Ohio State Hosts Notre Dame in Fall Opener
Ohio State Hosts Notre Dame in Fall Opener
We're just into the Labor Day Weekend and already some college teams are in for a big test.
Few games turn as many heads this early as Notre Dame at Ohio State. This is actually a Big 10 conference game, as Notre Dame has joined the Big 10 Conference, and while the Big 10 season is relatively short (three regular-season games before the semifinals), most of the teams pack other contests into their falls, so there's not a lot of room.
The Big 10 is split into a Western Division with Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, and Wisconsin, while the Eastern Division includes Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. (And yes, we noticed that South Bend, Ind. is West of both Bloomington and Lafayette.)
For Notre Dame this is an intense start for sure.
"After a quick week of some team meetings and conditioning sessions we started our training last Friday and through the weekend with a mini camp, so we packed a lot of material into the last week," said Notre Dame Head Coach Justin Hickey, who expected to keep things fairly simple as his team faces the challenge of the defending conference champions.
"We have a solid, experienced forward pack, and some quality returners in the backline as well," added Hickey. Tighthead prop Chase Pierce and hooker Ethan Zainea anchor the front row, with lock Tommy Smith and flanker Jack Wilson, both seniors, returning, as is back rower Patrick McKenzie. Aaron Ney (scrumhalf), Sean Moran (center), Andrew Packard (wing), and Jamie Warren (fullback) all come back, and new recruits Mike McClamroch (lock), Cam Teza (wing),, Matt Prame (center), and Will Lavender (flyhalf) bring plenty of potential.
But with a changed halfback combination the team overall is working hard on cohesion.
"Ohio State was able to knock some of the rust off with a scrimmage last week, so we recognize we're in for a real challenge, and can't waste time getting stuck in on Friday," said Hickey. "But realistically there will be some early mistakes, the focus will be to limit the errors, and rely on a strong defensive performance for 80 minutes."
That will be against a Ohio State team that lost only three starters, albeit very good ones, from last season. Captain and center Josh Leidich, wing Christian Olney, and No. 8 Joe O'Brien are gone, but 2021 conference MVP Vince Carso returns at scrumhalf and is the team captain. The entire tight five of Leo Bell, Joe Phipps, Maximus Clark, Bryn Watkins, and Luke Misleh are back, with Ohio HS products Eddie Marxen, Sam Hessler, Jerry Radcliffe, and Ian Fairfield looking to push for startling positions.
The back row is really strong. Jack Mikolich is the new No. 8. Hard-hitting flanker NIck Zolikoff is back and so are Brendan Greenwell, Tyler Barone, and Larsen Maasikas. Duke Ballard can play all over.
"It's going to be very competitive in this group," said Head Coach Tom Rooney. "Last year they got better as the season went on. This year we expect a little more yet."
Plenty of familiar names in the backline too with Carso, Conor Forrestal, John Meek, Hunter Simons, and Conor Fairfield. Two players have transferred in from Trinity College—Taylor Gleeson and Harry Colbert. Rooney is high on players moving up from last year's 2nds, including Kris Thornton, Chris Mason, and Conor McKenna.
"Players haven't fallen into who's playing where exactly as we've only had two weeks with everyone," said Rooney. "We have a little more experimenting to do, but our expectations for the backs are very high."
With a solid group of freshmen coming in, too, OSU rugby is looking to start strong and keep it going.
"Coach Hickey had proposed this game on Friday night two years ago, around the football game. Then the Big Ten brought Notre Dame in as a member and suddenly it's a league game with consequences. We are both a bit short on the desired trainings but Notre Dame and Ohio State have been playing against each other going back to the '70's, and they've all been very close matches. Should be fun."