Harvard tough test for Green

Tim Murphy and Buddy Teevens are lifelong friends, dating to their playing days at Silver Lake High School.

The coaches talk often, but not this week, not Harvard-Dartmouth week, when any real conversation is reserved for postgame.

"If there is an awkward moment, it's just before the game, and I'll say, 'Hey, Murph, good luck and play safe,' " said Teevens, now in his third season of his second tour as coach at Dartmouth. "I have great fondness for the guy, great respect for the guy, but you focus on the game situation. Tim feels the same way. You take the personal side out of it, but it's always hard."

For just the second time in the last 10 seasons, Dartmouth (2-4 overall, 2-1 Ivy League) will enter its matchup against Harvard with a winning record in the Ivy. The Big Green emerged from last week's 37-28 win over Columbia with a boost of confidence, thanks to 100-yard rushing performances from tailbacks Nate Servis (130) and Rob Mitchelson (105), and a solid effort in relief from sophomore quarterback Alex Jenny. The key, according to Teevens, has been the development of his offensive line.

"The line has been much maligned the last two years, but they are jelling, playing together, and the backs are seeing the seams," said Teevens, adding that he will announce his starting QB, either Jenny or senior Tom Bennewitz, prior to kickoff.

Dartmouth will have its work cut out against Harvard (4-2, 3-0), one of two remaining Ivy unbeatens and riding a three-game winning streak.

"Very balanced, Tim has built a program over time," said Teevens.

Senior quarterback Chris Pizzotti, leading the Ivy in passing efficiency (148.1), was this week's Gold Helmet winner and is 7-1 as a starter. Senior Corey Mazza, with 26 career TDs, is two away from breaking Carl Morris's school record. Senior corner Steve Williams, whom Murphy this week called Harvard's one legitimate All-America candidate, has six interceptions, including two last week against Princeton.

Harvard has won nine of its last 10 games against Dartmouth, including last year's 28-0 victory in Hanover, N.H., but Murphy cautioned, "Dartmouth is a much better football team than last year."

Elsewhere in the Ivy, unbeaten Yale (6-0) plays at Columbia (1-5). Junior tailback Mike McLeod is averaging 151 yards rushing for the Elis.

In the Colonial Athletic Association, fourth-ranked UMass (6-1, 4-0) makes its first trip to William & Mary (4-3, 2-2) since 2003. UMass junior QB Liam Coen will try to break the school's career touchdown passing mark (51) he shares with Todd Bankhead. Coen has been battling a sprained knee, and sat out the second half last week against Northeastern after a 13-of-17, 191-yard, two-touchdown performance, but he will start today. "The sprain is not going away, but he continues to rehab it every single day," said UMass coach Don Brown.

New Hampshire (5-2, 2-2) goes for its fourth straight victory, hosting Rhode Island (1-6, 0-4), while Northeastern hosts Maine in a matchup of 1-6 squads.

With next week's showdown at Patriot League front-runner Fordham looming, Holy Cross (5-2, 2-0) travels to Bucknell (2-5, 0-2). The Crusaders are cruising on offense (40.1 points per game) thanks to the play of junior quarterback Dominic Randolph (20 TDs, 5 interceptions), who leads the league in passing efficiency.

Northeast-10 leader Bryant (7-0), ranked No. 24 in Division 2, journeys to Division 1 Stony Brook (4-4), which handed Maine a 30-23 overtime loss last week. The Bulldogs are receiving quality production from backs Lindsey Gamble (97.4 yards rushing per game, 10 touchdowns) and Jerell Smith (100 yards rushing in three straight games).

Four teams sit atop the NESCAC, but after this afternoon's matchups, only two will remain. Trinity (4-1) travels to Middlebury (4-1) while Tufts (4-1) hosts Amherst (4-1).

"This is a big test for us," said Tufts coach Bill Samko. "Amherst runs the ball extremely well and they have two great tailbacks." Said tailbacks are Aaron Rauh (85.4 yards per game) and junior Eric NeSmith (83). The Lord Jeffs are allowing just 9.4 points per game. Tufts senior quarterback Matt Russo is coming off a 30-of-45, 308-yard performance vs. Williams.

In the New England Football Conference, Curry (8-0, 5-0 Boyd Division) guns for its 28th straight win and fifth consecutive division title, playing its oldest rival, Nichols (5-2, 4-1). The Colonels average a conference-best 43.1 points per game while Nichols is yielding 15.3, tops in the NEFC. Bogan Division leader Coast Guard (6-1, 5-0) hosts Maine Maritime (5-2, 4-1). At Framingham State, there'll be a Kelley family reunion when the Rams (2-5, 1-4) host Mass. Maritime (2-6, 0-5). Framingham first-year coach Tom Kelley, along with youngest son Patrick, the Rams' special teams coordinator/running backs coach, will match wits with another son, Mike, the Bucs' wide receivers coach.

Craig Larson can be reached at clarson@globe.com.