The West DIA Conference got going this weekend with Colorado at Colorado State and Air Force at New Mexico.

 

CSU had to postpone their Friday night match until Saturday because of the weather, but handled it just fine and shut out the Buffaloes 57-0.

 

Meanwhile, Air Force won big on the road, 59-14 over New Mexico.

 

Air Force Head Coach Joe Muehlbauer had hoped to take his team intoAlbuquerque having played a warmup against Life, but the USAFA transportation plan was changed at the last minute (they use Air Force planes when they can).

 

Still, Muehlbauer said he is expecting big things from his team.

 

“We graduated some key guys, but we’ll be fine,” said Muehlbauer. “New Mexico [was] kind of an unknown but they are always a dogfight.”

 

No. 8 and captain Garrett Jameson has been player very well for the Zoomies.

 

“He’s kind of a classic No. 8 and has been getting us moving forward,” said the coach. And scrumhalf Victor Woo has emerged from being a very good 7s player to being a player who can command the field in 15s. Calvin Johnson is a strong defender at center who is in his fourth year with Air Force Rugby and has benefited from all that experience.

 

With several former football players in the team and bolstering their athletic profile, Air Force looks like one of the stronger teams in the West. But they will have to deal with Colorado State, which made everyone take notice with their impressive showing against Colorado.

 

Next week, CSU visits Air Force in what could be a division decider, and Wyoming opens their league season, hosting New Mexico.