Big Results All Around D1A
Big Results All Around D1A
Well ... that was interesting.
Here's what happened in D1A today.
No, I Don't Think So
Cal Poly (GRR #11) put to rest any discussion of whether they would be overtaken for 2nd in the California Conference, as the Mustangs beat the upstart #21 UCSB Gauchos 73-13 to secure that 2nd spot.
That wrapped up the conference season for both teams, with Cal Poly ending up 7-1 and UCSB 6-2. UCSB actually scored first with a penalty goal but the width and speed of Cal Poly's play was the answer with Peter Mazolewski scoring two tries and Ryan Wenstrom, Nicho Domine, and Thomas Hartanov all scoring one.
In the second half, Dean Hall scored for Cal Poly before UCSB got their first try from George Grant on an eightman pick. Buck Zierhut, Tyler Roberts, Wenstrom, Tyler Riley, and hooker Jack Zilligen on a 55-meter run all touched down after that. John Nagengast's try at the end got one back for UCSB> Cal Poly flyhalf Coby Baker set up many of the tries and slotted nine of the 11 conversion attempts for 18 points.
Also in the California Conference, San Diego State won their third in a row, beating UCSC 33-26 to improve to 3-4. Santa Clara also won, overcoming some injuries to beat UC Davis 41-34.
The Big One
That would be #8 UCLA 22-12 over #5 Saint Mary's.
More here: UCLA Downs Saint Mary's in Tense Encounter
The Other Big One
Cal (GRR #4) beat #12 BYU 48-17 in yet another match where it was close at 50 minutes but the Cougars saw their opposition pull away.
Cal fell behind 12-0 before tries from Solomon Williams, Michael de Beer, and Emmett Cook turned it around. Still, it was 19-17 at halftime and 22-17 Cal at 50 minutes.
Cook would score two in quick succession to log his hat trick, and Dom Paga scored soon thereafter. Bryan Bogne finished it off, with Rand Santos converting five of the seven tries and adding a penalty goal.
Or How About ...
A week after beating BYU at home Arizona (#9) crossed the country to play in chilly West Point against #10 Army. The Black Knights won a tight one 24-19. Dakota Wagner, Jacob Bottarini, and Chance Loudenback (with Howard Hellers conversions) staked Army to a 19-7 lead at the break. Dyln Liskey's try made it 24-7. But Arizona worked their way back and put Army under some serious pressure.
Nick Morgan (again), Mattox King, and, on a brilliant, scrambling run, Antonio Gonzalez, scored tries for Arizona, with Matteo Berenger converting the first two. Army did well to finish out the game keeping Arizona in their half.
"I was proud of the team for a very strong first half performance and for the effort put forth defensively to survive an inaccurate second half. We are capable of being more accurate and consistent and must be going forward to reach our potential," said Army Head Coach Matt Sherman. "Thank you to Arizona for coming out, and we wish them well with the remainder pf the year."
"I believe that this game was won in the forward pack," Matt Leslie told GoArmySports. "We were smashing them at every breakdown and that's what opened up opportunities outside. Moving into this week we still need to continue to build our atritional identity for a full 80 minutes and playing smarter in our own half of the field."
Also This Weekend
Life (GRR #1) won comfortably over #14 Arkansas State 56-12. Davenport (#16) showed well in a 65-13 Midwest Conference win over McKendree. Central Washington won another close, high-scoring game, beating Trinity Western 57-48. CWU has scored 104 points in their last two games. Bad news? They have given up 89.
