Similar to last season's spring game, there were not enough healthy players to completely field two separate squads. There were only three healthy cornerbacks and even fewer healthy nickelbacks, and only three running backs were healthy enough to carry the football. As a result, the Green team consisted of defensive players while the White team was made up entirely of offensive personnel.
At first, the depleted roster and non-contact rules appeared to favor the defense. In the first play from scrimmage, cornerback Chai Reece '15 jumped a quick pass from quarterback Alex Park '14 and returned the interception 40 yards for a touchdown.
"I felt the defensive backs came a long way during the entire spring," Reece said. "We reduced the amount of errors and the entire secondary was on the same page. We had a couple of guys, including Brian Kosnik ['13] who were converted receivers, but we never were out of sync in any of the rotations."
Because of the non-contact rules, the defense had a tough time building momentum after the interception. Blitzes were not as effective as normal, and defensive linemen could not fully rush the quarterback. As a result, the Big Green quarterbacks had a field day.
Park, the top quarterback after the conclusion of spring practices, finished the day completing 22 of 44 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Reece's interception was the only blemish in an otherwise impressive day for the young quarterback. Reserve quarterbacks Cole Marcoux '14 and Cam Crage '15 combined for 13 completions and 135 yards.
The Big Green tight ends were the quarterback's favorite targets throughout the entire scrimmage. Dean Bakes '14 appeared to be the top candidate to replace the sure-handed All-Ivy tight end John Gallagher '12. Bakes, who won the spring football award for most improved tight end, finished the day with six catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Tight ends Justin Foley '13 and Mitch Aprahamian '13 both snagged four catches each for 69 and 39 yards, respectively.
Park's only quarterback experience came at the tail end of a 41-10 loss against Harvard University last season. Despite his limited in-game experience, Park played with the poise and control of a veteran. He showcased his mobility and composure in the pocket by patiently holding onto the ball and shaking defenders while his receivers evaded defenders and looked for open space. Although Park was aided by a weakened pass rush, his performance on Saturday showed that he can deliver the ball in very tight spaces.
The defense was aided by the return of safety Garrett Waggoner '13 and cornerback Chase Womack '13. Both defensive backs sat out most of the 2011 season with lower body injuries, but both looked crisp in their return to the field. Waggoner is best known for his downhill, hard-hitting style of play, which unfortunately does not mesh well with a controlled scrimmage, but he showed on Saturday that he is also effective in disrupting the passing game.
"The good thing about the non-contact rule was that it limited injuries, and we came out of the game pretty healthy," Waggoner said. "We showed the coaches on film that we were in the right place at the right time. The defense showed its cohesiveness and demonstrated the ability to swarm to the ball carrier."
The biggest challenge for the Big Green will be filling the hole vacated by All-American running back Nick Schwieger '12. The rules and pacing of the Green and White Game did not allow any of the running backs to showcase their abilities. Airing on the side of caution, the referees were instructed to blow the play dead as soon as a defender touched the ball carrier. As a result, none of the active backs were able to demonstrate tackle-breaking skills or breakaway speed.
Dom Pierre '14, last season's No. 2 running back, carried the ball 11 times for 32 yards. Cody Patch '15, Marc Sasso '15 and John Higgins '14 also saw some action in the backfield, but no Dartmouth rusher carried the ball into the end zone.
"I have high expectations for next year," offensive lineman Pat Lahey '12 said. "We have a great back in Dom Pierre, and Greg Patton ['13] will be back and healthy. It's going to be special to see both of them run together next year. We have a really big offensive line with an average weight above 260, and all of them have game experience, so the protection should be great."
Lahey was awarded an additional red-shirt year to play football due to an injury that forced him to sit out the entire 2011 season.
During the halftime intermission, the football coaching staff announced Waggoner, Bronson Greene '14 and Lahey as the 2012 team captains. The three captains will lead the Big Green into next season's opening game against Butler College under the lights on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m.
