In the final weekend of Rugby East action, Penn State defeated previously-unbeaten Kutztown, but KU did just enough to secure the conference championship.

Both teams scored three tries, with Penn State kicking three conversions and a penalty for 24 points, while all three of Kutztown’s tries went unconverted, leaving the score 24-15.

Kutztown could clinch the conference with a bonus point for four tries (which they just missed, seeing one potential try go begging because of a dropped ball), or for a close loss (one successful conversion would have given them that). They failed in that, but even with a loss to Penn State, all they needed to do was deny the Nittany Lions four tries. At halftime, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that PSU would get four, as the Lions led 24-0 and had scored three tries.

But in a drastic turnaround of momentum, Kutztown held Penn State scoreless, lost the game, but held on to win the conference by one standings points, 30 to 29.

“It’s weird, you win the big game but you don’t win the conference,” said Penn State Head Coach Blake Burdette. “I think they were feeling it a little, too, as they won the conference but didn’t win the game.”

The story of the game was possession.

“We wanted to focus on keeping possession,” said Burdette. “We’re good when we have the ball in hand and our best defense is our offense. We did a really good job in the first half of starving them of possession.”

Kutztown Head Coach Gregg Jones agreed.

“I didn’t have a watch on it but I think they had the ball 30 minutes in the first half,” Jones said. “When we had the ball we did good things, but we just didn’t see it. Both teams were physical in the breakdown but they had the edge, and with that they were able to keep possession. Penn State did a great job.”

Penn State opened up the scoring with a try from Jimmy Haley, converted by scrumhalf Jimmy Ronan. Ronan, the Gonzaga HS product and former HS All American, has been brilliant with his goalkicking all season, but on this day he was the difference, making some difficult kicks. Ronan added a penalty, and then converted Chris Burian’s try to make it 17-0. Near the end of the first half flyhalf Mike Eife slipped through and Ronan converted that one, as well.

But Kutztown did not buckle, and ramped up their work rate in the second half.

“I am pleased with how we fought back,” said Jones. “We got more ball and showed how dangerous we were.”

And defensively KU did the job, preventing Penn State from scoring the try that would have won the Nittany Lions the conference. 

Robert Stortz scored early in the second half. Then the KU forwards mauled one in, and Joe O’Shields went over. The Bears had opportunities to score once more to ensure the conference title, but couldn’t quite do it. In the end, it was their defense that finished it off.

Meanwhile, Burdette praised his team's gritty play, and that was exemplfied by freshman lock Jack McLean, who was playing well before he broke his wrist in the first half, and finished the game playing just as well with the injury. 

Next up for the Rugby East Conference champion Kutztown Golden Bears is the ACRC Bowl Series clash with Indiana.

Also in Rugby East this weekend, Wheeling Jesuit won big over West Virginia 86-13, led by strong games from Max Lum and Peter Malcolm. St. Bonaventure defeated University of Buffalo 36-7.

Here are the final conference standings.