GRR: Auburn
One of the issues within American collegiate rugby, especially past the most elite teams, is how one defines a division.
For much of the history of collegiate rugby, when there’s been a divisional split, what division you’re in depends on you. You basically announce that you’re D1A (if you’re accepted), D1AA, D2, etc.
The opening 7s tournament among SCRC teams saw a bit of a surprise as D2 team Auburn came away champs.
What is still a relatively inexperienced Auburn Tigers team defeated Montana State 31-12 Saturday to win the CRAA Men's DII title at the CRAA Fall Classic Saturday.
Auburn brought a fast-paced rush defense to the party and it was that approach, coupled with their ability to make that all-important first tackle, that ultimately won the game for the Tigers.
Aside from the NCR DII college playoffs there was another important DII college game going on last weekend.
Auburn defeated Memphis 25-15 to win the SCRC DII and book a place in a championship clash with Rocky Mountain champs Montana State at the CRAA Championship weekend in Mathews, NC Dec 4.
Auburn and Memphis both won in the SCRC Men's DII conference, setting up those two, along with Middle Tennessee State, as the leading teams in the conference.
Memphis beat MTSU 26-17 in a game that certainly implied that everyone is pretty close (Memphis beat Auburn 12-7 earlier in the season).
But Memphis Head Coach Blake White had a different view.