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    • No. 22 Dartmouth remains undefeated with 20-16 win over CCSU
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    No. 22 Dartmouth remains undefeated with 20-16 win over CCSU

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    HANOVER, NH – Sophomore quarterback Grayson Saunier ran in both of Dartmouth’s touchdowns, including what proved to be the game winner with 5:13 remaining, as the Big Green football team improved to 5-0 with a hard-fought 20-16 win over Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon at Buddy Teevens Stadium Memorial Field. On their ensuing possession, the Blue Devils drove to the Dartmouth 6-yard line, but Dartmouth’s defense stood tall to force a turnover on downs, securing the win.

    With the win, the Big Green improved to 3-0 at home for the first time since 2019 and posted a perfect nonleague record for that time since 2021. CCSU fell to 3-4, but two of those losses came against FBS- opponents. , one by just four points for UMass.

    “I felt every stage was a big part of that victory,” he said Sammy McCorkleRobert L. Blackman Head Football Coach. “I thought the offense, defense and special teams all stepped up and did a good job, especially in the second half. It took the whole team; CCSU is a very good football team. We knew that going in; We knew that every stage was going to be a struggle.”

    The reigning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, Saunier, was calm, cool and collected in anchoring the Big Green offense. He finished 15 of 21 passing for 177 yards. He also ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

    “I definitely felt confident, but props to Coach Daft and the rest of the quarterback room,” Saunier said. “We all prepare every week like we’re the starter. We prepare every week and we feel comfortable. It doesn’t matter if you’re the third string or the second string or whatever, you gotta be there be ready for.

    “Coach Mac says it all the time: the next one has to be ready,” Saunier continued. “We’re all in this together.”

    In a balanced attack there were three Big Green with three or more catches: Paxton Scott (four for 37), Desmin Jackson (four for 28) and Daniel Haughton (three for 55). In the process, Scott climbed to fourth in program history for career receptions, now with 161.

    Q Jones led Dartmouth with 51 rushing yards, with Desmin Jackson Add 49.

    CCSU’s 16 points marked its season low against an FCS opponent. Micah Green led the Big Green in tackles for the second straight week and third time in the last four games, finishing with 10. Ejike Adele, Danny Cronin And Josia Green each had six as they combined for 3.5 tackles-for-loss.

    The Blue Devils got on the board with 3:19 left in the first quarter as former Big Green wide receiver, and current CCSU graduate transfer, Isaiah Boston made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone. That capped a 14-play, 68-yard drive that lasted 6:51.

    Early in the second quarter, Dartmouth reached the CCSU 3-yard line but could not penetrate it. Owen Zalc punched through a 22-yard field goal to pull the Big Green within 7-3 with 10:45 left on the second quarter clock.

    After CCU answered with a field goal, the Big Green drove 78 yards on 10 plays. A key play came on 3rd-and-3 when Saunier found Corbo 31 yards to the CCSU 40-yard line. The drive ended with a four-yard touchdown rush from Saunier. After the extra point, the score remained at 10, which turned out to be the halftime margin.

    If that weren’t the case, the Big Green might have fallen behind Jordan Washingtonwho blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half. It was Washington’s second field goal block of the season (the other was against Fordham in the season opener).

    In the third quarter, a 12-play, 64-yard Dartmouth drive ended with Zalc’s second field goal of the afternoon, a 36-yarder, that gave the Big Green their first lead at 13-10.

    Less than four minutes into the fourth, CCSU capped a seven-play, 66-yard run with a 13-yard rushing touchdown from Jadon Turner. The ensuing extra point was missed, leaving the Big Green within 16-13.

    Later in the quarter Sean Williams led to the Big Green on special teams with a 26-yard punt return, along with a CCSU facemask penalty, starting the Dartmouth drive at the CCSU 32-yard line.

    The Big Green took advantage on seven plays, as Saunier rushed in his second touchdown of the day, from one yard out, to give Dartmouth a 20-16 lead with 5:13 remaining.

    Boston made a big catch for 31 yards to set up CCSU 1st-and-goal, but a 3-yard rush followed by three straight incompletions gave the ball back to Dartmouth. Two kneel-downs officially sealed the win.

    For the game, total yards were 317-315 in favor of CSU, with the Blue Devils having a 204-177 advantage in the air and the Big Green having a 138-113 advantage on the ground.

    “It wasn’t always pretty, it wasn’t always work, it wasn’t always good play, but I thought our guys just kept going and leaned on each other,” McCorkle said. “We said you’re going to go out and have a one-on-one battle, but you’re going to have to go out as a team and win this game. That was the big difference. We played as a team and were fortunate to to end up on the right side (of the result).”

    The Big Green hit the road next weekend to play Columbia. The opening kick-off is set for 1:30 PM. Dartmouth returns home in two weeks to welcome Harvard on Homecoming and Healthcare Appreciation Day. You can buy tickets HERE.

    Questions may be directed to the Athletics Sales Office at [email protected] or by calling (603) 646-2466.

    NOTES: With his four catches on Saturday, Paxton Scott moved to fourth in program history with 161 in career, passing Hunter Hagdorn (2016-19) … The Big Green improved to 3-0 all-time against CCSU … Dartmouth entered the weekend ranked No. 22 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and 24th in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll … CCSU graduate transfer Isaac Boston finished his Big Green career with 35 receptions for 354 yards and a touchdown.

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