CSU Win Caps Off 5-0 Conference Run
CSU Win Caps Off 5-0 Conference Run
Colorado State's win over Air Force caps off the Rocky Mountain Conference fall season with both CSU and BYU unbeaten.
With not every team playing every other team in the conference, it all comes down to conference points, and BYU, by virtue of getting a a bonus point in every win this fall, takes the top spot, but the Rams did pretty well for themselves. CSU held Air Force to just one try in the 50-7 victory and held opponents overall to just 10 points per game.
| Rocky Mountain | W | L | T | PA | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| BYU | 5 | 0 | 0 | 393 | 43 | 350 | 5 | 0 | 25 |
| Colorado State | 5 | 0 | 0 | 266 | 50 | 216 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| Air Force | 3 | 2 | 0 | 180 | 176 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Utah State | 2 | 3 | 0 | 98 | 205 | -107 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Wyoming | 2 | 3 | 0 | 86 | 230 | -144 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | 0 | 132 | 194 | -62 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Utah Valley | 1 | 4 | 0 | 93 | 241 | -148 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Utah | 1 | 4 | 0 | 78 | 187 | -109 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
"It was an impressive showing for our team," said Coach Joe Rusert-Cuddy. "Although we had some uncharacteristic turnovers inside our attacking 22 that left some points off the board, we played with a combined flare and physicality. Defensively we laid down a physical market early against an Air Force side that we knew would be athletic, and that helped us keep momentum for the whole match."
So the pieces are coming together. The set piece was efficient at winning ball and Rusert-Cuddy said it's been fun to watch the team execute.
"Our backs were showcasing deft touches off the boot," he added. "Beating Air Force is always a big one in the CSU rugby tradition, so I was happy our really influential senior class got to end that way. The team this whole fall season showed a tremendous amount of buy-in. Our player retention rate was great this fall which made coaches and leadership really happy. Every member of this program contributed to this successful fall."
Rusert-Cuddy added that the team's development side was also solid, which is probably a good reason why the retention rate was so good.
It certainly was a good fall for Colorado State and they have an opportunity to show more in the D1A postseason. They will do so without Head Coach Jone Naqica, who is moving for work, but the foundation of coaches and players is there.
"He will be missed but we wish him all the best," said Rusert-Cuddy. "We have a deep gratitude to Jone and for his contributions to the team."
Meanwhile, BYU was expected to run the table and did so, beating Utah State, Colorado, Air Force, Utah Valley, and Utah. CU was closest at 69-27.
Flyhalf Wyatt Parry scored eight tries in those five games for the Cougars and Zach Maughan scored 101 points with 38 (!) conversions and five tries. This past weekend BYU visited Navy and lost 43-28.
Look for more from both of these teams next year.
