After entering the season as conference favorites, Bowling Green capped off an undefeated Mid American Rugby Conference season with two victories this weekend.

The Falcons beat Miami of Ohio soundly 53-13 on Saturday to win their semifinal and set up a meeting in the final with Western Michigan, who beat Dayton 17-12.

Sunday, in a tense game, Bowling Green held off WMU 31-22 to win the conference title.

“We didn’t play our best game, but at the same time Western Michigan really came out really fired up,” said BGSU Head Coach Tony Mazzarella. “For some reason we couldn’t secure our kickoffs - something we’re usually good at. We couldn’t shake them. We’d score and then we’d commit a penalty and they would come back and score. We just needed to play defense and be patient.”

Bowling Green weathered a tight first half to change ends 10-5 up. In the second half, they started to expand their lead, slowly. Hooker Phil Bryant bulled over on a pick-and-go for one try, and then scored his second in grand style. Bryant picked up a loose ball and took off. The cover defense closed in and he kicked a grubber deep into the WMU 22. A WMU defender and Bryant arrived at the rolling ball just as it bounced high. Bryant nabbed it and pulled out of one last tackle to score.

That try thrilled the spectators and also put Bowling Green up 31-12. They would give up two tries late, but the Falcons held on.

Along with Bryant, No. 8 Sean McFarland was big for Bowling Green. The veteran didn’t see a lot of the ball, but was a stalwart presence in the rucks and on defense. Scruhmalf Mitch Sora was very active and kept the ball moving from forwards to backs.

“We have a young team, but we have had just the right amount of veteran leadership,” said Mazzarella “We have a group of six upperclassmen who have taken charge, and then a group of freshmen and sophomores who take their rugby really seriously. It’s been a good mix.”