Life U Rains Down Tries in 82-0 Victory to Open USA Rugby D1A Playoffs
Men's Rugby / 04.08.23
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 laterÂ
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 UÂ 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 UÂ 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.