Big Day in South Bend as Big 10 Hosts Finals Day
Big Day in South Bend as Big 10 Hosts Finals Day
It’s time to wrap up the Big 10 with all eight teams participating in the Big 10’s rugby conference playing at University of Notre Dame Saturday.
Notre Dame, of course, is not a traditional Big 10 school but as recent shifts in college sports have sent traditional conference associations into turmoil, the Fighting Irish are much more Big 10 than many others.
As is tradition within this conference, there will be placement games for everyone:
Championship Game: Indiana vs Michigan State
3rd-4th Game: Ohio State vs Illinois
5th-6th Game: Michigan vs Wisconsin
7th-8th Game: Notre Dame vs Purdue
For Wisconsin this has been a resurgent year, but we’ve seen those also from Illinois and, especially Michigan State.
The Spartans got by Illinois 27-21 to book their place in the final behind tries from center Robbie Smith, lock Jacob LaFave, fullback Tom Downey, and No. 8 Jeronimo Ballesty converting all three tries while adding a key late penalty to make it a six-point game. Reserve back Eduardo Ferdinandi also kicked a penalty.
“Every player put in a good performance,” said Head Coach Jim Rogers. who nonetheless got a key defensive contribution from flanker Miles Bell.
“It’s a huge win for us as a team, and the program historically,” added Rogers “We’re already guaranteed our best finish in the Big Ten, but the season isn’t over. One more Big Ten game. It’ll be a really tough game against an Indiana team that, as always, is playing some really good rugby.”
For Indiana, this is the first full season under Head Coach Luke Gross and you can see how the team has responded, winning comfortably over every opponent. Gross was quick to point out how experienced his team is and how young Ohio State was in the semis, but this is still a strong IU side.
“Our forwards are over-achieving big-time,” said Gross. “They are working their butts off.”
This is in recognition that the Indiana backline, with brothers Peyton and Parker Wall nailing down the midfield, Tommy Hannon able to be useful everywhere at fullback, and the Ries brothers Joey and Jack impressing at halfback. Joey is, however, injured and won’t don the #9 jersey this weekend. Still replacement Keenan Makowski knows his business and this Indiana threequarter group can hurt you.
Gross gives much of the credit for their to assistant coach Nick Taylor, but it’s also clear that the comfort level between players and coaches is stronger this year.
Below is the schedule. Note that there is also a B-side final, and this is something the Big 10 has embraced for years and certainly has helped with player retention and the quality of A-side play
