Is this Dartmouth's Best Quarterback Ever?
HEADING INTO HIS senior year, quarterback Jay Fiedler '94 had already rolled up quite a career: winner of the 1992 Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League's player of the year, 1991 Ivy sophomore of the year, All-Ivy, All-New England and third-team All-America, an invitation to the prestigious Senior Bowl, and holder of nearly every Dartmouth passing record. Many observers argue that Fiedler is the best signal caller ever to wear a Big Green jersey. Just how good is he? A sampling of opinion, from some who should know:
"Jay is the best quarterback I've been around in my 18 years of coaching. He's a big, strong kid with a great arm and great athleticism. But the thing I like most about him is he's so smart." Dartmouth coach JohnLyons, whose Fiedler-ledsquad gave him a share of theIvy title in Lyons's first year ashead coach.
"There's no question that with his athletic ability, his strength, and his speed, Jay is a legitimate prospect, a great talent. I spend a good deal of time talking with other coaches and with pro scouts, and Jay's stock is definitely going up." former Dartmouth coachBob Blackman, whose teamsfrom 1955-10 won seven Ivytitles including unbeaten seasonsin 1962, '65, and HO.
"His statistics are impressive, but Jay seems to have something extra, like the ninth life of a cat. It's a sense of how players move, and how to put that movement together. That's not something you can teach— it's something you're born with but Jay seems to have honed that sense very well."Bill King' 63, quarterbackof the unbeaten 1962team and for 30 years holderof the Dartmouth record formost passing yards in a singlegame (until Fiedler shatteredthat mark last year —twice—with 409 yards againstYale and 348 yards againstColumbia).
"He's absolutely phenomenal. His performance in [last year's] Princeton game may be the best exhibition a Dartmouth quarterback has ever put on. I'm glad Dartmouth and not some other Ivy school got him."John Clayton'51, 'whose record of 26 careertouch down passes was demolished by Fiedler (with 38 TDaerials in less than two fullvarsity seasons).
"When you take an accounting of Dartmouth's great players—regardless of position, regardless of era— Jay will be at or near the top of that list. We may not see another like him for some time."Dartmouth football play-by-play announcerRick Adams.
"Fiedler could play for a lot of schools in this country. Any quarterback who throws five touchdown passes in a half is putting the ball on the money."University of New Hampshirecoach Bill Bowes.
"He's an outstanding football player, one of the best I've seen around this league—period."Yalecoach Carm Cozza, now inhis 29th season at the helm ofthe Elis.
All-Everything Fay Fiedler'94 has already picked up apassel of records and raised expert eyebrows.
