Penn State has been waiting all winter to play a game in anger, and finally on Saturday the Nittany Lions were able to do just that, facing Wisconsin in an early DIA playoff game.

Wisconsin took an early lead on a penalty before the Nittany Lions took the lead with a try from Michael Eife. Jimmy Ronan’s conversion made it 7-3. Ryan McNulty added to the lead just before the break, but the game remained very tight until the final quarter. Wisconsin, in fact, scored their lone try right after halftime to make it 12-8, and it remained that score until the final 20 minutes.

“It was a really tough game,” said Penn State Head Coach Chris Amoratis. “They were quicker to the breakdown than we were, and did a really good job of isolating our runners and turning the ball over. It took us a while to counter that.”

Penn State had been able to get a couple of warmup games in - beating the Buffalo men’s club and losing on the last play of the game against the Schuylkill River men’s club. That experience was crucial in getting the Nittany Lions back in game form - as did being able to train on turf fields.

“We finally settled down and started to play well,” said Amoratis. “We don’t really have a traditional flyhalf-controlled game, but Ryan McNulty did a really good job there.”

With about 20 to go prop Zach Barnes nabbed a Wisconsin lineout ball and bulled his way over for a key try. Ronan’s conversion made it 19-8. After that, Penn State started rolling. Sean McMahon scored and then with a minute to go Pat Cusick set up Robert Irimescu for the last try.

So while the score ended up 33-8, three tries in the final 20 made it look far more lopsided than it was.

Penn State now waits a week before traveling to Life University for the DIA quarterfinals.

“It’s been a while since we were in the national playoff conversation,” said Amoratis. “Winning a playoff game is big, and it’s great that we’re back in the mix. We know we’re here partly because Kutztown couldn’t do it, but the Rugby East is really competitive, and it’s just good that we’re able to keep going.”