In an early-season meeting of DIA teams, the University of Arizona put Santa Clara to the sword 55-5.

This was a game where the two teams were considered relatively evenly matched. And yet, the Wildcats were clearly the stronger team.

“Our defense was the theme of the week; glad it translated,” said Arizona Head Coach Sean Duffy. “Santa Clara fought hard. They are young and aggressive.”

Next week, Arizona travels to face Cal. It’s what Duffy calls the second step in his two-step set of road openers, in which he is trying to get his team used to what it’s like to play playoff rugby.

As for players, Wildcats hooker Cam Hudson “was fantastic,” said Duffy, while wing Anthony Spencer also had a good game.

This result is a big step for Arizona in getting them to an at-large DIA playoff berth.