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Photo Essay | Monday, October 26, 2009

Homecoming Game 2009

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Michael Reilly ‘12 snags a toss from Kempe to give the Big Green a 14-point lead - the team’s largest since 2007.

Oct 26 | 12:00 am

Order this photo | Photo: Tilman Dette / The Dartmouth Senior Staff

Niles Murphy ‘10 catches a 24-yard pass from Conner Kempe ‘12 early in the first quarter for Dartmouth’s first touchdown, putting the Big Green in the lead that it would maintain for the rest of the game.

Michael Reilly ‘12 snags a toss from Kempe to give the Big Green a 14-point lead - the team’s largest since 2007.

College President Jim Yong Kim, who played quarterback on his high school team, was present on the sidelines to cheer on the Big Green and spoke to the athletes during halftime.

Despite torrential rains, 3816 students, alumni and fans came out this Homecoming weekend to support the football team on its way to its first win since 2007.

Nick Schwieger ‘12 set a Dartmouth single-game rushing yards record in Saturday’s victory. Schwieger’s 242 yards topped the previous record of 229 yards set by Al Rosier ‘91 in 1991.

Big Green players celebrate after the Lions miss a field goal attempt in the second quarter. Columbia did not get on the scoreboard until a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Schwieger broke tackles and drove hard downfield throughout the entire game. “He’s an explosive athlete,” head coach Buddy Teevens said. “We’re very fortunate to have him.”

Co-captain Pete Pidermann ‘10 intercepts a pass from Columbia’s M.A. Olawale on the Dartmouth one-yard line. Pidermann returned the ball for a gain of 17 yards.

Dartmouth athletes cheer on their peers to victory.

After Shawn Abuhoff ‘12 forced a fumble, Charles Bay ‘11 recovered the ball and ran it in 39 yards for the Big Green’s third touchdown.

The Dartmouth team was hit with a 15-yard penalty for “excessive celebration” after Bay’s touchdown. “I don’t like a lot of penalties, but that’s one I’ll take,” Teevens said.

Abuhoff said that the team deserved to celebrate after breaking its 17-game losing streak before going back to work to prepare for the upcoming Harvard game. “Tonight’s our night,” he said.

Schwieger’s 66-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the longest of his collegiate career.

Wide receiver Tanner Scott ‘11 congratulates Schwieger on his touchdown run. “All the credit goes to the offensive line,” Schwieger said on his performance. “It makes it really easy for a back.”

Kicker Foley Schmidt ‘12 (middle) and teammates are joined on the field by students and alumni to celebrate the long-awaited victory.

Columbia free safety Adam Mehrer and teammates said that the Dartmouth team came out with more passion than the Lions.

Teevens said that playing with a lead gave the players a different outlook. “They were hootin’ and hollerin’ and just having fun,” he said. “They played more relaxed as a result.”

The Dartmouth football team will look to start a winning streak when it takes on Ivy powerhouse Harvard (4-2, 3-0 Ivy) in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday Oct. 31.