What Is 2015 Dartmouth Big Green football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Dartmouth Big Green football team represented Dartmouth College in the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-4 conference record in the Ivy League under head coach Buddy Teevens.

Key Facts

The 2015 Dartmouth Big Green finished the season with a 5-5 overall record
They posted a 3-4 record in the Ivy League, placing fifth in the conference
Head coach Buddy Teevens was in his 12th consecutive season (18th overall) at Dartmouth
The team played home games at Memorial Field in Hanover, New Hampshire
Quarterback Ryan Sperling started 9 of 10 games and threw for 1,754 yards

Overview

The 2015 Dartmouth Big Green football team represented Dartmouth College during the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Ivy League, the team was led by head coach Buddy Teevens, who was in his 12th consecutive year as head coach (18th overall) after returning to the program in 2005.

The Big Green played their home games at Memorial Field in Hanover, New Hampshire, and competed in the Ivy League, which does not participate in the FCS playoffs. The 2015 season marked a return to .500 after a 6-4 record in 2014, with the team finishing fifth in the conference standings.

Record: The team finished with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-4 mark in Ivy League play, their first .500 season since 2012.
Head Coach:Buddy Teevens was in his 12th consecutive season leading the program, having previously coached from 1987 to 1991 before returning in 2005.
Home Field: All home games were played at Memorial Field, a 11,800-seat stadium located on Dartmouth’s campus in Hanover, NH.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Ryan Sperling started nine games, throwing for 1,754 yards and 10 touchdowns with 8 interceptions.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Joe Gilman recorded 74 total tackles, leading the team and earning first-team All-Ivy honors.

How It Works

The Ivy League operates under unique football rules compared to other FCS conferences, emphasizing academics and limiting postseason play. The 2015 Dartmouth Big Green operated within this framework, focusing on regular-season competition without eligibility for the FCS playoffs.

Ivy League Structure: The conference consists of eight private universities and does not allow its teams to participate in the FCS playoffs, even if they qualify.
Season Length: Teams play a 10-game schedule; Dartmouth played five home and five away games during the 2015 season.
Recruiting Model: Ivy schools do not offer athletic scholarships, relying on need-based financial aid to attract student-athletes.
Gameplay Style: Dartmouth utilized a balanced offensive attack, averaging 25.1 points and 352.3 yards per game in 2015.
Coaching Staff: Head coach Teevens led a staff emphasizing player safety, including the use of “Helmetless Tackling Drills” to reduce head impacts.
Player Eligibility: All athletes must meet strict academic standards set by the Ivy League, which can affect roster depth and development timelines.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2015 season can be better understood by comparing Dartmouth’s performance to other Ivy League teams and recent seasons:

Team	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Points For	Points Against
Dartmouth	5-5	3-4	251	227
Harvard	5-5	3-4	249	205
Yale	5-5	3-4	224	204
Princeton	6-4	4-3	263	217
Columbia	4-6	3-4	201	244

Despite identical 3-4 conference records, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale finished in a three-way tie for fifth place. Princeton’s 4-3 record placed them third, while Columbia also had a 3-4 mark but was ranked lower due to tiebreakers. The Big Green outscored opponents in three games and had a +24 point differential for the season.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season reflected Dartmouth’s ongoing efforts to balance athletic competitiveness with academic priorities within the Ivy League’s strict guidelines. The team’s performance highlighted both the challenges and strengths of a non-scholarship football model.

Player Development: The season demonstrated the long-term development of athletes, as many starters were underclassmen gaining experience.
Competitive Balance: Finishing at .500 showed improvement in closing games, as the Big Green won three of their final five contests.
Safety Initiatives: Dartmouth’s use of “Helmetless Tackling” drew national attention and influenced broader NCAA safety discussions.
Recruiting Impact: Strong academic reputation helped attract high-achieving athletes despite the lack of athletic scholarships.
Conference Identity: The Ivy League’s no-playoff policy continues to spark debate about fairness and exposure for FCS programs.
Program Stability: Coach Teevens’ long tenure provided continuity, helping maintain consistent performance over multiple seasons.

The 2015 campaign served as a transitional year, setting the foundation for future success, including Dartmouth’s Ivy League championship in 2019.