Game Summary | Game Stats

OXFORD, Ohio - Joe Marino scored in the final minute today as the Panthers posted an impressive come from behind 30-27 win over rival Miami (OH) in Oxford.  The win lifts DU to 2-1 on the year as they will host Michigan State next Saturday at 3:00 PM.

Miami (OH) was last seen on Davenport's schedule back in the spring when they outcome of the game was in favor of the RedHawks as they prevented the Panthers direct move to D-1 in rugby.  After a summer that saw Davenport still get into the highest level, the two teams met again back in Ohio.

Jean Pierre Eloff (Pritoria, South Africa) got the scoring started in the fifth minute as his try gave the Panthers a 5-0 lead with the failed conversion.  After Miami scored to take a 7-5 lead, Davenport came right back with their second score of the game from Fray Hatfield (Mishawaka, Ind.) and went on top 10-7.

The RedHawks then scored 10 unanswered just before the half to take a 17-10 lead into the locker room.  Coming out hot was a key focus for head coach Kruger van Biljon but it was the home team who scored again to make it 24-10 in favor of Miami.

DU did not back down though and got two straight scores from Daniel Norris (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Lance Cavanaugh (Toledo, Ohio) to take a 25-24 lead midway through the second half of play. Miami again re-took the lead 27-25 on a penatly goal but it was the heroics of Joe Marino (Detroit, Mich.) in the final minute that lifted the Panthers to the come-from-behind victory.

Davenport is now 2-1 on the year and will host Michigan State on Saturday, October 2 at 3:00 PM.  The game will also be broadcast live on the Davenport Athletics Network (DAN) beginning with the pre-game show at 2:45.