The new plan from CRAA to have the Challenger Cup is kicking off this weekend.
Four teams will play in the quarterfinals with two teams, Mary Washington and Grand Canyon, getting a bye to the semifinals on April 19.
The final will be played May 3 as part of the CRAA's championship weekend in Indianapolis.
Air Force vs Ohio State
After a successful Bowl Series win in December, Air Force played UTEP and Colorado this spring as well as two teams while on tour in Italy. They won all four. The trip to Italy was part of their bi-annual Rugby Leadership Initiative.
Now finishing up the season with a playoff is welcomed by the Zoomies.
"We are excited to be invited and grateful to compete in the CRAA Challenger Cup and are looking forward to this matchup in Columbus against a very strong Ohio State team," said Air Force Academy program head Jeff Burrows. "Our seniors are especially excited for this match as it will be a re-match of sorts of the Fall Classic 2021 in Charlotte, NC when they were just beginning their rugby journey. They are looking forward to showing fans, their parents, and our alumni all that they have learned since that match almost four years ago and how they have mentored our players newer to the sport to maintain our team development and rugby culture. Credit goes to our players as they balance the rigors club rugby with their academics and military duties."
“The keys to our success are to play simple effective rugby and maintain ball possession in the right parts of the field," added Head Coach Phil Schwan. "We want to ensure constancy of our speed of play and dominate at the gain line, both offensively and defensively.“
For their part, Ohio State had a rough go of it in December's bowl games in part because of a slew of injuries right before the game with St. Thomas. But the Big 10 champs are establishing a new coaching staff, with the help of their longtime coaches and program directors. But it's not really a team in flux.
"First, we welcome being in the first ever Challengers Cup. I think it's a great idea by D1A to expand post-season opportunities," said Ohio State Program Director Tom Rooney. "Second, it's Air Force, a well-respected opponent over the years. Third, we all are learning playing into the spring how it affects the roster, player availability, and injuries."
"Team-wide it will be important to establish our physicality," said Coach Allan Hanson. "The academies are always fit and physical and the Zoomies are no different. Will be important for us to establish that aspect of our training early in this game. Adherence to the game plan and core skill execution are the two other important factors that will contribute to our success on the weekend.
"Many different variables at play when it comes to winning and losing; some things within our control, some things beyond our control. Because of this, success and a winning result are two different things for us. We are certain that if we give unwavering effort, implement the things we’ve worked on at training and execute on the core skills of our positions, that we will have success. If we have a successful day we have seen enough evidence to trust that this will put us in a position to get the desired result."
By the way, Hanson will be getting married on Saturday. The other new coach for the Buckeyes, Peter Malcolm, is in the wedding party. No word yet on whether they will have the game on the big screen during the reception (there is time for both Hanson and Malcolm to get to the game ... just sayin').
You can watch this game, kicking off at 4PM et, here>>
