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Ohio State Men’s Rugby vs. Wisconsin Ends With No Bragging Rights
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Last year the Big Ten Universities Championship Rugby Game was played against The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin would be the victor and crowned the BTU Champions: WISC: 34 OSU 20.
That was last year.
The Buckeyes went into this past weekend’s match with a 4-0 record in Big Ten play. Wisconsin came in at 3-0. The Badgers were ranked nationally at 12th while The Ohio State University is ranked at 14th.
This was a huge game.
After last year’s defeat The Buckeyes had this date circled on their calendars and were mentally prepared. There is no escaping that the Badgers are good. The Buckeyes knew this. But – guess what? So are the Buckeyes. So it would play out simply as a clash of the Titans.
This game would pan out as good old fashioned Big 10 smash mouth rugby. Even Keith Jackson would beam proudly.
(Spoiler Alert): It would end in an 18-18 tie. No bragging rights could be extended. What this tie meant, ultimately, is it keeps both teams at bay in the standings as the race for the Big Ten Championship now contains 4 sides. The next two weeks will be spirited to say the least as big matches roll out of the schedule.
The week would begin for The Buckeyes with film breakdown of 3 very skilled players on the Badgers team; their outside center Matoko Noudehou, a big guy, 6’1” 230 lbs. who runs in the 4.6 range, is a firm believer in lowering his shoulders whenever the opportunity arises. He’d certainly provide a test for the Buckeyes backline which is built more for speed than power. Other concentrations would be on the Crass brothers – 8-man Hunter and flyhalf Tyler. Both are skilled and among the top points leaders in the league.
Now let’s get to the breakdown:
4 minutes in Wisconsin is penalized for not releasing after the Buckeyes applied tremendous defensive pressure. OSU Flyhalf Ian Hildebrandt quick taps. This will lead to wing JoJo Eramo dragging two Badgers defenders into the right corner before putting the ball inside the flag. The conversion attempt is no good. The Buckeyes would start the scoring first. OSU 5 WISC 0.
7 minutes – Fullback Ronan Forestal would retrieve a wayward pass and would dash around the outside – leaving the Wisconsin defense well behind him – before diving over the line in the right corner. The kick by Taylor Hurff is good. The Buckeyes jump the lead up. OSU 12 WISC 0.
The score would remain 12-0 when at 19 minutes – Santino Cua (Captain) clearly scored but the referee saw differently – saying he was held up at the goal – resulting in an OSU 5-meter scrum. OSU would not capitalize – missing out on a fantastic opportunity.
24 minutes – Wisconsin’s Hunter Crass would break to the sideline and score in the right corner. Their kick failed. OSU 12 WISC 5
The Buckeyes would score again @ 29 minutes on good defensive pressure and counter rucking that would create a Wisconsin penalty in front of the posts. Taylor Hurff’s kick is good. The Buckeyes now lead 15-5.
The 1st half would end with a Wisconsin score – kick no good. OSU’s lead is now 15-10.
The 2nd Half would begin quickly. 4 minutes – Wisconsin applies pressure which earns them a penalty. A quick tap goes to Hunter Crass who scores his second try of the afternoon. The conversion attempt is no good. The score is tied at 15-15.
OSU would go off-sides at 31 minutes. Quick taps would earn another penalty for the same infraction – this time directly in front of the posts. The kick by Noudehou is good. Wisconsin takes their first lead of the game: 18-15.
33 mins – OSU is finally back on the attack. A great set piece finds Forestal breaking free; runs by Eramo and Cua would bring on a Wisconsin penalty for diving over the ruck. Hurff would kick at the goal. It is good – tied at 18-18.
The Buckeyes would have opportunities late especially deep in Wisconsin territory that would be well-defended and a line-out where a turnover would happen. But the score would remain as it was in an 18-18 tie for the final.
The Buckeyes played valiantly and should be proud. Wisconsin is defending champions of the BTU and is a well noticed team nationally. Our Buckeyes hold the keys to their own destiny. This coming weekend is a bye-week before heading to battle TTUN in Ann Arbor on Nov. 7th. Indiana is currently at the top of the Big Ten standings, followed by OSU. Wisconsin rounds off at third. Come the 7th if the Buckeyes win and score at least 4 tries they are guaranteed a spot the following weekend in the Big 10 Championship game – most likely against the league leading Indiana. Wisconsin meets up with *ichigan State on Oct. 31st before dealing with Indiana on the 7th. A lot is involved. Many scenarios are available. But again it all boils down to that this team – a great one – holds its future in the palm of their hands.
Believe Buckeye Nation. A Big 10 Title in Rugby is coming to Columbus.
Trys:
JoJo Eramo – 1 (Big 10 Leader w/12)
Ronan Forestal – 1
Penalty Kicks:
Taylor Hurff – 2/3
Conversions:
Taylor Hurff – 1/2 (2nd in Big 10 w/31)
Starters:
1 Prop Kyle O’Donnell
2 Hooker Luke Fay
3 Prop Nick Mihalitsas
4 Lock Jake Berlin
5 Lock Jack Bengel
6 Flanker Cory Harmon
7 Flanker Matt Stauder
8 Eight Man Santino Cua (Captain)
9 Scrumhalf Taylor Hurff
10 Flyhalf Ian Hildebrandt
11 Wing JoJo Eramo
12 Inside Center Ryan Skelly
13 Outside Center Mike Matthews
14 Wing Jack Walsh
15 Fullback Ronan Forestal
Subs:
16 Prop Nate Allen
17 Prop Kevin Fessemeyer
18 Lock Nate Grosse
(Photos used is this article were provided courtesy of Gregory Hildebrandt.)
The post Ohio State Men’s Rugby vs. Wisconsin Ends With No Bragging Rights appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Last year the Big Ten Universities Championship Rugby Game was played against The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin would be the victor and crowned the BTU Champions: WISC: 34 OSU 20.
That was last year.
The Buckeyes went into this past weekend’s match with a 4-0 record in Big Ten play. Wisconsin came in at 3-0. The Badgers were ranked nationally at 12th while The Ohio State University is ranked at 14th.
This was a huge game.
After last year’s defeat The Buckeyes had this date circled on their calendars and were mentally prepared. There is no escaping that the Badgers are good. The Buckeyes knew this. But – guess what? So are the Buckeyes. So it would play out simply as a clash of the Titans.
This game would pan out as good old fashioned Big 10 smash mouth rugby. Even Keith Jackson would beam proudly.
(Spoiler Alert): It would end in an 18-18 tie. No bragging rights could be extended. What this tie meant, ultimately, is it keeps both teams at bay in the standings as the race for the Big Ten Championship now contains 4 sides. The next two weeks will be spirited to say the least as big matches roll out of the schedule.
The week would begin for The Buckeyes with film breakdown of 3 very skilled players on the Badgers team; their outside center Matoko Noudehou, a big guy, 6’1” 230 lbs. who runs in the 4.6 range, is a firm believer in lowering his shoulders whenever the opportunity arises. He’d certainly provide a test for the Buckeyes backline which is built more for speed than power. Other concentrations would be on the Crass brothers – 8-man Hunter and flyhalf Tyler. Both are skilled and among the top points leaders in the league.
Now let’s get to the breakdown:
4 minutes in Wisconsin is penalized for not releasing after the Buckeyes applied tremendous defensive pressure. OSU Flyhalf Ian Hildebrandt quick taps. This will lead to wing JoJo Eramo dragging two Badgers defenders into the right corner before putting the ball inside the flag. The conversion attempt is no good. The Buckeyes would start the scoring first. OSU 5 WISC 0.
7 minutes – Fullback Ronan Forestal would retrieve a wayward pass and would dash around the outside – leaving the Wisconsin defense well behind him – before diving over the line in the right corner. The kick by Taylor Hurff is good. The Buckeyes jump the lead up. OSU 12 WISC 0.
The score would remain 12-0 when at 19 minutes – Santino Cua (Captain) clearly scored but the referee saw differently – saying he was held up at the goal – resulting in an OSU 5-meter scrum. OSU would not capitalize – missing out on a fantastic opportunity.
24 minutes – Wisconsin’s Hunter Crass would break to the sideline and score in the right corner. Their kick failed. OSU 12 WISC 5
The Buckeyes would score again @ 29 minutes on good defensive pressure and counter rucking that would create a Wisconsin penalty in front of the posts. Taylor Hurff’s kick is good. The Buckeyes now lead 15-5.
The 1st half would end with a Wisconsin score – kick no good. OSU’s lead is now 15-10.
The 2nd Half would begin quickly. 4 minutes – Wisconsin applies pressure which earns them a penalty. A quick tap goes to Hunter Crass who scores his second try of the afternoon. The conversion attempt is no good. The score is tied at 15-15.
OSU would go off-sides at 31 minutes. Quick taps would earn another penalty for the same infraction – this time directly in front of the posts. The kick by Noudehou is good. Wisconsin takes their first lead of the game: 18-15.
33 mins – OSU is finally back on the attack. A great set piece finds Forestal breaking free; runs by Eramo and Cua would bring on a Wisconsin penalty for diving over the ruck. Hurff would kick at the goal. It is good – tied at 18-18.
The Buckeyes would have opportunities late especially deep in Wisconsin territory that would be well-defended and a line-out where a turnover would happen. But the score would remain as it was in an 18-18 tie for the final.
The Buckeyes played valiantly and should be proud. Wisconsin is defending champions of the BTU and is a well noticed team nationally. Our Buckeyes hold the keys to their own destiny. This coming weekend is a bye-week before heading to battle TTUN in Ann Arbor on Nov. 7th. Indiana is currently at the top of the Big Ten standings, followed by OSU. Wisconsin rounds off at third. Come the 7th if the Buckeyes win and score at least 4 tries they are guaranteed a spot the following weekend in the Big 10 Championship game – most likely against the league leading Indiana. Wisconsin meets up with *ichigan State on Oct. 31st before dealing with Indiana on the 7th. A lot is involved. Many scenarios are available. But again it all boils down to that this team – a great one – holds its future in the palm of their hands.
Believe Buckeye Nation. A Big 10 Title in Rugby is coming to Columbus.
Trys:
JoJo Eramo – 1 (Big 10 Leader w/12)
Ronan Forestal – 1
Penalty Kicks:
Taylor Hurff – 2/3
Conversions:
Taylor Hurff – 1/2 (2nd in Big 10 w/31)
Starters:
1 Prop Kyle O’Donnell
2 Hooker Luke Fay
3 Prop Nick Mihalitsas
4 Lock Jake Berlin
5 Lock Jack Bengel
6 Flanker Cory Harmon
7 Flanker Matt Stauder
8 Eight Man Santino Cua (Captain)
9 Scrumhalf Taylor Hurff
10 Flyhalf Ian Hildebrandt
11 Wing JoJo Eramo
12 Inside Center Ryan Skelly
13 Outside Center Mike Matthews
14 Wing Jack Walsh
15 Fullback Ronan Forestal
Subs:
16 Prop Nate Allen
17 Prop Kevin Fessemeyer
18 Lock Nate Grosse
(Photos used is this article were provided courtesy of Gregory Hildebrandt.)
The post Ohio State Men’s Rugby vs. Wisconsin Ends With No Bragging Rights appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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