Norman Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men's rugby program holds its home opener Friday night with a special event that includes two games.

It's the Penn Mutual's Premier Advisors Group and Legacy Panning Partners present OU Rugby's Opening Night, witha tailgate party and a night game under the lights. The matches are in conjunction with an OU football home game on Saturday.

 "Oklahoma's Tarzan Pitch is one of the most beautiful rugby playing surfaces in America. With the installation of  a state of the art lighting system, we identified that we needed to produce great rugby events at the Al Velie Rugby Complex," said OU Rugby Director Jon Velie. "Opening Night of Rugby Under the Lights pits Oklahoma's rugby team against the same university playing our football team in the same weekend. The Friday night showdown allows it to be the first event for fans of both schools to see their favorite teams go at it. We call it full contact tailgating."

So this weekend, Oklahoma Rugby hosts the Tulsa University Golden Hurricanes, and a Tulsa U21 team, and then on Saturday it's the football Sooners' turn to play Tulsa.

Head Coach Doug Neubauer loves the night matches. "Night games feel more exciting. The boys get pumped, the fans get into it. It is a great way to showcase the hard work this year's squad has been putting in. We are excited to introduce this year's team to very knowledgable rugby community as well as other fans that want to see America's toughest and fastest growing sport"

Larry Naifeh, Oklahoma's Associate Athletic Director and former USA Rugby Collegiate All-American Head Coach, said the association with football helps rugby.

"With expansion of The Gaylord Family Football Stadium, rugby shares its pitch as a practice area for football this fall. The installation of lights came with the football squa," said Neifeh. "The result is a full-sized rugby pitch with an additional practice pitch, both lighted and maintained by the Athletic Department. The gated complex allows ticket sales. concessions and OU Rugby merchandise for sale providing fans with a great sporting event experience,"

Other new features are play by play through a new PA system and Premier Partners and LegacyGroup's presentation of giant checks to Scholarship winners and   Oklahoma Rugby. Matches begin at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 at the gate on the east side entrance.