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2005 Ohio State Rugby

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Fall Season Right Around the Corner



Fellow BPers;

The OSU rugby team begins it's defense of the Midwest title this Fall in just a few weeks. While conditioning has been going on all summer, official practice for upperclassmen begins next week. I am going to go ahead and post our initial schedule below. We expect to win the Midwest again this year and look to be ranked somewhere in the top 7-8 in the country. This should be a promising season with 13 of 15 starters back. We play a lot of our games before or after OSU football games so please come out this Fall and cheer on OSU's most lovable team.

http://www.osurugby.com

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=524 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>
title_schedule.gif



</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=4>Fall 2005
Home games are played at Fred Beekman Park.

</TD><TD width=140><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><CSOBJ t="URLPopup" w="112" h="21" data='{ 0 = { label = "Select a Season"; selected = "YES"; }; 1 = { label = "Fall 2002"; url = "schedule_fa02.htm"; }; 2 = { label = "Spring 2002"; url = "schedule_sp02.htm"; }; 3 = { label = "Fall 2001"; url = "schedule_fa01.htm"; }; }' target="_top"><FORM name=cs_form_name_0 methode="POST"></FORM></CSOBJ></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>Date</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD width=80>Result</TD><TD width=80>Team</TD><TD width=140>Venue</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/6</TD><TD colSpan=3>Practice Starts (the dedicated show up)</TD><TD width=140>King Ave Fields (T-W-Th 6:00pm)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/10</TD><TD>Chicago Lions</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>11:00 Beekman Park</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/17</TD><TD>@ Penn State</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>State College, Pa </TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/17</TD><TD>@ Penn State</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>6:00 pm </TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/21</TD><TD colSpan=3>School Starts (everyone else shows up)</TD><TD width=140>OSU</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/24</TD><TD>Bowling Green </TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>5:00pm -Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/24</TD><TD>Bowling Green</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>6:00pm -Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/24</TD><TD>Bowling Green</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>7:30pm -Beeckman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/24</TD><TD>Ohio Wesleyan</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>Delaware (12:00)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>9/28</TD><TD>(Wed) Ashland Univ</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>7:00pm -Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/1</TD><TD>@ Wisconsin (Midwest match)</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Madison, Wi (1:00pm)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/1</TD><TD>@ Wisconsin</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>Madison, Wi</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/1</TD><TD>John Carroll</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>2:00pm - Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/2</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Wisconsin</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/8</TD><TD>Illinois State (Midwest match)</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park (1:00pm)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/8</TD><TD>Illinois State</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/8</TD><TD>@ Cleveland State</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>Cleveland, Oh</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/15</TD><TD>Kenyon </TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>4:00pm - Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/15</TD><TD>Virginia Tech</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>5:30pm - Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/15</TD><TD>Virginia Tech</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>7:00pm - Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/21</TD><TD>OSU - Marion</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park (7:00pm)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/22</TD><TD>@ Denison </TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>1:00 Granville, Oh</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/22</TD><TD>Univ. North Carolina</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>7:00pm - Beekman</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/22</TD><TD>Univ. North Carolina</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/29</TD><TD>Midwest Playoffs (1st round)</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park (TBA)</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/29</TD><TD>TBA (Midwest opponent)</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>10/29</TD><TD>Ohio Northern</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>C</TD><TD width=140>Beekman Park</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>11/5</TD><TD>Midwest Finals</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Columbus, Oh</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>11/5</TD><TD>TBA (B/C side)</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>B</TD><TD width=140>Columbus, Oh</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>11/6</TD><TD>Midwest Finals</TD><TD width=80></TD><TD width=80>A</TD><TD width=140>Columbus, Oh</TD></TR><TR><TD width=50>12/31</TD><TD colSpan=3>Univ. North Carolina (A & B - Jan.28, 2006)</TD><TD width=140>SOUTH</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
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Last year was a great year and one senses that this year will be even better.

Ain't no nothing about who's lovable! We'll all be supporting you and hoping that you get to the finals this year and route those Western snobs!

I'm not sure who are the rugby powers in US college. Do you feel that this schedule will challenge and stretch the team so that you are able to reach a higher level this year?
 
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Certainly opening with a scrimmage against the Lions will be a heck of a wake-up call. And our second opponent, Penn Statem, finished last year ranked 7th. So those first two matches are going to force us to get up to speed rather quickly. Win or lose, though, those games should prepare us well for the Midwest pool games against Wisconsin and Illinois State...two games we should win fairly easily. Because we brought the Midwest title back to Columbus, we will be hosting the Midwest tourney, which is always a huge advantage. Virginia Tech was a top 25 team before falling apart down the stretch. And UNC should be a decent opponent. So to answer your question, while we will have the luxury of playing most of our games within the friendly confines of Beekman Park, I think our schedule is difficult enough to prepare us for the type of competition we aspire to go up against in the national tournament in the Spring. A good winter trip should also provide some decent competition.
 
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Thanks to all for the well wishes ("all" curently being 21, Mili, Steve19, and RugbyBuck) -

Practice started last night and there is definitely some excitement surrounding this upcoming season. Working out some of the kinks in our new offense against the Lions will be a huge advantage. Then it is over to Happy Valley for a match against the Nittany Lions before coming home for game against in-state rival BGSU. Then the league play starts.

The veterans look good, the freshman look scared. Just the way we like it.

Cheers,

wadc45
 
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vs.

Ohio State vs. Chicago Lions
Beekman Park 12:00 PM 9/10/05

The 2005 season begins tomorrow with a scrimmage against the Chicago Lions of the Super Rugby League.
 
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All things considered, not terrible. We did not come out with a lot of intensity and fitness is a bit of an issue (as it always is this time of year). But for four periods at 20 minutes a piece we managed to keep it respectable at 35-7. Granted they were probably a little more interested in the Texas game as opposed to our scrimmage, but my feeling is that our effort was not bad considering we were playing without our starting 8-9-10. This week is going to be a fitness-intensive week of practice. Lots of defense and lots of hitting as well. We plan to make a statement in Happy Valley next weekend.
 
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vs.

Ohio State vs. Penn State
State College, PA 6:00 PM 9/17/05

Penn State is coming off a tough OT loss to Queen's University and a solid win over Dartmouth at the Dartmouth Invitational the weekend before last. I have copied and pasted their team preview below.

Ruggers return 11 starters

By Ryan Colwell
and Mara Wallace
<!-- ENDBYLINE --><!-- STARTCOLLEGIANWRITER -->Collegian Staff Writer
<!-- ENDCOLLEGIANWRITER --><!-- STARTSTORY -->
Maybe it is the size of the dog in the fight and not the size of the fight in the dog.

Just ask Penn State men's rugby coach Don Ferrell.

"In last year's national tournament, we were the most skilled team, but we were not the biggest," Ferrell said.

The Ruggers earned a No. 3 seed in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) national tournament. Despite playing what Ferrell considered the best game of the entire tournament, the Ruggers came up short against Brigham Young and finished the season with an 8-2 record.

"After the loss to BYU we all realized our potential and expect to pick up the pieces and fit them together to make another run at the national championship," team captain Tim Ryland said.

The pieces of this year's puzzle will be found in the Ruggers' 11 returning starters, 20 freshmen, several players returning from injuries, and new assistant coach Joe Pullara, a former All-American.

All of these components, as well as an added degree of toughness, will contribute to the success of the upcoming season.

"Rugby is a physical game, and Coach Ferrell made sure that we were going to be a physically challenging team this season," Ryland said.

Ferrell tested his team's strength by putting the Ruggers through a week-long training camp that consisted of two-a-day practices.

Just how tough the team really is will be determined tomorrow when the squad travels to New Hampshire for the Dartmouth Invitational.

Penn State squares off against Queens College in its first match of the tournament tomorrow, with the B-side starting off at 8:30 a.m. and the A-side playing at 3 p.m. The winning team will face either Dartmouth or McGill University in the feature match on Sunday. McGill, a Canadian squad, has only lost one game in the last three years.

Center Nic Grala is confident that the preseason training will really pay off if the Lions are to match up against the tough McGill team in the championship.

"We just came off a great training camp and are continuing to improve from there," he said.

"It's important that we have the fitness and depth to play more than one competitive team in one weekend, and this will definitely add to our success in the tournament."

Coach Ferrell is not only looking forward to a good game from his A-side team but also from his B-side.

He says he expects a lot from "The Killer B's" and that the more experienced members of the side are solid leaders.

The team's newest players may even make it possible for the Ruggers to bring a C-side team to the tournament.

The home opener is against West Chester on Sept. 9, which precedes a match against rival Ohio State the following weekend.

"It's always going to be an interesting match against Ohio State," team member Jonathan Swart said. "They are a really good team and have become great competitors."

The Ruggers conclude their season with an equally challenging rivalry game against Navy on Nov. 5.

Provided the size of the fight in the Ruggers carry-overs from last season, Ferrell is confident his team will exceed last year's success.

"Mixing our speed and skill from last year with size and aggressiveness will ensure another trip to the national tournament," Ferrell said.

For those interested in possibly joining the team, the Ruggers have an open invitation for all to come to their practices, which are held at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Click to expand...
 
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Change of plans for this weekend...


vs.

Ohio State vs. Penn State
State College, PA 12:00 PM 9/18/05

Because of PSU's home football game, our game is being moved to Sunday.

Penn State thoroughly dismantled a overmatched West Chester University last weekend...tonight practice will be all about Penn State.

Nittany Lions win big, still unsatisfied

<!-- ENDHEADLINE --><!-- STARTDROPDECK -->Penalties, decision-making bother Penn State, but PSU still manages to win its season opener

<!-- ENDDROPDECK --><!-- STARTBYLINE -->
By Mara Wallace
<!-- ENDBYLINE --><!-- STARTCOLLEGIANWRITER -->Collegian Staff Writer

<!-- ENDCOLLEGIANWRITER --><!-- STARTSTORY -->Most teams would be perfectly content after walking away from their home opener with a 48-7 win.

The Penn State men's rugby team, however, is not one of them.

In the Ruggers' match against West Chester Saturday, assistant coach Terry Ryland said the score did not accurately portray the team's performance.

"We did what we had to do to win but definitely did not play up to our potential," he said.

After showing much stronger performances in their preseason matches at the Dartmouth Invitational just a week ago, the Ruggers lacked teamwork this weekend, and their passing suffered from it.

"We slowed down mentally and did not make good individual decisions," Ryland said.

The pace of the game was also slowed down as a result of the referee's style and because of the numerous penalties committed by both teams throughout the match.

"We had way too many penalties mostly because we didn't recognize what the ref was calling," center Nic Grala said.

"We were called offsides on several close occasions."

Penn State got off to an early 5-0 lead when prop Chris Mericle scored off of a lineout with 25 minutes left in the first half.

The Ruggers scored again after Grala broke through the middle line coming out of a scrum, and Lauder contributed to the lead by converting the kick.

Winger Mike Sell also scored a try with three minutes left in the half, and the Ruggers went into halftime with a 24-0 lead.

Penn State showed more aggression coming out for the second half and scored two more tries and a penalty. Despite the Nittany Lions scoring flurry, though, West Chester immediately responded by scoring a try and kick of its own.

The Ruggers' numerous runs had already done their damage, however, and these would be West Chester's only points throughout the course of the match.
From there, it was all icing on the cake for Penn State.

With six minutes left in the match, the Ruggers continued to control the field when Grala scored again following a break and Lauder made the kick to arrive at the final score, 48-7.

The B-side also won by a score of 7-5.

"Usually it is hard to stay strong through the whole game, but the whole team was having a good time, so we just kept up the intensity until the end," Grala said.

Before the team faces rival Ohio State in its next match on Saturday, captain Tim Ryland said there are several things that still need improvement.

"We definitely need to work on our body positions in tackles and rucks, and we need to work on being low," Ryland said.

"Our continuity and flow wasn't as good as it should have been against West Chester, so we also need to work on not trying to do so much individually, We definitely could have played better, but we just kept putting up the points and that's what got us the win."
Click to expand...
 
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Well, last weekend was a learning experience for sure. In my tenure as an assistant coach we have never been blown out and never been shutout. Both of those things happened against an extremely solid Penn State team. That is a PSU team that is going to make some noise this year, especially once they get their dynamic flyhalf back (who happens to be from Columbus). Is the score necessarily a reflection of a match between to evenly matched teams? No...we were playing without 5 starters for various reasons, including our 8, 9, and 10. Our entire offense runs through those guys so it is not surprising that we struggled offensively. But another glaring fact was that this was our first game against solid competition, while this was Penn State's 5th game of the season. That became obvious early in the game. PSU was much more fit and much more precise. Am I extremely disappointed with our effort at Happy Valley? Yes. Am I concerned about the rest of the season? Not at all. Final score: Penn State 32 Ohio State 0.

This weekend...

vs.

#9 Ohio State vs. #13 Bowling Green
Beekman Park 9/24/05
B Side at 5:00 PM
A Side at 7:00 PM
 
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osugrad21 said:
You'll get em right bro. Good luck against BGSU
Click to expand...

Thanks grad...I guess we are going to find out what we are made of both as coaches and as a team. We have rarely had to handle a loss in the Fall, little alone getting stomped on, so this is foreign territory. There are two ways we can respond. Considering we are a team that returned 13 of 15 starters and are supposed to contend for the Final 4 this season, I am hoping that we choose to go out and make a statement against BG.
 
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