Goings and Comings

After yesterday's post about quarterback target Kyle Smith accepting a scholarship to Central Michigan, the blog received this comment:

"I hope BGA cheers us up by letting us know of the guys who spurn other Ivies for FBS schools this week as well."

I wish I could, but there are only so many hours in a day and I spend way too much time on this not-for-profit venture already ;-) That said, you should know that there are top prospects walking away from Ivy League admission offers to accept scholarships – and even to walk on – at FBS schools all the time. You only hear about those who flirt with Dartmouth because I dredge them up.

And now, of course, I'm going to do just that and toss out a few more bits and pieces about Smith, who had his No. 17 uniform retired by Lancaster Catholic after breaking state records for most career passing yards (8,845), Most career touchdown passes (118) and most TD passes in a season (50 last fall).

The LancasterOnline.com (PA) writer who last week suggested Dartmouth was a good fit for the QB writes that, "... he picked Central Michigan over Akron, Richmond, Princeton and Dartmouth." (Dartmouth fans can take some consolation in the fact that at least he didn't pick Princeton.) From the story:

Smith’s postseason accolades included being named Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and Double-A Player of the Year by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers, Pennsylvania Football News and Eastern Pennsylvania Football, plus First-Team All-State honors from all three of those outlets.

Back to your question, which arose because of a player spurning Dartmouth. Maybe this bit from the Sun-Sentinel down in Florida will cheer you up. It's about the running back reported on the blog Sunday night: "Dominick Pierre of Calvary Christian will be signing with Dartmouth College instead of the University of Pensylvania (sic)."

Oh, and Pierre's game-by-game statistics can be found here.

Jake Novak over at the Roar Lions Roar Columbia football blog chimes in on another quarterback who may face the same choice as Kyle Smith. Jake writes:

Of course, the buzz this winter has been all about incoming Dartmouth frosh Cole Marcoux who impressed the fans at the Army High School all star game in December. Since then, there has been a lot of press about Marcoux jumping ship and signing with a bigger time program.

In my humble opinion, that would be a big mistake for both Marcoux and any BCS school that might be interested.

Marcoux, by the way, rose one spot this week in the Scout.com ratings for pro-style quarterbacks and now sits at No. 71. Please check back a week from now for the next edition of the riveting series, "Cole Ranking Up or Cole Ranking Down?"

For video highlights of incoming wide receiver recruit Trevor Niemann, who shows good speed, terrific moves and a nose for the end zone, click here. Niemann was selected to the California small-school all-state second team last week. (link)

The final Gridiron Power Index numbers (think the BCS standings) are up on the College Sporting News site and Dartmouth is tied for 97th among the 125 FCS teams ranked last fall. Here's how Dartmouth's 2009 opponents fit into the puzzle along with a couple of upcoming opponents:

7. New Hampshire (10-3)
19. Penn (8-2)
22. Holy Cross 9-3)
36. Harvard (7-3)
37.Colgate (9-2)
48T. Brown (6-4)
71. Columbia (4-6)
86. Princeton (4-6)
97T. Dartmouth (2-8)
105. Cornell (2-8)

65. Butler (11-1)
114. Sacred Heart (2-8)
121 Georgetown (0-11)

In case you are wondering, Dartmouth was tied at No. 97 with 2-9 VMI, one slot behind 7-4 Marist and one slot ahead of 4-6 NC A&T.

Speaking of rankings, I had to chuckle the other night when the CBS affiliate up in Burlington introduced coverage of a men's ice hockey game featuring "No. 17" Vermont. There are only 58 Division I men's ice hockey programs. With a little math I was able to put the ranking into perspective. A No. 17 ranking in ice hockey is the equivalent of a No. 102 ranking in men's basketball, which has 347 Division I teams.

All of which makes what Cornell has accomplished on the hardwood this winter all the more noteworthy. Yesterday's release of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll has the 18-3 Big Red ranked No. 25. Cornell's only losses have come at No. 1 Kansas (a game it led virtually until the final minute), at No. 10 Syracuse and against Seton Hall. (link) Cornell has wins at Alabama, at UMass and against St. John's at Madison Square Garden among others. The Big Red pounded Dartmouth last weekend, 71-37, and also destroyed Harvard, 86-50.

Still in the basketball world, the Dartmouth women's team volunteered with the Special Olympics winter games at the Dartmouth Skiway a little over a week ago. Senior Michelle Meyer blogs about the experience here.

And finally, some of you have asked so here goes: Despite being boxed on a slow first lap, that certain Hanover High senior ran a PR last week at UNH while finishing second in the fast heat of the 600 meters in the final tuneup to Sunday's state championship meet at Leverone Field House. After finishing second in the state in the 1500 two years ago and second in the 1000 last winter, she will be running the 1000 again this year, along with a leg of the 4x400. Her relay won the state title last winter.