Gallaghers face off at Dartmouth
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Saturday marks the final game of the 2007 season for the Princeton University and Dartmouth College football teams, but the first meeting between brothers Kevin and Pat Gallagher.
The Gallaghers played two seasons together at The Hun School. They will line up on opposite sides when their football teams meet 12:30 p.m. in Hanover, N.H. Pat is a junior in the regular defensive line rotation for the Tigers; Kevin has seen action as a freshman at tight end in the last three games for Dartmouth.
”Me and Kevin had this circled on the calendar from the beginning,” Pat said. “Whoever wins get the turkey leg on Thanksgiving. That was decided over the summer. It’s cool. I’m happy to see him again. It’s been a while. It’s cool to see him as a player. He works hard. I’m happy to see he’s gotten a couple reps this year. It’s a special thing. I want to make sure I’m as prepared for it as any game.”
Both teams are coming off losses. The Tigers are 3-6 overall, 2-4 and playing for a share of at best third place in the Ivy League. Dartmouth is 3-6, 3-3.
”Our parents are going to be up for the game,” Kevin said. “Whenever people talk to me, they ask if we’ve play Princeton and Pat yet. I think it’ll be fun. I think the programs are pretty equal. Dartmouth has made great strides. We were picked eighth and we were in third last week. That’s a big jump.”
Both admit that this game will hold increased significance for them. The Montgomery residents will continue to be close after the game, but during the game they will be doing their best to help their respective teams win.
”Last year, I went to the game,” Kevin said. “Princeton won unfortunately. I ended up going on the field since they were celebrating winning the Ivy League and it hit me. Next year, I’ll be down on the field in the Green and White.”
Despite Pat having spoken highly about attending Princeton, Kevin chose to attend Dartmouth. The position coach that originally was Kevin’s main contact at Dartmouth, Adam Hollis, now coaches the tight ends at Princeton. Kevin, though, settled on Dartmouth.
”I talked Princeton up to him, and I talked him up to Princeton,” Pat said. “I can’t fault him. He’s got a good fit. It’s a good program to be in. Coach (Buddy) Teevens is a good coach. It’s a good thing to be in right now. It was my second choice. He made his own decision. He does his own thing.”
That the brothers ended up at different schools isn’t so remarkable. The two have plenty of differences. Pat is generously listed at 6-feet, but packs 255 well-constructed pounds onto that frame. Kevin is 6-3, 240 pounds.
”We’re very different,” Pat said. “Our body types are different. I had a leg injury when I was little and that stunted my growth. Kevin is more of a finesse athlete. I’m more of a bull in a china shop.
”We’re both very different athletically. He brings things to the table that I just couldn’t do. And I’m the same way.”
It was Pat’s enjoyment and success in football that drew Kevin to the sport as a freshman at Hun. Now both are playing college football.
”We talk pretty much after every game,” Kevin said. “We’ll at least text each other after every game. We keep tabs on each other. Even during preseason, he was pretty supportive of me. He asked me how it was going and how school was.”
The two haven’t been on opposite sides in a long time. You would have to go back to their childhood to find the last time they were going all-out at each other.
”We were younger,” Kevin said, “but when we got older, we got too old to keep doing that without going to the hospital.”
Their battle Saturday will be restricted to the structure of the football finale or both teams. Tight ends and noseguards don’t frequently meet up, but they won’t be avoiding each other Saturday.
”I’m the third tight end, but second in a couple packages,” Kevin said. “If one of five people go down, I’m in the game.”
Said Pat: “I see some potential. If he goes out for an under route, he better watch out. The one upside for me is I make plays downfield. In the Penn game, I broke up a pass to a tight end. So there might be some Gallagher on Gallagher contact.”
Both are happy to have that chance by getting on the field. It is Pat’s first years as a regular contributor for the Tigers.
”It changes a lot,” Patrick said. “I always prepared a lot. I always watched films. Mentally, it’s a lot more exciting when you know you’re going to be on the field. When you’re preparing, you get on edge. It’s a reward in itself. You get excited for it and it’s a great, great thing.”
Pat’s experience on the field this season, after two years primarily as a practice player, has helped him improve his play.
”I guess I control blockers better than I have,” he said. “I’m seeing different looks better, different alignments. When you just practice, you get used to the same guys. There are very different lines in the league. Each line has a personality and you get used to them.
”Dartmouth’s line looks good. They all have two years experience. They’re big dudes and good players. They’re going to present a challenge. We’re going to have to bring our A game to beat these guys. We have to do everything right to beat them. They’re not slouches. They’re not going to miss an assignment.”
His brother Kevin is on the end of that experienced line. He has been thrilled to get playing time as a freshman on a team that has shown plenty of improvement.
”A lot of things have been coming together,” Kevin said. “We have a lot of seniors who are starting. They’ve really taken it to heart Coach Teevens’ messages. Each year, they’re getting a lot better. My freshman class, we have a lot of good guys. A lot of guys from my class are seeing a lot of time this year. A lot of younger guys are picking stuff up from the older guys. It comes down from the top with Coach Teevens. Everyone is taking his things to heart.”
While both will be taking aim at each other this Saturday and doing everything in their power to secure a win, they are also mutually appreciative of each other’s talents and teams. Pat is happy to see that Kevin is getting on the field already in college after getting a later start to his career.
”He didn’t play until freshman year,” Pat said. “His basketball background helped him out. His freshman year, he was a big kid. His sophomore year, he got in better shape and his junior and senior year he was a player. He worked hard to get where he is.”
Kevin has seen plenty of Pat on film while preparing for this week. And he expects to see more of him in the game Saturday.
”I think he’s done well,” Kevin said. “He did well against Harvard. I’ve seen him on film a couple times. He does well with the time that’s given him. He doesn’t start and play every down, but he takes advantage of every snap he gets.”
He just hopes that Pat doesn’t make too much of an impact. As for their parents, who will make the trip from Montgomery, they are torn between cheering for the boys, who will be going head-to-head for the first time.
”They said they have no idea who to cheer for,” Kevin said. “Every once in a while, they drop hints it’s Dartmouth. But I think maybe when they’re talking to Patrick, they’re talking about (cheering for) Princeton. This will be the trial run for next year.
”I think next year, hopefully Dartmouth will be 9-0 and Princeton be 9-0. I think that would be ideal if that happened. I know we’ll have better record as time goes on.”
Added Pat: “The seniors are the biggest thing. My goal for this game is to give the seniors a big send-off.”
For one of the Gallagher brothers, there will be bragging rights for a full year after Saturday’s matchup. Bragging rights and a Thanksgiving turkey leg that’s sure to taste just a little bit better than usual.

