Middle Tennessee State took control of the South Independent Rugby Conference North with a 44-24 defeat of previously-unbeaten Georgia Southern.

 

MTSU struck first with a try from Adam Fairchild with the conversion from  Coty Baker. Just minutes later Georgia Southern replied to make it 7-5. 

 

In a tense first half it seemed every point would be crucial, MTSU opted for posts on a penalty and inched further ahead 10-5. Then MTSU came right back with a try from Josh Pentecost to make it 15-5.

 

But Georgia Southern replied again, testing the MTSU defense with some straight-ahead running and exploiting some missed tackles to score and make it 15-12 at the break.

 

But the second half was MTSU’s, as they made some adjustments and scored three early second-half tries. 

 

Midway through the second period Georgia Southern scored to make it 32-19, but once again MTSU pulled away, scoring two more to make it 44-19.

 

Georgia Southern got a bonus point by scoring their fourth try, but the five points for the bonus-point win went to MTSU, which now sits at 4-0 in the SIRC North.

 

The teams in the SIRC South were idle this weekend. Florida International has won four games and is in first place, but it’s likely their 82-7 win over Florida Atlantic will be overturned because FIU used an ineligible player.

 

That forfeit loss can open the door for Central Florida. The two-time DIAA national champs were upset by FIU earlier in the fall but will be in a better position to catch their rivals if the FAU game is ruled a forfeit.