While this might seem a big shocker, and certainly it was GGA's first ever win over Gonzaga, it was possible to see this coming.

Gonzaga graduated a large number of special players

"We focused really heavily on defense," said GGA Head Coach Garret Van Beek. "That's been a big emphasis for us. We get back up and in the line and and stay connected and we put them under a pressure. I think we did that."

The other part of GGA's plan was to limit mistakes.

"Gonzaga punishes you for every mistake you make," said Van Beek. "They're so slick. We had a big focus on limiting those opportunities for Gonzaga—not providing mistakes on our end which they turn into points. They can hurt you, so we looked at how we can reduce those opportunities, and when we did that we kept them from playing the way they wanted to."

Leading the defensive effort were loose forwards Will Seele and Jude O'Herron. They set the tone on defense, while center Liam Treece showcased some nifty moves and was part of a backline that produced a very pretty chip-and-chase try in the second half. Treece's defense and communication were also key, but, added his coach, "we needed all the guys working together on the field. We talk about being humble, and being disciplined, and while we're proud of what we accomplished we need to stay humble."

For Gonzaga, this is something they've encountered before. They have lost early games—new players, new combinations, new challenges—only to piece together a championship-level team a month later. Gregory the Great should deservedly be flying high, but Gonzaga will not be down; they will simply get back at it.