GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport men's rugby team will head back to Pennsylvania this weekend. They will face off against Penn State on Saturday at 1 p.m. DU comes into the match on two game win streak as they defeated Western Ontario and Notre Dame this past weekend. Head coach Kruger VanBiljon, will look to continue that success as they head into the game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions are ranked at number five in the D1A rugby ranking, just ahead of Davenport.
 
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2013
Opponent: at Penn State
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: University Park, Pa. (West Campus Pitch)
 
Scouting Penn State
 
Penn State comes into the match just off a win over Wheeling Jesuit. The Nittany Lions beat Wheeling Jesuit 24-17 to move to 2-1 on the season. Their only defeat came against Kutztown University. The score in the match between Kutztown and Penn State was 27-26. Penn State would score two tries in two minutes to draw within one, but they would not be able to draw any closer as Kutztown would squeak out the victory.
 
The Nittany Lions will be led by head coach Don Ferrell. On the field, Ferrell looks at one of the team captains, Dominic DeFalco. DeFalco would score one try in match against Kutztown. The try started the comeback for his team that just fell short. Handling the kicking duties for Penn State is freshman Max Klotz. Klotz plays the Fly-Half or Scrumhalf position.
 
The Panthers
 
Davenport had a huge weekend as the topped Notre Dame 64-0 on Friday, and they came back the next night to take down Western Ontario 36-7. Gabe Sochanek led the charge for the team as he would score four tries throughout the weekend. With the absence of Jean Pierre Eloff, who is currently playing in China with the Tigers rugby squad, freshman Sondai Adjei and sophomore Brady Gent have filled the void nicely.
 
Heading into the match at Penn State coach VanBiljon will look for big plays from his forwards. With the success Sochanek had over the weekend the forwards will be key to the Panthers success this weekend against the Nittany Lions.
 
D1A Rugby Rankings
Week 1…………4th
Week 2…………4th
Week 3…………4th
Week 4…………6th
Week 5…………6th
Week 6…………6th
   
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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