Well, they keep on winning.

At some point we’re going to have to recognize that Indiana has a very good chance at upsetting the DIA apple cart. Certainly the DIA Top 20 voters think so, as IU sits solidly at #4, ahead of the likes of Utah, Kutztown, and this coming weekend’s opponent, Penn State.

“We know where we’re going, and we know the level of competition is going to be much higher,” said IU Coach Sarasopa Enari after last week’s 44-17 win over Wheeling Jesuit.  “I don’t feel like we are there yet. We are probably 75% of where we should be.”

Several players have shone through Indiana’s season, including center Bryce Campbell, wing Jake Hidalgo, and wing Teddy Terezis, whose goalkciking has been excellent.

Having a solid goalkicker makes any team tat much more dangerous, and Enari knows it.

“We’ll take every opportunity to kick and Teddy and the team know this,” said Enari. “We look at where we are, and especially on a a small field if there’s a penalty at the 50-yard line, take a crack! Even if we miss, the message is there - if they keep on messing up, we can punish them.”

Up front IU isn’t flashy.

“The forwards understand they they need to do the donkey work and win the ball to let the backline operate,” said Enari. “Our loose forwards are really stepping up. They understand their role and how to get to the breakdown.”

Against WJU, Enari used some youngsters to test them out - Aaron Hancock and Connor Marsh are both accomplished products out of Penn HS in Indiana, and Noah Schrader was a standout for the Royal Irish, also in the Hoosier State. Enari said they all played well, but he has push Schrader especially, asking him to play a full 80 minutes - something high school players aren’t used to doing.

“They’ve got to learn what it’s like,” Enari said.

And he needs to develop that depth. Injuries have made it a little difficult for IU to put all the pieces together in every game. 

“It makes it harder to get the rhythm and timing and general field awareness down,” said Enari.

Somehow, though, they seem to have done just that. Since August 29, IU has gone 15-0-1, with that 41-41 tie with Furman being a game where Enari ran out some younger players.

The teams they’ve beaten include Michigan, Davenport, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Kutztown, Middle Tennessee State, and now WJU. But Enari wants to see more.

“We need to have more games and we need to challenge ourselves,” he said. “We have some expectations. Playing a weekly game is one thing. Knowing the level we’re trying to get to and be successful at is another; it’s still a work in progress.”

Tale of the Rankings

Indiana is ranked #4 by DIA Rugby, and Penn State is #8. Goff Rugby Report ranks Indiana #6 among all DI teams, and Pennm State #11.