More ARC Shakeups

10.17.2026College Men

St. Bonaventure gets back on the winning track. Alex Goff photo.

Author: Alex Goff

Funally a not-super-close game for St. Bonaventure, as Bonnies defeated Wheeling 29-7 Friday night in Atlantic Rugby Conference action.

With the win, Bonnies improved to 3-1.

"We wanted to make a statement after the tough loss and I think we did that today," said SBU Head Coach Danny Neighbour. "We've been very unfortunate this season with injuries right from week 1 of preseason, but the lads have stepped up and answered the call. We haven't had a week without losing someone to injury but our depth and quality allows us to carry on completing."

The big work-on from their loss to Walsh was finishing when they were close to the tryline. Bonnies came away with no points from at least six visits within the five-meter when they hosted the Cavaliers.

But against the Wheeling Cardinals it was a different story.

"This last week we talked a lot about patience in the 22. We worked hard on strikes and managing our attack in the green zone. That showed today," said Neighbour. "The lads are starting to trust and believe once again that we can be the team to beat."

Atlantic Rugby Conference (ARC) Men's NCR D1 Standings October 17, 2026

October 17, 2026

Atlantic Rugby Conference (ARC)

Meanwhile, the team that beat St. Bonaventure two weeks ago, Walsh, lost to Kutztown. The KU Golden Bears have been knocking on the door for some weeks now, and this week they exploded for an a massive first-half lead, scoring four tries, and adding a penalty to lead 29-7 at the break.

Walsh turned things around a bit, and started to haul in the Bears. KU got a couple of cards and that didn't help them, but Kutztown held on 32-26.

"A big shift from our forwards," said Kutztown Coach Jeff Duke. "We got some physical defense from them and I am really proud of the resilience."

KU was led by scrumhalf Tuli Leuga, who was a sparkplug.

"He is showing a lot of growth and maturing," said Duke.

With these results, everything all bunches up. There is very little to separate Bonaventure, Queens (who edged St. Thomas in a non-conference match), Kutztown, Walsh, and Belmont Abbey (idle this weekend).

Queens is in a strong position as they have Wheeling (not a poor team at all but winless in-conference nonetheless) coming up, Kutztown takes on Bonnies and Walsh plays Belmont Abbey.

A week later Queens and Walsh wrap up the regular season.

The top team out of the ARC will get a bye to NCR's D1 quarterfinals. The #2 team will get a spot in the opening round of the playoffs, and there are four at-large bids. With the closeness of this conference, it's not inconceivable that two more teams might get a bid.