A Super Story

From a Boston Herald story headlined Storybook journey to Super Bowl LX pits Seahawks’ Jake Bobo against childhood team (LINK):

Bobo’s father, Mike, died nearly two years ago at age 55 after a battle with cancer. His presence will still be felt, though, in the discussions the Bobo family has as they get ready for the game and in the pre-game conversation Bobo has with his father that has become a ritual.

Bobo learned football from his father – he played for the legendary Buddy Teevens at Dartmouth – but, more importantly, learned life lessons that are a guiding force to this day.

Bobo insists his father wouldn’t care about the outcome of Super Bowl LX. He put more importance on how his son carried himself off the field. A shining example of that comes from a story his mom relayed about Bobo leaving the on-field celebration following the NFC title game to give his championship hat to a young fan in the stands with cerebral palsy.

In that sense, Bobo is already a winner. And everything that comes after now follows the words Mike told his son when he first joined the Seahawks, and what has become a go-to family phrase.

“It’s sort of the family mantra: ‘It’s gravy,’” (Jake's mother) said. “Like, how could it get better than this? It’s just gravy whatever happens now.”

Mike Bobo '92 captained the 1991 Ivy League championship Big Green and shares the Dartmouth record of 10 touchdown catches in a season. He had 112 catches in his career.

Green Alert Take: Before starting Big Green Alert I was the beat writer covering all Dartmouth sports, including the football team Mike Bobo captained. I didn't really get to know football players the way I would after BGA came along, but when Mike returned to campus after graduation he always had a wonderful smile, a warm hello and a firm handshake. It seems as if Jake is a chip off the old block, and that makes me smile.

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Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team offensive lineman Delby Lemieux (50) of Dartmouth looks for a block during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

From a New York Giants on SI story headlined 6 Senior Bowl Standouts Who May Have Caught the Giants' Eye (LINK):

Lemieux was one of the best offensive linemen in the entire FCS in 2025, and potentially over the last two seasons. He is smart, physical, and possesses great quickness, so it was not a surprise to see him receive an invite to the Senior Bowl.

What was surprising was seeing him drop down to the center position and take snaps there. During the Senior Bowl, he played every snap at center and comported himself extremely well. 

At 6'5" and over 300 pounds, he is going to be a prospect that many scouts and front offices look at as someone who could potentially be their option in the middle of an offensive line. Giants fans should definitely keep an eye on this prospect.

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Under the headline Steelers Complete Second Interview for Special Teams Coordinator Opening in a story from SteelersNow (LINK):

Former Buffalo Bills STC Matthew Smiley completed an interview for the same opening with the Steelers according to reports.

​Smiley most recently served in the same role in Buffalo from 2022 to 2024, following five seasons as an assistant. Prior to that, he served as a special teams assistant in Jacksonville from 2013 to 2016.

And that's of interest because . . .

The Illinois native has 20 years of coaching experience, dating back to 2005 when he started as an assistant at Dartmouth.

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EXTRA POINT
When we bought this house the listing said something about view of the sunrise and the sunset. There was a lot of exaggeration in the listing, but that part was spot on. Yesterday's sunset cast a dramatic pink/purple hue over Mount Moosilauke to our east and revealed interesting cloud stripes to the west.

New Beginnings

A little grad transfer news from yet another chilly morning (minus 5.4 degrees) at our Vermont hillside home . . .

Linebacker Zyion Freer-Brown will play next fall at The Citadel. Freer-Brown led Dartmouth with 83 tackles last fall, including five for a loss with two sacks. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Nickel Tyson Grimm is headed to Rhode Island. He was third on the Big Green last fall with 57 tackles. He had 1.5 tackles for a loss and brought an interception back 75 yards for a touchdown in the win over Columbia.

Jamal Cooper should have no problem remembering the name of his new head coach. The Big Green corner, who finished with 18 tackles and two pass breakups, is headed to Northwestern State, coached by Blaine McCorkle, cousin of Dartmouth's Sammy McCorkle.

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Yesterday's BGA reposted congratulations to Duane Brooks and Don Dobes from Alex Schmidt. The former Dartmouth defensive lineman is now in his first year working in athletics in the Patriot League. From his Lafayette College bio (LINK):

Schmidt comes to Lafayette from New England College, where he served as director of football operations as well as the defensive line coach. Early in his career, he had helped structure and launch New England College's football program into the NCAA. Overseeing key aspects of compliance, student-athlete recruitment, operations, and eligibility tracking. 

Schmidt earned his MBA with a focus in Sports and Recreation Management from New England College in 2025.

At Lafayette, Schmidt works under Athletic Director Sherryta Freeman '01, who helped the Dartmouth women's basketball team to a pair of Ivy League championships.

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EXTRA POINT
Mrs. BGA and I went to Thompson Arena last night where we saw Dartmouth men's hockey post a 3-1 win over RPI. Here's a friendly reminder I could have used.

Although it might be a little cool in the arena – it is an ice hockey facility after all – you might still want to take your outside jacket or coat off during the game. Otherwise, when the game is over and you head out into brutally cold night, you will feel really cold.

It is safe to say the game was a lot more fun than the walk to our car in the Hanover High School parking lot when it was over. 🥶 

Story For A Saturday

Justin LaFleur of the Dartmouth office of athletic communications has a 2,000-word opus on Delby Lemieux, the Big Green senior offensive lineman who hopes a strong performance in today's Senior Bowl will help his chances in the NFL Draft. Find the story– which features a few videos from Senior Bowl week – HERE.

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The Detroit Free Press has a story under the headline Delby Lemieux, Ivy League star OL, snapping up NFL draft hopes that begins this way (LINK):

Delby Lemieux had never played a day of center in his life. But the best offensive tackle in the FCS knew a position change might be coming, so he spent time this fall working on his snaps.

Lemieux, a two-time all-Ivy League selection at Dartmouth, snapped the ball with some of the Big Green’s young quarterbacks on the side during practices and did drills informally by himself before and after workouts.

Also from the story:

Lemieux, at 6 feet 5 and 305 pounds, is one of the more intriguing and experienced offensive line prospects in this year’s draft; he could interest a Detroit Lions team that’s in the market for an infusion of young talent at several positions up front. 

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In a story headlined Three FCS Standouts to Play in 2026 Senior Bowl, The Underdog Dynasty writes of Lemieux (LINK):

Arguably the best offensive lineman in the entire FCS last season was Dartmouth left tackle Delby Lemieux. Lemieux was a two-time All-Ivy League selection who started 25 games in his career for the Big Green. Last season he earned a 84.4 grade from PFF and helped anchor a front that paved the way for an offense that rushed for 163.3 yards per contest and allowed just eight sacks all season. Lemieux has a ton of experience at tackle but, per several scouts, has better pro prospects at center. Weighing in at 305 pounds and standing at 6’5”, he has good NFL size and stature. Lemieux has his eyes on the NFL Draft in April where he is gunning to be the first Dartmouth player taken in 22 years.

That last draft choice? Tight end Casey Cramer '04, taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 draft. Cramer spent five years in the NFL and today is lead pastor of an Ohio church. (LINK)

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Not surprisingly, tributes are coming in for retiring Dartmouth assistant coaches Don Dobes and Duane Brooks. Here is a sampling, starting with a message from Joe Casetellitto, who coached with the pair at Dartmouth, and now is on staff at UMass:

The wisdom between these two is unmatched. It was an honor to work with both of them - true legends in football. @headdogpound @coach_dobes https://t.co/G2EBaf3M5i

— Joe Castellitto (@CoachJoeCas) January 30, 2026

This is from former defensive lineman Alex Schmidt:

Two of the absolute greatest to ever do it! So grateful that I had the privilege to play for and be coached by both! Congrats and thank you, Coach Brooks and Coach Dobes!🌲🌲 @headdogpound @coach_dobes https://t.co/3dkQ0FX7AT

— Alex Schmidt (@schmidty_3681) January 30, 2026

And alum Chris Adamson '97, who has sent international players to play for Dobes and Brooks at Dartmouth:

Thank you to two @IvyLeague and @DartmouthFTBL coaching legends. https://t.co/QhnnOrsbvW

— Chris Adamson (@GIfootballChris) January 30, 2026

Former assistant coach Jerry Taylor: 

Two of the best in the game. I appreciate them for their love and leadership over the years 🫡 https://t.co/ghX8VrhzbV

— Jerry Taylor Jr. (@coachjtaylorjr) January 30, 2026

Green Alert Take: The tributes keep pouring in.

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EXTRA POINT
The piles of snow in our driveway have gotten so big I've had to carve a canyon for Griff the Wonder Dog so he can get into our yard. As he showed last night playing with his toys, he's still young at heart, but he is nearing his 12th birthday.

Breaking News

Courtesy Dartmouth

It's been well known for some time that veteran defensive line coach Duane Brooks was retiring, but the news that decorated defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Don Dobes is stepping aside at the same time comes as a bit of a shock. Find a Dartmouth story HERE.

Green Alert Take: Brooks and Dobes have been instrumental in the success of the Dartmouth football program for years. On a personal note, I cannot begin to express the appreciation I have for their help, their patience and their understanding while I documented the Big Green football story on BGA. They will be missed by the program, and by me personally. Not just for their professionalism, but for their friendship. I wish them both nothing but the best.

Movin' On Up . . .

Today's issue of The Dartmouth has a quick Q&A with All-America tight end Chris Corbo about picking Georgia Tech as his grad transfer destination. From the story (LINK):

I was looking for a place that has a locker room, culture and standard that Dartmouth has. Our standard is to compete and win championships every year. After meeting with the coaches here, I could tell that their vision for the program, their morals and where they see this team going align with what we had [over] the last four years.

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Still on to topic of grad transfers, former Dartmouth defensive back Patrick Campbell is set to visit Virginia. Here's part of what Campbell had to say in a 247Sports story (LINK):

"I'm looking forward to seeing the culture at Virginia, seeing how the players interact with the coaches," said the Dartmouth defensive back transfer. ". How the coaches interact with the players, the atmosphere of the campus and everything... and seeing what the coaches see me as and then seeing how they interact with each other."

And . . .

 "It's definitely been slightly overwhelming [being in the portal] - just not knowing where you can go, not knowing if you're going to play football again, and just trusting that you're a good enough player that schools will want to take you and take a chance on you."

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The Dartmouth has a piece about the opening of Buddy T's, the "sports bar" whose name honors former Big Green football coach Buddy Teevens. (LINK)

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From FootballScoop (LINK):

Dartmouth (FCS - NH): Dartmouth has an opening for a Running Backs Coach. Interested parties should apply via this LINK. Please no phone calls.

BGA had a note last week about former running backs coach Braxton Chapman heading to Kent State HERE. What's curious about the link provided by FootballScoop is that the job description (copied from the Dartmouth listing this morning) is for a different position.

This was posted by the Dartmouth Office of Human Resources and is dated Jan. 19:

To participate as part of a decision making team (coaching staff) under the direction of the head coach in planning, coaching, recruiting, administering, and promoting the football program within NCAA, Ivy League, and institutional standards. The Defensive Coordinator plays a critical role in achieving the overall goals of the football program by coordinating the defense and providing important recommendations, suggestions and decisions regarding game plans and strategies, line-ups, priority listing of recruits, etc. as well as offering significant initiative and independent judgment (e.g., in calling defensive alignments, making line-up decisions, providing coaching instruction, evaluating and communicating with prospective recruits and their parents, and representing the football program to constituents).

Green Alert Take: Very strange.

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And finally, have you ever heard of a one-point safety? Not only can it happen both in college football and the NFL, it actually has happened in several college games. As the video explains, while the odds are absurdly long against it, given changes to the overtime rules you could actually have a 1-0 college football game. Click HERE to watch the video below. (It's pretty basic at the start, but keep watching!)

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EXTRA POINT

Doing my daily hike up the mountain yesterday through deep snow in single-degree weather I was reminded yet again of how much easier it is hitting the trail in summer.

When the weather is nice, I'll pull on a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt, and I'm ready.

It's different when it is single digits or colder. Starting with my feet, this winter I'm using battery-warmed socks I received for Christmas. Depending on the condition of the trail those socks will go into hiking shoes with either cleats or micro-spikes strapped on to deal with ice on the trail. Moving up, it's sweat pants under rain or snow pants. A long-sleeved dri-fit shirt and then a fleece vest go under a heavy winter jacket. USB-charged hand warmers are tucked into each mitten. Topping off the stylish outfit is a buff (or neckie), and finally, a goofy knit cap with ear flaps.

It's not quite like I'm Ralphie's little brother Randy, but getting ready to head out I do channel him a bit.  

Telling It Like It Is

At the Senior Bowl, graduating Dartmouth offensive lineman Delby Lemieux shares thoughts about being shifted from tackle to center, the benefit of his quick feet, the importance of recognizing defenses, the move up from Ivy League competition, and meeting with NFL teams:

Got to speak with former Dartmouth Tackle now IOL Delby Lemieux about his transition inside and jump in level on competition among many other things!

Happy to report he has met with Carolina #KeepPounding #TheDraftStartsInMobile https://t.co/MhFfTkdqLr pic.twitter.com/YJ9SCIska8

— The Real Ball Watcher (@thaRBW) January 28, 2026

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There are a zillion stories about former Dartmouth offensive lineman Vasean Washington grad transferring to Ohio State, including one from SI.com with the  headline, How Ohio State's Offensive Line Managed To Get Smarter that includes this smarmy bit (LINK):

While the Buckeyes are accustomed to adding starters and depth from the SEC, — generally with lots and lots of Alabama players — the ACC, and elsewhere amongst college football’s power conferences, it’s not often they go sniffing around the Ivy League.

If you can’t out-physical your opponent, why not try and out-smart them?

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On the subject of the portal and grad transfers, isn't it interesting that former Harvard receiver Cooper Barkate didn't make it official that he is leaving Duke to play a final season at Miami until now-former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah worked out a deal that will see him play next fall in Miami as well? (LINK)

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And if there's any doubt about Power 4 football being professional, consider this from Sportico under the headline Deion's Colorado Player Fines Push College Employee Issue To The Fore (LINK): 

Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders appears to have taken a page from his days as an NFL player—and an NFLPA union member—by telling his student players they face monetary fines for failing to attend practice ($2,500), missing film sessions ($2,000), being late to practice ($500) and other fumbling of their work responsibilities.

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Finally, the journalist in me has to share a story from The Dartmouth under the headline, College approached and paid student to write op-ed in The Dartmouth. The story begins this way (LINK):

The College approached a student to promote Evergreen.AI — the College’s wellness artificial intelligence project — in an op-ed in The Dartmouth and edited the article before submission to the paper.

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EXTRA POINT
The remote sensor for our indoor-outdoor thermometer was buried in the snow and did not offer up an accurate overnight reading. That being the case, here's a photo That Certain Nittany Lion '16 shared this morning from his place, about 40 minutes south of here. Even with our thermometer taking the day off I knew it was a little chilly. ;-)

 

The temperature around these parts the past week or so ought to make That Certain Nittany Lion '16 feel right at home joining 65,000 or so others Saturday afternoon for the first Penn State men's hockey game ever to be played outdoors at Beaver Stadium. The No. 5 Nittany Lions will play No. 2 Michigan State with the game-time temperature expected to be in the high teens . . . above. ;-)

Glückwunsch

Dartmouth social media

Konstantin Spörk, who could have joined others spending a grad transfer season elsewhere, has been rewarded for coming back to Dartmouth by being named to the Academic All-America second team.

Click HERE for a story about the offensive lineman from Germany who was elected with a 3.74 GPA in Engineering. Spörk has been an Academic Al-District selection for four consecutive years and this fall was chosen second-team All-Ivy League for his play on the line.

Selected to the Academic All-America first team from the Ivy League were Cornell defensive lineman James Reinbold and Brown linebacker John Perdue. Find the full Academic All-America team HERE.

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North Texas social media

Former Dartmouth wide receiver Grayson O'Bara is grad transferring to North Texas. O'Bara caught 44 passes for 590 yards and two touchdowns in a breakout season last fall. He had 63 grabs for 844 yards and four TDs in his Big Green career.

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Chicago Bears on SI has a piece headlined Six Senior Bowl Prospects Who Would Be Perfect Fits for the Bears that features players from Florida, Penn State, Boston College, Clemson, Texas Tech and . . . Dartmouth. From the story (LINK):

4. Delby Lemieux - Offensive Tackle, Dartmouth

The Bears drafted an Ivy League offensive lineman in 2024, and that didn't go so well, but I see no reason why that should stop them from taking a closer look at Dartmouth's Delby Lemieux. He's played both tackle positions and has even taken snaps at guard and center, too. He'll need to add weight and strength to compete at the NFL level, but he already plays with an aggressive, physical mindset that would make him an intriguing developmental piece for Chicago.

Green Alert Take: Neat to see, but someone should tell the editors the photo they found of "Dartmouth" on the internet is actually of Dartmouth High School in Massachusetts. Ivy Leaguers may not generally be the size of Big 10 players, but they are bigger than that.  ;-)

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Landan Yount, who served as director of recruiting and external relations at Dartmouth in 2022 and '23 has landed at Boise State. 

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 ➡️ Director of Player Personnel#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/MBG3XgyxOk

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) January 27, 2026

From a Boise State release (LINK):

Landan Yount has been hired as the director of player personnel while Shauny Fisk has been elevated to the director of recruiting.

As the director of player personnel, Yount will oversee the roster management of the program. He will play a major role in the Broncos' recruiting operation, including evaluating and scouting potential student-athletes. 

Yount comes to the Treasure Valley after working as the director of player personnel at Middle Tennessee State for the past two seasons. 

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Saw this live, but credit goes to a loyal reader for sharing a link to a story featuring Jake Bobo, son of former Dartmouth wide receiver and captain Mike Bobo '92. Jake's touchdown reception for Seattle helped the Seahawks advance to the Super Bowl. Find the story HERE and watch the TD below:

Did someone order a Jake Bobo touchdown?

LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/kQXCvLVIty

— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026

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EXTRA POINT
I've turned this into a running joke here at our Vermont hillside home. The AAA magazine has a contest each issue where you have to find a little figure in one of their pictures. Given our road trip last summer, I was flipping through a story about Route 66 lo and behold, spotted the tiny figure. I immediately went online and filled out the necessarily information about our AAA membership and where the figure was in the mag, and hit send.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed to learn that spotting the figure so quickly only landed me in a lottery of those who found it,. But as I told Mrs. BGA, it's probably only a matter of days until my "major award" is delivered. A leg lamp would be just about perfect! ;-)

Here's Something

I warned a while back there would be days when BGA goes dark because I don't have anything to share. Some of those days are coming, so don't be alarmed when they do. Trust me, if the site isn't updated on occasion it (probably ;-) won't mean I got stranded in the deep snow on my daily hike and that it's game over.

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All I have for you today is this tidbit from PFSN, which took a look at FCS players at the Senior Bowl and had this on Dartmouth's Delby Lemieux (LINK):

Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth

2025 PFSN FCS OL Impact Score: 83.8

The path from Duxbury, Massachusetts, to Mobile rarely runs through the Ivy League, which makes Delby Lemieux’s Senior Bowl invitation all the more remarkable.

One of only three FCS players granted entry to this year’s game among over 130 invitees, the Dartmouth offensive lineman represents a rare breed: the small-school prospect whose tape is simply too good for NFL evaluators to ignore.

Lemieux’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of dominant. The 6’3″, 285-pound blocker was named to the Associated Press FCS All-American first team after anchoring a Dartmouth offensive line that surrendered the fifth-fewest sacks in the country (0.80 per game) while ranking third in the Ivy League in rushing offense.

Most impressive? Lemieux did not allow a single sack all season.

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In the internet era any of us can buy a domain (or in BGA's case use a free service) to get their thoughts and opinions in front of the masses. That being the case, I'm always curious when I see a post from an organization that is unfamiliar. I did a little digging and learned that PFSN, which produced the Lemieux post, is the Pro Football and Sports Network, which offers its origin story HERE, and its "Editorial Standards, Verification Policy, and AI Ethics" statement HERE.

Editor's Note: I wish every online entity would follow PFSN's lead, so I guess I should play by my own rules. For the bona fides of the person who brings you BGA every day (or almost every day in the future ;-) click HERE.

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One more Lemieux note. His height and weight came in at an even 6-foot-5, and 305 pounds. (LINK) Dartmouth listed him at 6-4, 295, so he absolutely added weight. The difference in height is . . . interesting.

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EXTRA POINT
We have a high-powered (and high-priced) vacuum from a name you would recognize. Within the last year we added a well-reviewed cordless stick vacuum, and we also have a powerful handheld vac as well as Robo, our robotic vacuum. All are infantry in the righteous fight against golden retriever fur.

Several weeks ago I enlisted more help. I broke out a human-powered carpet sweeper, and wonder of wonders, I discovered this humble holdover from the ancient past absolutely outperforms each of our three motorized vacuums when it comes to golden retriever fur on carpet. I don't know why, but there's something I find refreshing about that.