It's been interesting to see how teams and players step up in cross-divisional games and more challenging games. 

How a player steps into the fray when playing a team that is heavily favored or a big challenge is how we, over time, find special competitors. We do have some standouts in blowout games, but it's the close games we notice more.

Logan Ballinger, Life University

The young flanker was huge on defense as Life opened their Rugby East season with a victory over Mary Washington.

Roanin Krieger, Navy

Krieger's contributions at fullback and handling the opposition's kicking game are often overshadowed because he is such a fine goalkicker. But it's worth noting that he not only scores points, but saves them, and was equally adept at both, once again, this time in a win over Kutztown.

Reynard Boshoff, St. Bonaventure

In yet another key victory for Bonnies, this time over Penn State, Boshoff was outstanding working the lineout as the thrower and his overall play around the field was inspirational.

Josh Millin, Belmont Abbey

A try and four conversions helped Millin pace the Knights with 13 poitsn and he was key in getting the team working and attacking in what was a stop-star win over North Carolina.

Lawula Bata, Wheeling

Bata's two tries helped spark the Cardinals to a defeat of Thomas More University in a key Big Rivers matchup.

Damir Conci, Principia

A close victory over Marian depended on a lot of things including Conci's generalship on attack and his kicking for territory. Add to that the fact that the game was on a kknife edge and he his three key conversions and you've got a player who heavily influenced the outcome.