Some Head-Turning Results in D1 College Over the Weekend
Some Head-Turning Results in D1 College Over the Weekend
Surprises and upsets?
We certainly saw a few in men’s collegiate rugby action over the weekend. Here’s a look at a few results we thought were especially interesting this week.
Wisconsin
After a couple of relatively rough years the Wisconsin Badgers unleashed an impressive 41-29 defeat of University of Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish led 21-10 at halftime and the Badgers then unleashed 31 points in the second half.
But Wisconsin has quietly been preparing for this and working to recruit, improve their individual skills, and play better as a team. It's that team ethos that has sparked the win, and with the UW backline's ability to finish their scoring opportunities, they pulled off a huge victory.
Does this signal a more competitive Big 10 this season? Quite possibly.
Colgate
It wasn't so much that Colgate beat Stony Brook, but the fact that it was a shutout.
Prop Luciano Sebastianelli, wing Ben Grunther, hooker Luke Rosenweig, fullback Zach Greenberg, and captain Tommy McHale at center all scored tries.
McHale also converted two.
That result moved Colgate to 2-0 in the Liberty D1AA.
Binghamton
Same story here. Binghamton won, but the deal is they controlled the scoring and won by a 33-0 shutout.
Flyhalf Liam Heanue scored two tries and converted four, while No. 8 Will Otondi also touched down twice. Scrumhalf Mike Drumm also scored a try.
It was a nice showing from a team that had already lost, by a single point to Colgate.
TCU
The Dust Off The Rust tournament was of course a preseason tournament and so you don't put too much credence into the results. Still, TCU beat North Texas 2nds, Texas State, Texas State, and University of Dallas to the tune of (combined) 90-0. That's right, a clean slate on defense.
New Head Coach Gordon Hanlon has been charged with bring TCU rugby back to the fore.
"You never really know where you stand until you get to actual games," Hanlon told GRR, adding that he and his coaching staff are pretty happy with the opening salvo. "I've always said that if you want to make a tackle you will, and if you don't. you wont, no matter how good the defensive system is. So I am very proud that we didn't concede a point all tournament. The guys really showed how much it means to them with their commitment at the point of contact. That was a key win for us. We wanted to be precise and we were for the most part."
A week ago there was exactly one player on the TCU team who had played rugby before. Now, said Hanlon, they have 21. Now they just have to build on that.
Purdue
Another team that has struggled somewhat in the Big 10 but has started well is Purdue. Yes they played DII team Grand Valley State, but winning 52-3 is worth a look.
"Both our forwards and backs have pushed themselves to be accountable to each other and maintain and take possession this season at all phases of the game this season, something we were sorely lacking all last fall," said Head Coach Cory Crouch.
Sophomore John Kustra, a product of the Vienna HS club program, ran out as captain because regular captain Eddie Murphy was injured. He led by example and scored two tries. Patrick O’Donnell was exceptional at scrumhalf, keeping the continuity goal and adding 17 points with a try and six conversions. Sean O'Donnell, a transfer from TCNJ, capped off a well-taken try on the wing, and the pack worked nicely tofether. Sophomore lock Beck Sebastian (previously of the Pendelton HS club program) was a big man contesting lineouts and stealing or disrupting GVSU throws.
