What is still a relatively inexperienced Auburn Tigers team defeated Montana State 31-12 Saturday to win the CRAA Men's DII title at the CRAA Fall Classic Saturday.

Auburn brought a fast-paced rush defense to the party and it was that approach, coupled with their ability to make that all-important first tackle, that ultimately won the game for the Tigers.

The game was intense, physical, and fast-paced, but didn't yield a score until midway through the first half. Bolstered by the running of No. 8 and captain Peter Millen Montana State took an early lead when flyhalf Connor Ericksen skipped and spun through for a try under the posts, which he converted. Ericksen's ability to slide through gaps and then feed his support was a key weapon for Montana State.

Auburn, for their part, used flyhalf Niko Spino to create and link with centers Danny Helton and Ethan Gill. And when those centers were tied up in the ruck, they often had tighthead prop Garrett Newman and lock Autin Kosco there instead. Both forwards showed some good mobility and passing ability and worked well together. And in fact it was a little run from Spino and then a bigger run from Newman that got Auburn their opening try, which Spino converted for a 7-7 tie.

Back and forth the teams went, with the collisions both in the tackles and in the clearouts immense. Auburn got a big run from Helton and then a little weak side scrum move set it up for Spino to slide wide and score to make it 12-7 at halftime.

When the teams re-took the field for the second half they mixed as they changed ends, with several of the players shaking hands or exchanging a quick hug. It was a touching scene of inter-team camaraderie in the middle of the game.

"It's rugby, man," said Millen after the game. "It's a sport of camaraderie. We were just wishing each other good luck and acknowledging the battle that's on the field. It's not all hate on the field."

Still the hits were earth-rattling and continued to be so throughout the game. But with Auburn getting into MSU's faces, the Bobcats also had to contend with the loss of Ericksen, whose shiftiness helped them ease that pressure. He sustained a leg injury and didn't return, and that was a blow to the Montana State attack.

"It's tough," said Head Coach Joe Williams. "When you lose a starter, especially in that flyhalf position and then our backup's a freshman ... but he got some great time and experience which is good for a young team."

Newman went over in a pile for his second try and then after the forwards tried to gain the line, Spino worked his way through several tacklers to touch down under the posts.

Suddenly it was 24-7 and MSU was having trouble getting into scoring position. Auburn's speed and their teamwork was winning the day, and then a big run from wing John Sipes capped it off.

Montana State did get one late through prop Conner Lane, and that was just an indication, said Williams, of how his team didn't stop working.

"We're a club sport team like everyone else," said Williams. "Over a couple of weeks raise $16,000 ... keep school up and keep the coaches working, it's tough. But it's all been a great experience."

"It was an incredibly physical game," added Millen. "Auburn came out hard, everyone came out hard."

Also strong for Montana State was flanker Jackson Ellbogen-Pettersen, who put in a massive effort on defense, in the breakdowns, and on attack. He was involved in almost every good thing Montana State did. Prop Isaac Ogu, and lock Lex Minniear also stood out.

But in the end, Auburn, a program that has not been prominent on the national stage for a long time, showed they can not only win their conference, but win across conference boundaries as well. And for Newman, who just took up the game recently, it was an MVP day.

"I love playing with everyone; I wasn't sure we'd have a team at the beginning of the year, but everybody showed up and decided to be physical and here we are now," said the prop. 

"Throughout the season we knew our strength was in our 12 and 13, so every game we try to make the other team try to stop us in the 12 and 13 channel," said Head Coach Nick Prather. "I think that's worked well. Our defense was strong all the game."

"Playing flyhalf is really easy on this team," added Spino who praised his scrumhalf Mark Dunn and for Helton at center. "[Helton]'s going to be the future of Auburn rugby. Smart kid, good decision-maker. When I have guys like him and Garrett ... it gives us an advantage."

Auburn also benefited from a tough schedule, with two tight games in the SCRC against Georgia Tech (a tie and a close win) and Memphis (a close loss and a close win). Those games certainly prepared Auburn for a battle at the Mecklenberg Sportsplex in North Carolina, a battle they won in impressive fashion.