Sacramento State and Fresno State remain undefeated in the California DIAA Conference after both won Saturday.
Fresno State defeated San Jose State 48-28 to move to 4-0. Led by the playmaking of Isaiah Kruse, the Bulldogs are looking to continue the form that took them to an ACR DIAA spring title in 2022. Head Coach Stepan Antameysan said his team isn't there yet, but they are making progress.
"That group of 15 starters last year had 12 players who had been with the team for a few years," said Antameysan. "This year we have a mix. We have a lot of incoming freshman who can play and some guys who never played rugby before but are athletically minded and have their body mechanics down. They're mixed with some returners."
Much of the attack goes through Kruse, who just has the vision and speed of thought as well as of leg to get things done. Up front co-captain CJ Banuelos has been a vocal leader and also sets the tone in the scrum. Against a bigger SJSU pack that was key for the Bulldogs.
He will also step in and kick a conversion or two, especially when Kruse scores on a long breakaway.