Bobcats Testing Themselves as Florida D1AA Kicks Off

01.27.2025College Men

St. Thomas was a little close in their victory over Florida State in the opening week of the Florida D1AA league, but the result still has the Bobcats the favorites in the conference.

Florida State got one early try from wing Evan Hallerman and a penalty try at the end of the game. But St. Thomas got a penalty try of their own and three tries—Matthew Arteta and Taonaishe Mapani touching down along with one other—and won 31-12.

Head Coach Gavin McLeavy tested out a few players in different positions, and they found out some stuff.

"FSU was much bigger than us physically in the pack," McLeavy told GRR. "They have traditionally done well against us with height in the lineouts so I went with a taller pack rather than the heavier pack. That was a mistake on my part. Their scrum had us on the back foot a little in the first 20 minutes. but a few changes at halftime fixed that."

Still it was only 7-5 at the break. The Bobcats had some chances but couldn't get the connections right, and the coach felt they left some tries unclaimed.

Despite some handling errors, McLeavy said "I'm feeling good as we've been building a new structure to our practice. I brought the coaching staff in over the holidays for a BBQ and meeting at my office. We spoke about how to improve structure of practice, culture, timing, and maximizing. Some days last semester it was just me and 72 players at practice. We've cut a few players and structured practice by asking coaches to commit to certain days. so now there's always 3-5 coaches there every night and only 50 something players so it has become much more manageable."

The coaches include Miami Tridents Head Coach Dimitri Efthimiou and former Life University captain (and current Tridents captain) Matthew Martin Mairowitz.

"He is a local kid who played rugby in Weston just before Okapi existed. He helps with skills work, organizing the kids a bit, and adding a lot to the cultural side of the team. He also is giving us an idea of how things worked at Life It's useful insight," said McLeavy

Ronnie Suarez, who coached at FIU, is also coaching regularly at STU.

All of these things speak to STU not resting on any laurels. As has been discussed before, they are shooting for a spot in D1A next year, and know that doing so will be another step up.

Will St Thomas Upset the D1AA Apple Cart?

Also winning this weekend was Central Florida, which shut out FAU 24-15. flanker Jarett Brodrecht, No. 8 Noah Morris, and wings Jackson Shaw and James White while hooker Felipe Elizathe added two conversions. That was a very good start for the Knights.

But there's plenty more rugby to be played. FAU is at South Florida next week while Florida State hosts rivals Florida. STU has a week off.