, Williams has been productive in the passing attack, having thrown four TDs this season without an interception. Starting QB Alex Park (112-of-179 for 1,370 yards and seven TDs) has an efficiency rating of 133.1 and averages an impressive 171.2 yards per game.

"Dartmouth is as good as any team in the league," said Princeton head coach Bob Surace (as quoted by Jay Greenberg on PrincetonTigersFootball.com). "They have only had the one league loss that wasn't in the final minutes.”

The Tigers may be without the services of starting quarterback Connor Michelsen on Saturday. Michelsen left the game last week with a shoulder injury, and his status for the game against Dartmouth remains questionable.

"If he can throw, he can play," concluded Surace about his quarterback (per Greenberg's column).

If their starter cannot go, the Tigers will turn to running QB Quinn Epperly, who has been most effective when utilized in the two-quarterback system with Michelsen this season. Dartmouth will no doubt key on the Princeton running attack in the game, forcing Epperly to throw the ball for a Tigers victory.

Game Time: Saturday, Nov. 17, 1:00pm, Princeton, N.J.