Bennewitz Leads Shaky Big Green Offense

As dismal as Dartmouth’s offense was last season, all signs pointed to things getting worse in 2007. Starting quarterback Mike Fritz was graduating, robbing the Big Green of both its leading passer and rusher from 2006. Also gone were leading receiver Ryan Fuselier, who amassed 711 yards and three of Dartmouth’s seven receiving touchdowns, in addition to two starters on the offensive line, left tackle Preston Copley and center Mike Shannon.

But despite all the personnel losses, the Big Green has managed to field an offense that, while certainly nowhere near the best in the Ivy League, has given the team a modicum of stability throughout the season.

The fulcrum of the offense is first-time starter Tom Bennewitz, a senior who was originally tabbed as the starter for the 2006 season. But in the fourth quarter of Dartmouth’s season opener against Colgate, Bennewitz took a hard hit on a quarterback scramble from strong safety Geoff Bean. The blow tore ligaments in the muscles connecting his sternum to his collarbone, and Bennewitz lost the majority of his season.

Now, with the starter position secure, Bennewitz has flashed some of the talent that made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of Connecticut. One of the better running quarterbacks in the Ivy League, Bennewitz complements his speed with a strong arm. The senior has thrown for 738 yards in his five starts, including a career-high 265 yards and two touchdowns in an upset victory over Penn. But Bennewitz has also struggled in his decision-making, throwing six interceptions.

The Big Green has had few chances to make an impact on the ground, with the team falling behind early in three of its four losses. Nonetheless, Dartmouth has been unable to muster much, if any of a running game, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry and racking up only three touchdowns so far. The bulk of that offense has come from Milan Williams, who has 358 yards on the season. Williams is virtually the only option on the ground for Dartmouth—Hudson Smythe, who picked up 231 yards last season, has been little used this season, falling behind Rob Mitchelson and Nate Servis on the depth chart.

In the receiver corps, Brian Evans has taken Fuselier’s place as top wideout, with Eric Paul providing a capable second receiver. The Big Green also has arguably the top tight end combo in the Ivy League in Mark Brogna and Brett Lowe. The seniority among the receivers has given Bennewitz a stable set of options in the passing game.

Despite all the standout individual performances, Dartmouth has been unable to string together consistent offensive success. But any kind of consistency is a step up from the struggles that plagued the team last season.