St. Thomas, Arkansas State, and Mount St. Mary's came out winners on Day Two of the CRAA Fall Classic Sunday in Spartnaburg, SC, but every one of those games required the winning team to overcome a deficit.
St. Thomas vs Ohio State
This Bowl Game pitted what could well be the strongest D1AA team in CRAA, possibly anywhere, against the D1A Big 10 champions. Ohio State came into the game ranked #17 among D1A teams (ranking by Goff Rugby Report), but they were also dealing with some player absences. Injuries and exams that couldn't be rescheduled meant that OSU traveled to Spartanburg with 29 players for a B-side match against Arizona on Saturday (won by Arizona) and the Sunday match with St. Thomas.
They picked up a couple of injuries on Saturday, but that didn't mean Ohio State was a weak side, by any means. St. Thomas, meanwhile, were dealing with the fact that they hadn't played a lot and were still finding their way as they look ahead to the upcoming Florida D1AA season. Athletic, and packed with players who have played for a long time. St. Thomas was generally considered very dangerous with ball in hand, an assessment they proved correct as the game went on.
Ohio State's plan was to control possession and field position, and not allow St. Thomas's speedy backs to get the ball. It worked early-on. A brilliant finish by wing Jaydn Garnes put OSU ahead 5-0. And more pressure from the Buckeyes produced a maul try for hooker Maximus Clark. Up 10-0, Ohio State looked like they had a plan. St. Thomas responded with a penalty goal, but then started to get more ball. Flyhalf Welton Charumbira was speedy but also quick to use his teammates. A brilliant breakaway from scrumhalf Tshepang Mtubatuba set up fullback Noku Mukumba for a champagne rugby try. Charumbira blazed through for another try, and a big break by flanker Jobe Knapton put St. Thomas well and truly in front.
The St. Thomas forwards did enough to get possession, and Ohio State were forced to work a little faster to get players over the ball to keep possession. When they didn't turnovers were red meat for St. Thomas.
Ohio State kept battling. Eddie Marxen at prop was a warrior, center Chris Mason caused St. Thomas concern, and freshman lock Jayden Williams was a hard carrier. But a few more injuries made things tougher for them and a lack of set piece consistency didn't help.
In the end it was 62-20 for St. Thomas. Charumbira scored 22 points and Mukumba as game MVP with three tries. Garnes scored twice for Ohio State and wing Connor Fairfield also capped off a very nice score for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State captain Jack Dulik said the team's game plan was solid and they were confident it would yield positive results, but they were dragged out of that plan too often and when they couldn't control possession, St. Thomas was just too dangerous.
Mukumba and Charumbira credited their teammates for their success (37 points for the two) but it was clear that even when they passed or kicked, their speed and elusiveness had to keep the OSU defense honest.
Arkansas State vs Penn State
In a game where Arkansas State was a big favorite, Penn State, coached now by ASU alumnus Zac MIzell, surprised many by taking the lead on multiple occasions. Penn State's scrum was impressive on the day and put the Red Wolves under some pressure, and in fact a scrum penalty led to the opening points. Arkansas State responded with a long series of pressure, carrying hard. Penn State's defense met them with strength, but penalties in the breakdown ultimately backed the Nittany Lions back to their tryline. Their tenacity, however, led to ASU being held-up in-goal, and the Red Wolves knew they were in for a fight.
When Penn State got the ball back they played wide and fast, almost broke through on a couple of occasions, and finally saw flyhalf score on a pick-and-dive. Arkansas State's pressure finally told with a well-executed lineout-and-maul for hooker Tiaan Ingram to score. But Penn State continued to play as if they had nothing to lose, which was true.
Right off the restart the teams traded kicks and then Bruno sliced through a rather desultory ASU chase and beat the last man with a pass to outside center Ian DiPangrazio. Just like that it was 15-7.
Arkansas State scored later in the first half. The Red Wolves opted to run out of their 22. Fullback James Beauclerc sped down the sideline and then nudged a grubber into the Penn State half. Wing Onika Sethosa toed the ball ahead, and when the ball slowed near the tryline, nudged it ahead once more with superb control so he could dive on it. It was a brilliant score that changed the momentum.
ASU kept it a one-point game with a rather astonishing goalline stand, and the teams changed ends with Penn State up 15-14.
Penn State would expand that lead when prop Cole Stoeppelwerth powering over from close range and it was 20-14.
Arkansas State replied with a surge that saw them score three tries An lineout-and-maul after some fancy running set up Ingram for his second—Warrick Day's conversion put his side up 21-20. More adventurous play out wide got ASU close and wing Aidan Hertz scored from a meter out.
Now 15 minutes remained and it was still a one-score game at 26-20. Penn State had shown plenty of ability and the only frustration for them was one ore two good scoring chances in the second half that didn't yield any points. And then Arkansas State struck again. A lovely flat pass from Day put Liam Van Putten through and he set up Sange Mbuto to go in under the posts. Day converted and Arkansas State had a two-score lead. Penn State didn't flinch, got back into the Arkansas State 22, and then passed up a very kickable penalty option to tap and go for the try. It worked, as Stoeppelwerth was once again big man on campus with the pick-and-drive.
Up 33-27 Arkansas State put the game away with some snappy ballhandling and a short dive (again) by Hertz. With three minutes left there probably wasn't enough time for Penn State to come back, but they didn't capitulate and scored a brilliant try as time expired. Bruno cut through for about 30 meters and then beat three defenders with an excellent pass out to Rob Derkasch, who finished it off.
Final score 38-32.
This was a hugely entertaining game and showed that Penn State is certainly in the conversation as a tough out in D1A Rugby. Arkansas State will be happy with the win, and they had to work hard for it.
