GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport men's rugby team will be back in 15s action this weekend. They have a busy week as they will head down to South Bend, Ind. to play Notre Dame on Friday and then head up north to London, Ontario to play Western Ontario on Saturday. The busy week ahead for head coach Kruger VanBiljon and his team will test them physically and how deep the team is this season.
 
Date: Friday, October 18, 2013
Opponent: at University of Notre Dame
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: South Bend, Ind., University of Notre Dame (Stinson Rugby Field)
 
Scouting Notre Dame
 
Notre Dame comes in also returning to 15s play after they hosted a 7s invitational, that Davenport competed in. The Fighting Irish will be looking for their second win on the season heading into the matchup. They defeated in-state rival Indiana by a slim score of 13-12. Notre Dame's two loses come at the hands of Michigan and Oklahoma. Davenport and Notre Dame met twice last season.
 
The Panthers were able to walk away with the win both times. In the first match the Panthers were able to win by the score of 58-17 on the DU Turf Field. They would meet up again in South Bend and the game would be closer, but DU would still manage to take a 24-18 victory back home.
 
Date: Saturday, October, 19, 2013
Opponent: at University of Western Ontario
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: London, Ontario, University of Western Ontario (Alumni Field)
 
Scouting Western Ontario
 
The Mustangs of Western Ontario play in the Ontario University Athletics. They currently sit in a three way tie atop the league at 7-1. Their only loss came from co-leader Queen's. Leading the way for the Mustangs is Mike Turnbull who leads the team in points with 35. Right behind Turnbull is Ade Ojo who has 32 points on the season, and Justin Chan with 30 points.
 
Like the Panthers, the Mustangs will be playing a match the day before, so they will also be tested with their depth. The Mustangs are coached by Steve Thomas who is in his third year as head coach. This is the first ever meeting between the Panthers and Mustangs.
 
The Panthers will look to get back on track in 15s play as they lost to Kutztown University 45-15 in their last 15s competition. Jean Pierre Eloff leads the Panthers with 19 points through their first two 15s matches. Behind Eloff is Michael Houston who has chipped in two tries for ten points.
 
D1A Rugby Rankings
Week 1…………4th
Week 2…………4th
Week 3…………4th
Week 4…………6th
Week 5…………6th   
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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