Clemson hosts Life University this evening (Friday) in the only game for the Life varsity undergraduate team this fall.

It's a game of importance for Clemson, too, as it's Homecoming and a chance for the Tigers rugby program to show off what they've built. The game was moved from Clemson's regular fields because two weeks ago the football team's tailgating during heavy rains basically ruined the Clemson rugby pitch. No matter - the games (Varsity and JV) go on as planned, in Easley, SC.

The JVs kick off at 5:30pm ET, wiht the Varsity at 7pm. Live stream will be here. 

There are some extra connections between these two teams. Life scrumhalf Kevin Lynch is the son of Clemson Head Coach Steve Lynch. In addition, Life prop Estevan Florez started playing rugby in Italy, learning the game from Lynch, who was stationed in Italy with the US Navy. Lynch also coached Cody Melphy in Glendale, Colo.

"I've pulled for Life for three years, but I have an incredible group of kids here who want to make a statement," said Lynch.

Meanwhile, this is the first varsity game for new Life undergraduate Head Coach Scott Lawrence, who is not new to Life University at all, of course. 

"We still have a very young team," said Lawrence, who took over for Tui Osborne when Osborne moved to Buffalo, NY. "We had several freshmen starting in the DIA final last year. They didn't become seniors overnight. They are now only sophomores. And we have a new crop of freshmen, so we're working hard to bring the freshmen up and build some depth."

Lawrence said the basic principles of Life Rugby remain, and they conitnue to put more pace and efficiency in their attack.

"We are working really hard on laying the foundation this fall," said Lawrence. "We want to get the basics right. These games are a good opportunity to get some live fire and get some feedback. Clemson is a good team and will put us under pressure, but we're more focused on ourselves and what we can do."