Here's a quick note on the DIA playoffs.

West Point beat Life 39-18 in a really interesting game in which Life kind of punched Army in the mouth early on. But some superb work from blindside flanker Koikoi Nelligan helped spark Army to come back and take the lead. Army's maul was very effective and their defense, after giving up an early try, was excellent.

The upshot is that Army will move on to the semifinals to play the winner of Lindenwood vs Arkansas State, which kicks off at 5PM CT here>>

UPDATE: Lindenwood defeated Arkansas State 41-10. But before you think of this result as a comfortable game for Lindenwood, consider that Arkansas State led 7-0 as late as 30 minute in—that's right, it took the Lions half an hour to score. And it was 10-10 at halftime. It wasn't until the 48th minute that Lindenwood took the lead.

So Army hosts Lindenwood next week.

Cal looked clinical in moving out to a 33-5 halftime lead over Central Washington, and cruised to a 43-26 victory in Berkeley. Back from injury, wing Marcus Shankland scored four tries for Cal and hooker Jack Manzo scored two.

“My tendency is to dissect our performances, but this is the time to just thank Central Washington for the match and turn the page,” Cal Head Coach Jack Clark said. “Next Saturday is a new match with a good opponent, and the occasion warrants all our attention. We are grateful to advance." 

And we saved the most thrilling for last.

As predicted by both coaches, BYU vs Saint Mary's was much closer than the first two meetings between those teams. BYU's defense was much improved and they didn't make those momentum-killing turnovers. the BYU forwards bashed it over to take a 5-0 lead. Saint Mary's equalized on some nice backline play near the end of the first half. 

But not AT the end of the first half. That was BYU, mauling it over in the corner. Tayson Hammer's superb conversion from the touchline made it 12-5.

BYU scored early in the second half on a break from flyhalf Wyatt Parry  and Saint Mary's were in real trouble down 17-5. The Gaels replied with some slick ballhandling putting Jonathan Hackett in at the corner.

That made it 17-10. Saint Mary's came back and almost scored but lost the ball as they went over the line. But the Saint Mary's forwards got them close and Inoke Waqavesi got a flat pass and slide under the grasp of the defenders to score. Conversion good and it was 17-17. You see where this is going.

BYU regained the lead through the pack, with Billy Ternney picking up and crashing over. Now it was 22-17.

With time almost up, Saint Mary's had one more shot. They got a couple of penalties, which they had to run, and BYU defended and defended. Finally, Waqavesi cut through the middle from short range. Karl Keane kicked the conversion in front of the posts, and the Gaels finished it off with a perfect example of running simple phases to run out the clock.

Saint Mary's 24, BYU 22. BYU almost did it.

So Saint Mary's will visit Cal next week.