GRR: Southern Nazarene
This year's NCR women's D1 playoffs were a drastic departure from the previous years.
With the addition of a completely new program, the influx of a growing new program, and the appearance of previously-CRAA conferences, the landscape was always going to be different.
In a Bowl Game clash between two very different teams, Fordham met Southern Nazarene in Houston during NCR’s finals weekend.
SNU came in as a new D1 team in NCR but, thanks to some geographic isolation and an independent schedule, not a clear path to the playoffs. Ultimately, with SNU still being new to this level, a bowl game made more sense.
Sam Houston State torched Southern Nazarene 66-24 to win the Lonestar Bowl at NCR's championship weekend.
Southern Nazarene is a new school-supported program and is very young. They have produced a solid record, but were up against it facing a big, powerful SHSU side.
Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla. has announced that it is adding men's and women's rugby to its athletic department, and has hired former Yukon HS Head Coach Aric Gilliland as its Head Coach.
SNU is moving quickly with its rugby program, and will take the field this coming spring in 7s. Gilliland will run both teams.
