California DIAA Latest
California DIAA Latest
Sacramento State and Fresno State remain undefeated in the California DIAA Conference after both won Saturday.
Fresno State defeated San Jose State 48-28 to move to 4-0. Led by the playmaking of Isaiah Kruse, the Bulldogs are looking to continue the form that took them to an ACR DIAA spring title in 2022. Head Coach Stepan Antameysan said his team isn't there yet, but they are making progress.
"That group of 15 starters last year had 12 players who had been with the team for a few years," said Antameysan. "This year we have a mix. We have a lot of incoming freshman who can play and some guys who never played rugby before but are athletically minded and have their body mechanics down. They're mixed with some returners."
Much of the attack goes through Kruse, who just has the vision and speed of thought as well as of leg to get things done. Up front co-captain CJ Banuelos has been a vocal leader and also sets the tone in the scrum. Against a bigger SJSU pack that was key for the Bulldogs.
He will also step in and kick a conversion or two, especially when Kruse scores on a long breakaway.
For Sacramento State, it was a tight game in wet conditions against Chico State. Both sides likely wanted to spin it wide and use their pace, but it was not really possible in the conditions.
The Hornets captain, Miles Brown, led from the front with massive carries and strong defense. Sac State's starting hooker had to pull out this morning due to a family emergency and Marcos Romero, usually their openside flanker, stepped in and was very good, and still managed to get around the field to make plays as a flanker.
Flyhalf Kellan Fisch had his hands full trying to move the ball with the Chico defenders in his face all day, but he managed. He was defensively sound against Chico's forwards, scored a try, and added seven points with the boot.
"Our defensive and fitness work were the difference, in my opinion," said Sac State Head Coach Steve Seifert. "Chico is a very tough squad with quality players throughout. We may be facing them again in a few weeks."
After a little break Sac State and Fresno State will meet up to decide the #1 seed. But both teams get home field advantage for the semifinals anyway.
Unofficial standings.
| California DIAA | W | L | T | PF | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Fresno State | 4 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 55 | 129 | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Sacramento State | 4 | 0 | 0 | 175 | 74 | 101 | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Chico State | 2 | 2 | 0 | 85 | 83 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| San Jose State | 1 | 3 | 0 | 111 | 154 | -43 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Stanford | 1 | 3 | 0 | 65 | 160 | -95 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Nevada-Reno | 0 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 111 | -94 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
