Liberty Latest as D1AA Starts and D1 Heats Up

This was the first big weekend in the Liberty Conference, in both the NCR D1 and D1AA divisions.

D1AA

UMass opened their account in impressive fashion with an 88-5 defeat of Niagara. Yale, which had a solid 2024-25 season, beat UConn 24-12.

But perhaps the notable results were Boston College 71-21 over Buffalo, and Babson 42-22 over Columbia.

For BC, this was a fairly strong performance in their first conference game.

"We're really happy with our start," said BC Head Coach Rob Conway. "Although we were a little rusty at times, which can be expected, I think we handled the physicality well and we were able to keep the pace high. It was important in the first game of the season that the lads were patient and allowed the game to be dictated by ourselves."

Flanker Louis Parry-George led the effort in the forwards while new back Peter Murphy, slotting in at fullback, also impressed.

"We have a lot of very high expectations for the upcoming season," added Conway.

Meanwhile, Babson jumped up from D3 to D1AA and this was their first conference game ... something they were a bit trepidacious for. They had played D1 and D1AA teams before, but never in the league. Their 42-22 defeat of Columbia set a good tone.

"We haven't felt as if we were close to prepared," said Babson Head Coach Carrick Pell. "Up until today I hadn't seen the fire in the belly or passion that's always been associated with Babson Rugby. We showed that we have it. I could see the guys were having fun and playing for each other as well as playing with gratitude."

Babson matched up physically with Columbia and their set piece and their defense were consistent, pell added.

"I think we were holding the gainline very well," added Pell. "We were forcing them into the kicking game, and they have a phenomenal 10. But today was the first time we have ever had the capacity to win the tactical kicking game."

Fullback David McMurtray and flyhalf Trey Dino, along with wing Nico Bosa, all Class of 2029, can all kick well. Cole Thompson was named player of the game, but McMurtary kicked for 17 points, and Logan Mestler was a defensive leader and showed a ton of hustle to chase down a kick to score. Prop Lucas Cerrahoglu, flanker Ike Kanu, locks Dash Scure and Finn Gargan, and No. 8 Charles Price all put in big performances.
Price was excellent over the ball and also started a movement that resulted in a try from 80 meters out.

"We are a long way from proving that we belong in D1AA," warned Pell. "But today was the first step."