Kutztown Clinches Rugby East
Kutztown Clinches Rugby East
Kutztown University finished off a perfect run in the Rugby East, securing a five-straight bonus-point victory to clinch the conference title.
Saturday, the Golden Bears pulled away from a tenacious St. Bonaventure team to win 83-7.
"We are elated to not only win the conference but to accumulate 25 [standings] points and go unblemished in the Rugby East Conference," said Kutztown Head Coach Gregg Jones. "This is a young side that suffered two setbacks last year to Army and Penn State by a combined total of seven points. Our players just felt that if they were going to acquire regional and national recognition, they were going to have to go forth and earn it."
The game was 7-5 in favor of St Bonaventure into the 26th minute. but then Thorne O'Connell zipped over for a try and Kutztown never trailed after that.
Aaron Gray scored three tries and Dmontae Noble scored three also as Kutztown went over the line 13 times. Playing a lot of defense, Bonnies began to tire in the second half and congregated too close to the rucks, opening up space out wide, and that's where Kutztown hurt them.
Kutztown has traditionally not opted to play in the D1A playoffs in the spring, but then the Bears haven't won the conference in a few years, either. With a guaranteed berth not dependent on rankings, KU might well opt to pitch-up in the spring.