The two top NCR D1AA teams from this fall are in this weekend's final, but spare a thought for two teams that were just inches away.
Louisville didn't even make the NCR playoffs, as the MAC only received one sed to the NCR knockouts. So it was all or nothing in the final. Louisville played Bowling Green twice, losing in the regular season 28-27 and 34-33 in the MAC final.
Two games, two one-point losses. For a team that made the NCR D1AA final in 2023, it was tough to have to stay home.
"There was a tiny difference between the two years," said Louisville Head Coach. "We had expectations and it's too bad the MAC didn't have another seed. But we had 60% to 75% of our team freshmen at some point. We gained some experience of what is needed at the next level. A lot of the guys come from good high school program, but every time you go to next level, whether it's from high school to college or college to the MLR or international it's a big step up. So players need to understand the rigors of playing college rugby at a high level and execute skills at a high level."
But it's also about the mindset. Playoff rugby at D1AA is a different mentality, said Walton. "You look at Bowling Green, and they are very. very committed to their cause and their team. They're crawl on a broken leg to finish the game. For some of us, that's a lesson learned."
While Walton said he feels bad for the seniors who weren't able to get back to the playoffs, the experience this year was a good one for the younger players. What the seniors said to the freshmen was, don't take the time for granted.
So it was a good experience off the field and behind the scenes, and on the field, too. Freshman lock Matthew Woods has emerged as a player to watch, and wing Jack Eberle was a player Walton ended up apologizing to—he didn't take Eberle to the finals in 2023 and later decided that was a mistake.
"I regret that. He's a phenomenal talent."
Eberle and scrumhalf/fullback Ryan Cammarata are players to watch in the 7s season for sure.
