Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. --- On a cold and rainy day on Lupo Family Field the Life University men's rugby team did not miss a beat, running away for an 82-0 victory over six-seed Texas A&M to start the USA Rugby D1A Playoffs Saturday.

Despite the unfavorable conditions that could have evened the playing field, the Running Eagles saw themselves step deeper into post season play. Following a penalty by Texas A&M in the short meters, Life U blew the Aggies off the line on the scrum, Matt Carrion rumbling forward to dot down the first try of the game. Bradley Crane converted on a hard angle to kick from to see Life U on top 7-0 just 10 minutes in. Texas A&M threatened to score on the ensuing possession after a knock on the kick, but Darius Law turned the Aggies over to end the threat inside the five meter. Just a couple minutes later Ishma-eel Safodien made a smart play picking up the ball and racing down the far side for a long try to push the lead to 14-0. After a line out, Adam Chadwick took the ball and powered his way in from the five-meter to dot down a try in the middle of the field as the lead expanded to 21-0 late in the first half. In the 38th minute, Life U turned over the Aggies deep on their side of the field, a quick tap by Hoffman ended up in Chadwick's hands as the Running Eagles caught A&M sleeping to see the lead quickly balloon to 28-0. Right before the half, Life U took advantage of A&M mishandling a downfield kick, Crane collecting the ball and diving down for a try between the posts. After the Crane score and conversion, the teams went to the break with Life U up 35-0.

Coming out of the half Life U picked up where they left off, Jackson Cain getting in on the scoring action just two minutes into the period to push the advantage to 42-0. The Running Eagles continued laying it on despite the weather, Seth Kramlich dotting down a try of his own in the 49th minute to see the lead at 49-0. After a Texas A&M penalty near their five meter in the 58th minute, an exit to Jeron Pantor saw the savvy senior make a quick move up field to tap down another try. Just a couple minutes later, the Running Eagles continued their onslaught as the lead moved to 61-0, Matthew Reed snagging the ball inside the try area and spinning down to tap down the score. Life U earned their 10th try of the game with just over 10 minutes to play to extend the edge to 68-0. Quick, flat passing saw the ball find Karch Hoffman for an easy try on the near side. The scoring continued just a few minutes later, Gabriel Michnya collecting a quick pass on the far side to tap down his first try of the day. The Running Eagles capped off the game with a point per minute of play pace, scoring right at the 80th minute to give the final score of 82-0.

Life U's postseason play continues next week as the Running Eagles travel to two-seed Lindenwood for a quarterfinals bout.