College teams got going early this weekend, with several crossover matches and even a conference game.

Wayne State vs Kansas

This was a non-standings game between two teams in CRAA’s Heart of America Conference. Wayne State is a new member of the conference and this was their first effort within the conference. The Wildcats took the win 50-19. The Jayhawks put together some good sequences and got a solid showing from freshman flanker Brian Highland out of Utah. 

But led by prop Trent Draper and wing Asante Rikhotso (who scored two tries) and with No. 8 Marlon Guwuriro putting in a player-of-the-match performance, Wayne State pulled away. Francisco Rolon also scored two tries and scrumhalf Ben Donnelly added 15 points with the boot.

Wayne State Head Coach Bryn Chivers said his team is somewhat low on numbers (although he should have a roster of 40) but high in quality. They return 13 of last year's starting 15, and they bring in Juan Cruz Diaz from Argentina,  Anthony Chambers from Omaha, and Guwuriro, a Zimbabwe U20 player, who transferred from Adrian College.

Draper leads well. "He’s an exceptionally good prop with a high rugby IQ, who spent the summer in Colorado playing for the Vail men’s club and got to captain them towards the end of their season," said Chivers.

In this matchup with Kansas, both teams played it straight-up (15 starters, eight subs despite it not being a full conference match.

"It was hard hitting and both teams gave as good as they got, and both lost players during the game," said Chivers. "We weren’t as fluid as I would have liked but there were certainly positives. We were solid in the set pieces, but we struggled to find our shape in the open play, but this is to be expected in the first week of practice. When the speed of the game slowed, and the spaces opened up, we were able to rely a little more on skill and we scored some nice team and individual tries."

Michigan vs Rio Grande

Michigan came out strong against Rio Grande and led in the first half. After Ethan Manuel scored for the RedStorm the Wolverines came back with a Jack Regan try converted by Luke Zana to tie it all up. Then as halftime approached Luke Gurwin went over to put Michigan ahead 12-7 at the break.

In the second half Rio Grande exploded. Thibault Carrere slotted a penalty goal and then tries from Che Spiotti, Manuel, and a penalty try put the RedStorm ahead 31-12.

Michigan responded well with a Maximo Nelson try but they were running out of time. Luke Turner’s penalty goal made sure Rio Grande stayed three scores ahead at 34-19.

Michigan ended it up with Ryan Beske going over to score and being tackled high; penalty try.

So the final score was 34-26 and while Rio Grande will be happy with the win, Michigan’s fight back in both halves showed something for a strong club team playing a school-supported program.

So a loss for Michigan, but Head Coach Christian Mentzer took a lot out of it.

“The big positive for us was just getting a lot of our guys their first college rugby games—three freshmen in the starting 23—and three guys their first ever rugby games.”

That included football convert Noah Howes starting at loosehead prop, wrestling convert Alu Salih starting at lock, and wrestling convert Jack Cummings also on the gameday 23.

“I was happy with the performance after our grueling pre-season practice schedule against a solid varsity program like Wheeling, but we still have a ton to work on if we want to make some waves in the Big Ten this year,” said Mentzer.

Next up for Michigan is a quick turnaround for a Friday matchup with Notre Dame.