GRR: Navy
DUBLIN, Ireland - The journey for the Navy men’s rugby team (1-0) to defend its national championship began on a high note with a 78-0 victory against Notre Dame (0-1) on Friday in Dublin, Ireland.
University of Notre Dame and the US Naval Academy will play a rugby game in Ireland as something of a pre-amble to the much-hyped football game between the two institutions this weekend.
With the Mishipmen and Fighting Irish set to fave off at Aveva Stadium on Saturday, in a somewhat smaller venue the rugby teams will meet on Friday at Trinity College, Dublin University.
US Naval Academy center Lewis Gray has been named the 2023 Rudy Scholz Award winner as the best men’s collegiate rugby player of the 2022-2023 season.
Gray has been the scoring leader and emotional leader of the team in its 18-0 run to a national D1A championship, capped by Saturday’s 28-22 defeat of Cal.
One of the most enjoyable D1A seasons in recent memory had to end this way.
In one of the best national finals in D1A history capped off the season with Navy's come-from-behind victory over Cal.
A hugely competitive D1A playoff culminates Saturday at Aveva Stadium in Houston with Navy and Cal facing off.
The 17-0 Navy Midshipmen come in after just barely escaping Lindenwood 12-10 in the semifinal. Cal (13-3) meanwhile exploded for 55 points to beat BYU in their semi. Such a close game and yet it was twi the winning margin of Cal (13-3), which held off Saint Mary's 29-28.