Elis look to end eight-year skid against Big Green

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Rashad Bartholomew (34), SY '01, contributed 91 yards to Yale's balanced rushing attack against Holy Cross.

This year's game may be Yale's best chance in years to beat Dartmouth. The Big Green lost a tight league opener to Pennsylvania, 17-14, on Sat., Sept. 19. In non-conference play since then, Dartmouth has struggled; its only came was against Lafayette in overtime, 13-10, on Sat., Oct. 3. Colgate, the only team to face both Yale and Dartmouth, beat both teams decisively, topping the Bulldogs by 18 and the Big Green by 21 the following week.

While Dartmouth's play so far this season has not been on par with the standard set in past seasons, the 1998 Bulldogs have been far superior to last year's edition. "Last year, we just weren't a good team," linebacker Peter Mazza, JE '01, said. "But this time I think we've got a great chance." If Yale's defense plays with the same intensity it had in the 15-7 win over Holy Cross on Sat., Oct. 10, Mazza may be right. After poor outings in the first three games of the season, the Eli defensive corps turned in a solid performance, holding the Crusaders to just 28 yards rushing (172 total) and one score. The Blue forced three fumbles and one interception and registered 10 sacks, including four by defensive end Peter Sarantos, MC '00 (see page 22).

The Bulldog offense, the strength of the team through the early part of the season, should be challenged by a tough Dartmouth defense. "We match up very well against Yale," Dartmouth linebacker and co-captain Kyle Rogers '99 said. "Offensively, Yale has an excellent team. But our defense is pretty strong this year. We've been watching tapes and we'll be ready." Yale will look to re-establish its deadly air attack that sputtered a week ago. The Elis also hope to continue their success on the ground. Against a Holy Cross rush defense that ranked second in the nation, Yale ran 46 times for 217 yards, led by quarterback Joe Walland, TD '00, (12 rushes for 95 yards) and tailback Rashad Bartholomew, SY '01 (20 rushes for 91). Another key for Yale has been its ability to protect the ball. Through the first four games of the season, Yale ranks first in Division I-AA in turnover margin, having lost fumbles only twice and having been intercepted just three times.

Saturday's game could have major implications for the remainder of the season. "This is a huge game for us," Rogers acknowledged. "The winner of this game is in good shape in the Ivy League race." A Yale win would not only put the Bulldogs at the top of the league, but would also virtually eliminate Dartmouth from title contention. Furthermore, an Eli victory would end the eight-year jinx against the Big Green and portend good things for the rest of the season. After all, the last time Yale beat Dartmouth, the Bulldogs went on to win the Ivy League championship.

--Matthew Goldenberg

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