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Written by Pat Clifton
Friday, 20 January 2012 15:53 |
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Aztecs, Anteaters, Trojans, Lions in Action |
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Colleges -
Men's DI College
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 The Pacific Mountain West Rugby Conference (PMWRC) kicks off Saturday with a pair of matches, as San Diego State hosts Loyola Marymount and UC Irvine hosts USC.
The Aztecs' first game in DI-AA will also be coach Matt Hawkins’ league debut. The most capped 7s Eagle ever, Hawkins has butterflies heading into this weekend.
“Obviously a little bit nervous. Not quite sure how it’s all going to turn up,” Hawkins told RUGBYMag.com.
“We had a great week last week. The guys have put in a ton of effort. I just want to see them succeed. I’m nervous, but at the same time I’m excited to get out there and let the guys sort of express themselves, because they’ve been waiting a long time for it.”
Saturday will also mark the first time the Aztecs haven’t suited up an All American in some time, too. Duncan Kelm is graduated, leaving the Aztecs with an identity to claim.
Jaime Kelm will captain the side, which Hawkins says has a litany of players who could rise to the occasion and help fill Duncan’s shoes.
“There’s a lot of guys that can step up. We’ve got a wide range throughout our 15 guys, or 22 guys really, that are all sorts of backgrounds and experience levels, and to be honest, that’s the biggest thing that I’m looking for. I’m just looking to see who’s going to step up. Right now, it’s a blank slate, and I’m waiting to see.”
Elsewhere, Irvine is the favorite to beat USC. The Anteaters have had a promising preseason, beating Fresno State and Riverside, as well as finishing second in the Long Beach tournament, in which they beat Loyola Marymount, UC San Diego USC and Cal Poly.
“I think we’re ready to play,” said Anteater captain Gavin Creps. “We’re prepared. We’ve put in a lot of work practicing. We’ve put in the hours, and we’re ready to, hopefully, earn a win.”
Helping stabilize Irvine this year is new head coach Vince McLeod.
“I’d say he’s just been a solid head coach,” said Creps of McLeod. “I think the biggest thing is he’s been very good at organizing, having practice schedules for all of us and running a big program. That’s something we’ve never had before, someone with his organization skills and the ability to run a program like he does.”
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Written by Kelsey Price
Friday, 20 January 2012 14:57 |
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Cal Poly Takes on Utah |
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Colleges -
College DI-A
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Preseason DI-A non-conference action continues this weekend as the University of Utah and Cal Poly meet in Mesquite, Nev. The Mustangs head into Saturday’s game with back-to-back wins over local men’s club San Luis Obispo (79-7) and rival UC-Santa Barbara (31-17) last weekend. Meanwhile, the Utes are coming off a bye weekend and a 51-0 shutout over UCSB on January 7.
Both teams earned big wins over UCSB this month, so Saturday’s match will lend some early-season insight into the teams’ relative strength. These pre-season games are integral to building stamina for the long season ahead, which will culminate in conference matches against DI-A finalists California and BYU.
“It’s early in the season so any improvements we see in any phase of the game will be a plus,” said Utah assistant head coach Rob Kingsford.
Cal Poly has a knack for getting out early and staying there, as seen in the team’s 79-7 rout over SLO. The Mustangs have an able, mobile back row, which provide much of Cal Poly’s go-forward ball. Captain and No. 8 Dave Schaefer as well as freshman flanker Matt Ryan have devastated defenses early in the season.
Saturday’s game will likely be determined by Utah’s ability to hold Cal Poly, a team known for their immediate energy, on defense early in the game. The Mustangs have already proven their quickness to respond on the field this season, running away with a 79-7 preseason opener over club team San Luis Obispo.
The Utes’ primary focus is to contain and respond to Cal Poly’s first-half attack, although it’ll be a difficult task for a squad that has struggled to find consistency on defense in the early minutes. They’ve lost key leaders like All American Camden Burd to graduation last year, and are still looking to prove themselves.
“Cal Poly has always had a solid program and if we don’t match their physically early, we could be in for a long afternoon,” said senior lock Scott Metcalf.
The Utes will look to seniors Danny James and Scott Metcalf to launch the physical assault, while loose forwards Alex Muehle, who had three tries over UCSB, and 2010 All American Mike Shepherd, back from injury, will take on the Cal Poly forwards.
Saturday’s game will the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2009 in San Diego. Utah won that contest 26-12.
The action gets started at 12:30 p.m. MST. Stay tuned for match details and player/coach feedback.
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Written by Pat Clifton
Friday, 20 January 2012 15:17 |
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South Independent League Play Begins |
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Colleges -
Men's DI College
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 The first-ever South Independent Rugby Conference league game takes place Saturday, when Florida State travels to Florida International. The Seminoles then play the second-ever game on Sunday against Florida Atlantic.
FIU and Florida State met in the fall Florida Cup competition, with the Seminoles winning 47-29. However, the Panthers held a 29-27 halftime advantage.
“We were making mistakes, and FIU was good at capitalizing on that. They’re obviously a really athletic team,” said FSU coach Kirk Swanner. “They’re OK at scoring points, they scored 29, but we pulled away in the second half.”
Florida State did not reach the Florida Cup semifinals, because of a loss to SIRC foe Central Florida.
“We definitely did not end our Florida Cup campaign the way we’d like to, but that’s something you learn form, and luckily we get to play UCF two more times here in the spring,” Swanner said.
Florida State had a promising season cut short by controversy last spring. A self-reported eligibility infraction resulted in forfeits and knocked the ‘Noles out of postseason contention. The team responded with a couple of late season losses to end a disappointing spring.
But, confidence is high heading into a new year and a new competition.
“I’m sure every team is confident. I don’t want to say we’re going to go in there and win the whole thing. We’re just trying to focus on ourselves, one game at a time. I’m really trying to focus the guys inward, so they focus on their own play and they’re reaching their own potential,” said Swanner.
“When we play to our own potential, we’re pretty good…We’ve played really good against good competition, so when we want to play good we can. That’s what we’re trying to strive for.”
The Seminoles will be traveling with depth, allowing Swanner the luxury of potentially changing his lineup from Saturday to Sunday.
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Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release
Friday, 20 January 2012 14:39 |
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Tournament for a Cause Seeking Sponsors |
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Tournaments -
Tournaments
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The Derek Thomas Invitational, held Feb. 11 & 12 at Cathedral High School in San Diego, Calif., is seeking sponsors.
This tournament offers the community a chance to come out and support the Thomas family as they continue their journey down the long road to rehabilitation and coping with the financial & emotional strains from devastating burn injuries Derek suffered over a year ago.
Derek was traveling home from Mammoth, CA along with four other passengers; his girlfriend, two other fellow athletes and their coach. Their SUV lost control, flipped onto its side, and was struck by an oncoming van. Derek was pulled out with burns over 85% of his body and was given a 1% chance of survival. After one year in the hospital and 43 surgeries, he has returned home.
For more information on the tournament, contact Ramon Samaniego at 760.500.1060 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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