Lindenwood University (St. Charles, Mo.) rebounded from a somewhat humbling loss to Central Washington University a week ago with two victories on a trip to Colorado.

The Lions defeated the University of Colorado 84-0 on Thursday, and the United States Air Force Academy 53-7 on Saturday.

Against the Buffaloes, LIndenwood spun the ball all over the field and torched their hosts in the backline. Every single Lindenwood back - Mickey Bateman, Nick Feakes, Alexander Augspurg, Joe Livesey, Lorenzo Thomas, Christian Rodriguez, and Michael Baska - scored at least one try. Right wing Rodriguez scored three, and left wing Augsburg scored four.

Also scoring was No. 8 Wes Parker, who was the only forward to score. Feakes kicked five conversions, and sub flyhalf Nick Taylor two.

"After letting in some tries last weekend, it felt great to keep a clean sheet," said Livesey, who played inside center. "Colorado was on our line a few times, but we kept organized and kept them out. On attack, we just reaped the rewards of playing our shape."

Gio Falco, who subbed in at scrumhalf, said that the Lindenwood players were disappointed with their tempo of play against Central Washington.

"Getting the ball to Feakes quickly was key today. It allowed us to really get the ball moving and score points convincingly," added Falco.

On Saturday, there was no clean sheet, as a long series of phases in the Lindenwood 22 led to the forwards bashing at the line. The 5th attempt by the Zoomies got them over. However, at that point, Air Force's try made it 29-7 Lindenwood. 

The Lions forwards got the scoring going early, as flanker Michael de Waal burst through the Air Force line and then lock Chris Kelland burst onto the pass off the ruck and was over. and Feakes converted and then scored one of his own when Parker went forward off an eightman pick and popped it to his flyhalf for the try. A penalty by Feakes made it 17-0 at halftime.

Air Force started the second half working their way through the phases, but opportunistic as always, Rodriguez intercepted a pass and went the distance. A nice play off a lineout set up Baska at fullback before Air Force scored their try.

Tries from Baska, Rodriguez, Colten Hernandez, and Bateman at center, with Feakes converting two, finished off the scoring.

"Air Forces was fit and tough," said Lindenwood hooker Gabe Romero. "They continued to keep pace through the match. Once we battled through the altitude, we were able to really step on the gas in our attack."

"We had some early handling errors but it was great to get a little confidence back before our Mid-South [Conference] season," added Baska. "Air Force moved the ball a lot and was challenging to defend."

For Feakes, who scored 18 against the Zoomies, it was Air Force's ability to move the ball that made the Lindenwood defense work for it.

"They played some very good physical rugby and spread the ball well," said Feakes. "We managed to string together some good phases, get quick ball thanks to our forward pack and score a few tries. It's nice to bounce back and play some attacking rugby after being starved of possession against Central Washington. This weekend helped us get over that loss. Cristian Rodriguez was magic down his wing and scored some tries that very few players in college rugby could have scored. The score doesn't reflect the quality of the game. Air Force were a well-coached, extremely disciplined team."

Rodriguez was indeed magic, and someone Head Coach Josh Macy calls "one of the more unique players in college rugby."

He is extremely shifty and he is finding more work around the field and, added Macy, "he is finding his voice as an on-field leader."

Hernandez, who plays flanker, was very strong as an impact player off the bench, and forced several turnovers, while at prop Chance Wenglewski was a strong scrummager who, said Macy, "is getting much more nimble on defense and settling into his role as a punishing ball carrier."

So in their last four games, dating back to last fall, Lindenwood is 3-1, having beaten Navy, Colorado, and Air Force, and lost to Central Washington. 

"It was a tough tour that saw a squad of 34 play four games in three days," said lock and captain Jack Huckstepp. "It was a great test for us and pressured our organization and recovery. It was a great time to bond with the boys and see some beautiful country. The progress on the field was the cherry on top."