Football
It's been an amazing season for Dartmouth football fans, not to mention the Big Green warriors. After dropping three games and tying a lowly Brown team, the Big Green appeared to be out of the Ivy race this fall. However, the Indians climbed out of the mud to stop Harvard, 9-0, then went on to upset an undefeated Yale team, 12-8, romped over Columbia, 22-0, and defeated Cornell, 21-12, to find themselves in second place in the League.
At this writing Pennsylvania is in first place with a 5-1 record and Dartmouth is second with a 4-1-1 mark in league play. If the Indians get by Princeton and Cornell defeats Pennsylvania in their traditional Thanksgiving Day clash, Dartmouth will again be Ivy League Champions. If the Quakers stop Cornell, as they are expected to do, it's still been a great season.
Credit for Dartmouth's comeback drive must go to all members of a truly fine squad. The morale and spirit of the team improved with each game after the win over Harvard, and certainly the experience of the early games helped. The return of quarterback Bill Gundy was a major factor. The Indians played their last four games in the rain and mud and Gundy's passing, under such conditions, was nothing short of superb. Equally important was his magnificent play-calling and masterful ball-handling. His defensive work (witness his key pass interception against Cornell) was also outstanding. In five games, four in the rain, the senior quarterback has completed 39 out of 71 passes for 445 yards and nine touchdowns. The other members of the starting backfield have been equally good. All-American halfback Jake Crouthamel has averaged just under four yards every time he's carried the ball in eight games. Consistently he's been called upon for the yards needed for crucial first downs, and his defensive work has been just as good.
Halfback Al Rozycki is the most improved man in the backfield. He got off to a slow start, but in the recent Ivy games he has run well and his average is right up with Crouthamel's. Al also has been particularly effective on the receiving end, as he has snagged some 23 of Bill Gundy's passes for 240 yards and five scores. Fullback Bill Hibbs also has shown great improvement. He sparked the Indians against Yale with some fine catches and turned in some outstanding blocks which aided Dartmouth's offense.
Injuries, which played a part in Dartmouth's early losses, have fortunately been few in recent weeks. The return of ends Roger Hanlon and John Henry has helped the squad, while end Seth Strickland has turned in outstanding work throughout the season. The punting of quarterback Jack Kinderdine has been both a fine defensive and offensive weapon, and quarterback Seth Moger has done a topnotch job when in action on offense.
The Dartmouth line which in early games seemed inept has certainly been a. bulwark of late. It has provided the blocking and opened the holes for Dartmouth's advances and, on defense, has held the last four opponents to limited advances. Center Ken DeHaven, guards Bob Boye, Hank Gerfen and Jim Graham, and tackles Sam Bowlby and Lee Horschman have all played tremendous ball.
And behind these players have been many others who, in reserve roles, have contributed to the Big Green success. So, although the Indians may fail to retain the Ivy League title, they have proven themselves to be champions and their spirited comeback is a tribute to Coach Bob Blackman, his staff and Dartmouth.
Dartmouth quarterback Bill Gundy (17) is finally halted by Nick Kangas (21) and Lou Muller (33) of Yale after he had run 29 yards in the first quarter at New Haven. The Big Green captain took a lateral from halfback Jake Crouthamel and scooted down the right sideline.
