Yale Athletics

Over the weekend, Team 152 (2–2, 1–1 Ivy) lost to the Dartmouth Big Green (3–1, 1–1 Ivy) in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Yale entered the matchup Saturday looking to bounce back after their first loss of the season against Lehigh (7–0, 2–0 Patriot League) on Oct. 4, and Dartmouth was also hoping to rebound after losing their first game of the season to Penn (3–1, 1–0 Ivy).

In Saturday’s game, the Bulldogs suffered a one point defeat, losing 16-17 after the Big Green stormed down the field before kicking a game winning field goal. 

“Credit to Dartmouth for a hard-fought game,” head coach Tony Reno said to Yale Athletics. “We’ll regroup, learn from this and get better. I’m proud of our guys for their energy, grit and toughness. There are things we need to improve on, and we will.”

Like it has in previous games, Yale’s offense got off to a slow start. Dartmouth also stalled out of the gate, and the first drives for both teams each lasted for over six minutes with neither resulting in any points on the scoreboard. 

A few punts later, Yale was finally able to get something going when quarterback Dante Reno ’28 and star receiver Nico Brown ’26 were able to connect for a 30-yard completion. However, penalties caused the drive to come to a halt, and the Elis had to settle for a 41-yard field goal attempt. Nick Conforti ’26 sailed his kick through the uprights to put the Bulldogs up 3-0.

Dartmouth responded with a long, drawn-out drive of its own, and they marched into the red zone as the two-minute warning approached. A few run plays later, the Big Green set up a 1st and goal from the 1-yard line. Yet, the Bulldogs stood their ground and forced a fourth down on which Dartmouth quarterback Grayson Saunier attempted to run for the score but was stood up by Yale defensive lineman Jaylin Tate ’27.

With the huge stop, Yale took a 3-0 lead into the break.

Following halftime, Dartmouth started the third quarter with the ball. A quick three-and-out by their offense gave possession right back to Yale, giving the Bulldogs the opportunity to extend their lead. 

On that drive, Reno and the offense started to find their rhythm, with a mix of short completions and a steady ground attack powered by Josh Pitsenberger ’26. As the Bulldogs got into Dartmouth territory, another long completion to Brown set up the Yale offense on the Big Green thirteen. However, Yale ended up turning the ball over on downs inside Dartmouth’s 5-yard line.

Minutes later, Dartmouth handed the ball right back to the Bulldogs when Saunier was strip-sacked on his own 6-yard line. Ezekiel Larry ’27 and Micaiah Shaber ’26 combined on the play.

On Yale’s offensive snap following the forced turnover, Yale capitalized when Reno hit Brown for a 6-yard touchdown pass, putting the Bulldogs up 10-0. 

A few drives later, the Big Green cut Yale’s lead to three with a 6-yard rush by Saunier for a score. 

On the ensuing Yale drive, a Reno pass was intercepted, and the Dartmouth offense came back onto the field.  Saunier scrambled for a 37-yard touchdown run, putting Dartmouth up 14-10 with four minutes to go. 

With the clock ticking down, the Bulldogs started their drive at their own 30-yard line, and the offense kept running through Pitsenberger, who added to his season-high 34 carries for the day. Once in the red zone, Reno hit Graham Smith ’27 for Smith’s first career receiving touchdown, and the Bulldogs went up 16-14 with 37 seconds to go.

Following the touchdown, first-year place kicker Noah Piper ’29 missed the point-after-attempt, and the Bulldogs’ lead remained at two.

Coming into the game, Saunier, Dartmouth’s quarterback, led the league in passing, and he showcased his talent in the game’s final moments. With 14 seconds left, Saunier hit a streaking Ky’Dric Fisher for a 20-yard gain to set the Big Green up inside the Yale 40-yard line. 

With four seconds to go, Dartmouth trotted out its kicker, Owen Zalc, to attempt a game-winning 51-yard field goal. Zalc’s kick went through the goalposts and the Big Green defeated the Bulldogs, 17-16.

Yale returns home next Saturday to host Stonehill at 12 p.m.