SNU Win Over UCLA Potentially Clarifies NCR D1 Playoff Picture

11.01.2026College Men

SNU team after beating UCLA.

Author: Alex Goff

Southern Navarene's close win over UCLA seems to, perhaps, clarify the NCR D1 playoff picture.

SNU has been trying to get into the middle of that picture, and this year the Crimson Storm has done quite well to set that up. As independents they can only play who is available and that means some D1AA teams, albeit some strong D1AA teams.

Wins over Texas A&M and Oklahoma were not inconsequential, and they then went on to beat Iowa Central. North Texas, Air Force, and ICCC once more. Add in close losses to a Lindenwood XV and to Queens and you've got the makings of a solid record.

And then they beat UCLA, taking the game 35-33.

SNU Head Coach Aric Gilliland said he had scouted the Bruins on film and he saw what he expected—"a very clinical attack at times, able to hit quick if you give them space, opportunistic and aggressive in the counter ruck, and a team that takes pride in their maul."

So they prepared for that, but the SNU players were quite tired after the first half.

"These boys are well conditioned but we spent too much time defending our half," said Gilliland. "Took a toll. I was proud of our bench for running on and finishing the game. Some tremendous effort and some strong IQ moments helped us hold on and get the win."

Gilliland gambled on a split of six forwards and and two backs on the bench. It was a new look for the Crumson Storm.

"We lost two of our centers to injury in the last two weeks and decided to ask junior James Robertson to fill multiple rolls as a run-on for center or wing,: said Gilliland. "He did an excellent job early on the game as a blood sub and then later in the game as a finisher."

Team Captain and center, Connor Malauulu, put in an excellent performance. Gameday captain and lock Jordan Gillispie led the pack, while Hlanga Mabele was strong at scrumhalf. Flyhalf Tommy Wilson made all his kicked in the 35-33 win.

But, stressed Gilliland, it was a team win.

With this result it's highly likely that SNU will make the NCR D1 playoffs as an at-large, and, given the close result and the effort NCR went into bring UCLA into the fold, it's hard to imagine they won't give a spot to the Bruins.

With eight places assigned, we can discuss who will be in the NCR D1 playoffs:

Walsh Win Over Queens Finalizes ARC Conference Finals Day Matchups

Atlantic #1: Winner of St. Bonaventure vs Walsh
Big Rivers #1: Winner of Aquinas vs Marian
Big 10 #1: Indiana
Liberty #1: Winner of Brown vs Dartmouth
Atlantic #2: Loser of St. Bonaventure vs Walsh
Big Rivers #2: Loser of Aquinas vs Marian
Big 10 #2: Winner of Notre Dame vs Wisconsin
Liberty #2: Loser of Brown vs Dartmouth

(With wins this weekend Dartmouth and Brown are 5-0, both ahead of Fairfield. So it comes down to the Big Green vs Bruno next week to see who is 6-0.

At-Large (Four teams)
Southern Nazarene (7-2 with a close loss to Queens and a win over UCLA)
UCLA (3-3 but close enough to SNU)

Two of these .... Fairfield (4-2 and 3rd in the Liberty), the winner of Queens vs Kutztown in the ARC, Wingate (undefeated against cross divisional opponents in the South), winner of Indiana Tech-vs-ICCC, lose rof Notre Dame vs Wisconsin, the loser of Queens vs Kutztown.