This weekend in D1A College action brought a few surprises.
Life University defeated longtime rivals Arkansas State 31-14 in Marrietta Saturday.
In a defensive battle in the first half, it wasn’t until the 26th minute that anyone scored—Seth Kros went over, and Jony Lee’s conversion made it 7-0 for the Running Eagles.
Hooker Adam Chadwick added a try just before halftime for a 12-0 lead, but Life still had a lot of work to do.
Life pressure led to penalties and, eventually, a penalty try for a 19-0 lead. The Red Wolves responded to make it 19-7, and added another to get within a score at 19-14.
But tries from Ignacio Munoz and Leon Best put the game out of reach 31-14.
Saint Mary’s also had early trouble as they took on BYU in Provo.
The Cougars took an early lead after a James Tenney tap penalty move (the move being … run straight ahead and dare anyone to stop him).
A bit of back-and-forth meant it was still 7-0 BYU midway through the first half. The Gaels were unable to converted on an attacking lineout, but off the ensuing scrum got a free kick and a quick tap from Ollie Cline set up flyhalf Sosaia Pongi for a try under the sticks.
Captain Mario Storti converted and it was all tied up.
BYU responded with a long period of attacking ball on the Saint Mary’s 22. Hoever, that ended with a nice counterruck from Saint Mary’s and a kick off the base from Storti that flew and rolled 80 meters. The Cougars got the ball at their goalline, but the chase was excellent and all the Cougars could do was boot it into touch.
From that lineout the Gaels ran a move for their off wing, Iosefa Toai’ivao, and scored.
The Cougars pressured right off the restart and after a penalty the forwards thundered over.
Hands out saw Dom Besag set up Siale Ofa in the corner to make it 19-12. The Gaels started to slowly pulled away after that.
Broken play set up a speedy run from Pongi, and as the second half progressed a thundering run on the outside from Besag, set up by an excellent pass from Ethan Younger, and then more joy for the wings.
The Gaels ultimately won 45-12.
