Well we're starting the action in Men's D1 college rugby, and here's a look at what has happened so far this weekend.
Big Wins in Big Ten
While Big Ten teams didn't sweep the weekend, three looked pretty good.
Indiana Rolls
Indiana won comfortably 77-7 over Kansas with three tries each from Will Chevalier and Peyton Wall, and two each from Zach Marsh and Sam Story. Front-rowers John Ries and Captain Pat Murtagh and front-rowers John Ries and Russell Lemaster (now a prop after being a No. 8 for years) also touched down. Chevalier converted six tries for a personal haul of 27.
Purdue vs Trine
Meanwhile, Purdue welcomed Trine University into the world of rugby with some tough love. The Boilermakers won 63-0 in the season opener for both, and the inaugural program game for Trine.
Trine was big and athletic but are still working on coming together as a team. Purdue gave up a turnover early but rallied on defense and took control of the game. Wes Stephens thundered through for an early try and the Boilermakers built from there.
Luca Mcallister’s decision-making and distribution at flyhalf was impressive and he was helped by centers Stephens and Michael Murphy establishing themselves as runners early on. From there Zander Visser’s support from fullback was a key ground-gainer. In the forwards Greg Oldridge dominated ruck after ruck while freshman Will Strahm (Westfield HS, Ind.) had to step in at starter at hooker due to an illness to the regular starter. He did very well, performing smartly around the field and being accurate in the lineout throws. That set a nice attacking platform for Purdue.
Visser was named player of the game for his four tries.
Ohio State over Notre Dame
Playing Friday night in advance of the Notre Dame vs Ohio State football game, this game started the way the football game started, with Ohio State favored, and ended with a Buckeye win in both cases. The Buckeyes started strong with a lineout and maul for a try from Max Clark. Harry Colbert was good on the kick and a penalty later and he also converted Jack Mikolich's try to make it 17-0 and almost (but not quite) a point a minute.
Colbert added another penalty and then pounced on a ball knocked loose by a tackle to race in. He converted and it was 27-0 at halftime. Fullback Taylor Gleeson capped off a nicely-taken try and Colbert converted for a 34-0 lead. Notre Dame did turn the tide a bit and scored two tries in the final quarter, one a penalty try. Colbert capped off a counterattack to score his second to finish off the scoring 39-14 for Ohio State. Colbert, who is a transfer from Trinity (Dublin University) in Ireland, logged 24 points on the day.
Big Rivers Opens Up
Marian put a bit of a scare into Iowa Central in the opening game of the Big Rivers Conference. The Knights led the Tritons 19-15 at halftime behind tries from Tommaso Lorenzetti, Clay Peters, and Peters again. Lorenzetti converted both of the Peters tries. But Iowa Central got a bit of a boost with the wind at their backs in the second half, and Marian's discipline started to falter.
Impact players off the bench also helped Iowa Central, filling in as injuries hit.
"The wind was about 20 miles per hour at times," said Iowa Central CC Head Coach Brent Nelson. "But it was a beautiful day. I've known Coach [John] Hartley fir a few years now since he was at Fishers and I recruited there. I knew he would have his boys playing hard and tough and they did. There will be no easy outs in the Big Rivers."
Three tries in the second half and a clean sheet on defense saw Iowa Central emerge 34-19 winners.
