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

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    5 minutes, 46 seconds Read

    HANOVER, NH – Second-year quarterback Grayson Saunier ran in both of Dartmouth's touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winning play with 5:13 left as the Big Green football team improved to 5-0 with a hard-fought 20-16 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon. Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field. On their ensuing possession, the Blue Devils advanced to the Dartmouth 6-yard line, but the Dartmouth defense stood firm 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 since 2021. CCSU fell to 3-4, but two of those losses came against FBS opponents, one by just four points to UMass.

    “I felt like every stage was a big part of this win,” 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 a toll on the whole team; CCSU is a very good football team. We knew it was going to happen from the start; We knew every phase would be a battle.

    Saunier, the reigning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, was calm, cool and collected as he led the Big Green offense. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 177 yards. He also ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

    “I definitely felt confident, but credit to Coach Daft and the rest of the quarterback room,” Saunier said. “We all prepare every single week as if we were the starter. We prepare every single week and feel comfortable. Whether you’re third string or second string or whatever, you have to be ready.”

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

    In a balanced offense, 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). This moved Scott into fourth place in program history for career receptions 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 year and third time in the last four games, finishing with 10. Ejike Adele, Danny Cronin And Josiah Green each had six as they combined for 3.5 tackles for loss.

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

    Early in the second quarter, Dartmouth reached CCSU's 3-yard line but could not penetrate it. Instead Owen Zalc hit a 22-yard field goal to bring the Big Green within 7-3 with 10:45 left in the second quarter.

    After CCU responded with a field goal, the Big Green gained 78 yards in 10 plays. A crucial play came on 3rd-and-3 when Saunier found Corbo for 31 yards to the CCSU 40-yard line. The drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown rush by Saunier. After the extra point, the score was 10, which turned out to be a halftime lead.

    Had that not been the case, the Big Green might have been left 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 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, to give the Big Green its first lead, 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 resulting extra point was missed, leaving the Big Green at 16-13.

    Later in the quarter Sean Williams sparked the Big Green on special teams with a 26-yard punt return and a CCSU facemask penalty that sparked Dartmouth's drive at the CCSU 32-yard line.

    The Big Green capitalized in seven plays as Saunier rushed for his second touchdown of the day from a yard out to give Dartmouth a 20-16 lead with 5:13 left.

    Boston made a great 31-yard catch to give CCSU a 1st-and-goal, but a 3-yard rush followed by three straight incompletions gave the ball back to Dartmouth. Two kneels officially crowned the victory.

    For the game, total yards were 317-315 in CSU's favor, with the Blue Devils holding a 204-177 edge through the air and the Big Green holding a 138-113 edge on the ground.

    “It wasn’t always pretty, it wasn’t always working, it wasn’t always good plays, but I thought our guys just kept going and leaned on each other,” McCorkle said. “We said you're going to go out there and have a 1-on-1 battle, but you have to go out there as a team and win this game. That was the big difference.” “We played as a team and were lucky to be on the right side in the end (in the result).”

    The Big Green hits the road to play Columbia next weekend. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dartmouth returns home in two weeks to welcome Harvard on Homecoming and Healthcare Appreciation Day. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

    Questions can 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 into fourth place in program history with 161 in his career, passing Hunter Hagdorn (2016-19) … The Big Green improved to 3-0 all-time against CCSU … Dartmouth rose to No. 22 on the Stats Perform FCS Top over the weekend 25 a 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 one touchdown.

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