Notre Dame College Wins Big Over Buffalo
Notre Dame College opened the Falcons' 2015-16 DI season with an impressive 55-0 defeat of the University at Buffalo 55-0 at Mueller Field in South Euclid, Ohio.
This was NDC's home opener and was played in front of a big crowd during Welcome Weekend. The Falcons benefited from two good weeks of training before the game - two weeks during which the school's athletic department paid for the students to stay on campus and to get fed.
Late Try Puts AIC Over Penn State
American International College got a late try from flyhalf Jihad Khabir to defeat Penn State 34-27 in an early-season clash between the two top college programs.
AIC took an early lead with a penalty kick from fullback Michele Magistrali, but Penn State scrumhalf Jimmy Ronan tied it up two minutes later.
AIC re-took the lead six minutes later when scrumhalf Kurtis Werner picked up at the base of a ruck and went over. The try came from some good work from the forwards and, with Magistrali’s conversion put AIC up 10-3.
Nine minutes later it was 15-3 when Khabir set up wing Deshae Edwards for a 65-meter scamper into the corner.
Arizona Names Incoming Freshmen
The University of Arizona has named its freshman class for the fall of 2015.
The list of 30 players includes Goff Rugby Report HS Player of the Year Steven Branham, Brian Hannon from the National HS club champion Royal Irish team, and Westlake No. 8 Bobby Butchofsky.
WJU Confirms Coaching Change
WHEELING, W. Va. – Wheeling Jesuit rugby will make their 2015-16 season debut Saturday at 1pm against the University of Cincinnati, with a new Head Coach at the helm.
WJU confirmed Friday that Tal Bayer has replaced Eric Jerpe as Head Coach.
“Tal is an educator. His ability as a coach and his understanding of Jesuit education make him a natural fit to continue the growth of the WJU men’s rugby program,” said WJU President, Rev. James Fleming, S.J.
WJU Interim Athletic Director James Regan said, “Tal was instrumental in growing the program as an assistant coach. It is great to pass the torch on to someone who knows Wheeling Jesuit and the rugby program. We are excited to welcome him as our first full-time head rugby coach and know our team is in good hands.”
Freshman Get Rugby Intro at RPI
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rugby programs - both men and women - got their season kick-started this week with a special get-to-know-the-game event for incoming freshmen.
Big Freshman Class for Lindenwood
The Lindenwood University men’s rugby program has a strong freshman class coming in, highlighted by Iowa 7s sensation Deion Mikesell and Union (Tulsa, OKla.) lead Malon Al-Jiboori.
But Head Coach JD Stephenson said the three-dozen players in the freshman class were chosen in part to handle some holes left by graduating players. But, added Stephenson, he is also just looking for good rugby players.
“We take a holistic approach to recruiting with the need for rugby players that have a good base athletic ability,” said Stephenson. “[We’re looking for] raw athletes that are coachable or a smart rugby player that needs more attention in the weight room. Ultimately however, these were individuals that wanted to be Lions and believed in our program and what we are trying to achieve.”
AIC Takes on Penn State in Preseason Clash
American International College and Penn State kick off their seasons this weekend as they face off in a non-conference game.
The teams have decided to treat it like a regular game - no expanded sub rules or scrimmage rules - and just see who’s got what.
AIC Head Coach Josh Macy said he is very pleased with the chemistry on his team, adding that returning players have worked hard to help new players get acclimated and feeling part of the team.
“Everyone is focused on team - they’re competitive, but supportive.”
AIC has welcomed about a dozen freshmen and they will get tested against Penn State, although most will be seeing action in the B-side game.
“This game is a good practice in all ways for us,” said Macy. “We practice the entire pace and process of a big away game - travel, dress, easting.”
Plenty of Contenders in Big Ten
The Big Ten Universities men’s rugby Conference kicks off on September 19 with nine teams in the conference.
Defending champion Wisconsin doesn’t get started until September 26 when the Badgers visit Iowa. And there’s plenty of competition for the top spot this year. Indiana, remember, was ineligible for the conference championship due to being on probation. IU, which finished with the best record in the conference regular season in 2014, is back in good standing, and is definitely a contender. IU opens up the season hosting Illinois on September 19.
But there are others, too. Ohio State, for years the best team in the region, is hoping to get back to the top. Last fall’s MVP, Santino Cua, is the team captain and heads up a solid back row. Some rebuilding is expected in the backline, but Head Coach Tom Rooney said he likes his team’s chances.
U. Wyoming Alumni Plan to Build Sport in State
A group of supporters and alumni of the University of Wyoming rugby program is speaheading a move to create a state-wide govering body that will build the sport from youth through the ages.
Wyoming remains a strong DIA program, said John Pope, who is part of the group, but has also seen other programs improve. Many of those programs have imporved due to there being more money and support for college rugby. But, said Pope, the growth of high school rugby in several states has helped, too.
Life Adds 12 Freshmen
Life University Men’s Rugby has announced their incoming freshman of 12 players.
Daniel Castagna - Clarksville, TN
Edward Dennett-Smith - Marietta, GA
Carter Hunchik - Richardson, TX
Maciu Koroi - Sacramento, CA
Griffin Kraemer - West Chester, OH
Philip Laurence - Delray Beach, FL
Quadarius Miller - Rivera Beach, FL
Donovan Norphlet - Memphis, TN
Jason Paul, Jr. - Brookshire, TX
Daemon Torres - Round Rock, TX
Brandon Wahle - Plano, TX
Terrance Williams - Acworth, GA
Big Changes at Army
This season for the West Point men’s team is a big one, as the Black Knights attempt to build on a strong showing in 2014-15 with a new coach, the loss of an inspirational leader, and new players.
This summer, Army hired a new Head Coach in Matt Sherman, and graduated Rugby East and ACRC MVP Collum Magee.
But they also have identified key leaders, with Donald Goff (no relation to the GRR editor Alex Goff), being tapped as captain. Goff, a prop, missed most of last season with injury, but did make it back for some games in the spring. Fullback Andrew Borer ended last season on a high and Cameron Hargis was a go-to center on the squad. All three were selected to leadership positions within West Point, as well.
South Carolina Names 2015 Fall Freshmen
Columbia, SC (USC Rugby Release) – Thirty-five freshmen make up the new class of student-athletes on the University of South Carolina Men’s Rugby team, bringing to the Gamecocks an exciting mixture of leadership and athleticism from across the nation that could have an impact on the program as early as this fall.
All to Play for in ACRL
The Atlantic Coast Rugby League, the college conference made up of teams from the ACC, has set its Fall 2015 schedule.
It’s a season full of questions in the ACRL, as defending champion Clemson has undergone a coaching change. Justin Hickey, also the league commissioner for 15s, has stepped down and moved to Pennsylvania, and Steve Lynch has taken over for the Tigers. Clemson graduates some key members of their pack, and will likely be a little younger up front, so this is a season where others might try to unstrap the Tigers.
Among them would be Maryland, which returns several members of their forward pack, led by No. 8 Joe Whalen and Guy Lopresti at hooker. With Ben Cima expected to slot in at flyhalf despite some flirtations with pro academy teams, the Terps should be solid at 2-8-9-10, giving them a core of experience and talent.
College Military Rule Under Scrutiny
USA Rugby continues to be under pressure from various corners to change the college eligibility rules.
Chiefly, the pressure is on to make it easier for military veterans to play. The current eligibility rules, which were adopted in 2012, start a college player’s eligibility clock when the player graduates from high school. The player then has five years in which to play five college season, but can apply for two one-year extensions.
All Americans Train for RugbyTown 7s
The Men’s Collegiate All Americans are in Glendale, Colo. in preparation for their only activity of the summer, the Serevi RugbyTown 7s at Infinity Park.
Head Coach Tony Pacheco has assembled a team that, in his opinion, partially mirrors what the USA senior team is doing. Chiefly, this means height.
“This is the tallest team’s we’ve ever had,” Pacheco told Goff Rugby Report, adding that both USA Coach Mike Friday and Performance Director Alex Magleby have shown interest in fielding a taller USA team. “Mags has said that playing the ball in the air is an area where we as Americans can excel. And we’ve got the players to do it.”
