The final four in NCR’s D1AA is set and we will have a new champion; only one of lst year's semifinalists returns.
Aggies vs Wildcats
Texas A&M edged two-time champs Kentucky in a dramatic match 38-36.
A&M led early thanks to a converted try but Kentucky punished a penalty to take a lineout and eventually power it over toe tie the game.
Kentucky almost scored again, this time off a long break following the restart. But the Aggies managed to get out of it. So it was A&M on the attack when the Wildcats interceptd and ran it in from 90 meters to take it to 14-7.
UK made it 21-7 off a nifty movement from midfield that involved six passes.
A&M pressured as the first half wound down; they missed a penalty goal attempt and also had another chance to score that went begging. But ultimately the Aggies were able to get over in the corner, and convert, to make it 21-14 at the break.
A&M would tie it up early in the second half using a set backline move off a scrum.
The game continued to be back-and-forth throughout. Kentucky scored to take a 26-21 lead. A&M answered and converted. Kentucky responded with a penalty goal and a 29-28 lead.
With A&M threatening Kentucky intercepted a pass only for Aggies scrumhalf Neel Menon to rip the ball free, bounce outside and race 45 meters to score.
Now it was 35-29 for A&M with 10 minutes to go.
Kentucky camped out in the A&M 22 for over six minutes. The Wildcats almostgot over the line, were stopped, and finally, off a quick-tap, they did score. Conversion good and Kentucky now led 36-35 with maybe two minutes to go.
But A&M had one more opportunity.
A&M kicked deep and defended. Time ticked away, and just as time was up, or close to it, they got a penalty. Fullback Carim Daher lined up the kick and put it through. That proved to be the final play of the match and Texas A&M had won 39-36.
Falcons vs Hokies
Bowling Green surprised perhaps even themselves with a massive victory over Virginia Tech 66-24.
These two teams normally play a really close game. Not this time. Everything has been clicking offensiovely for Bowling Green these last two weeks.
The Falcons punished Hokies errors. Virginia Tech struggled with their kicking game, sending kicks in open play directly into touch, failing to gain good yardage on others, and misjudging some Bowling Green kicks, as well.
Bowling Green’s All American fullback, Joey Apel set the tone in the first few minutes with a zig-zagging run from midfield to score. All American flanker Phil Tracey powered in a pair while scrumhalf Griffin Wilson and prop Cody Luther both added single tries. Apel was good on six of seven conversion attempts and it was 33-0 at halftime.
The Hokies just could not get going.
Freshman wing Kacey Hathaway went in from long range and then so did Wilson. Virginia Tech finally was able to get on the scoresheet but the game was well out of reach by then.
But Bowling Green put it away with tries from Hathaway, flanker Colt Crabiel, wing Isaac Radke, and center John-Luke Weiler. Radke hit two conversions to wrap it up.
