GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After closing out their regular season last weekend with a win at Wheeling Jesuit, head coach Kruger VanBiljon will have one more test as they head to State University, Ark., to play in to sevens contests, against Arkansas State and Lindenwood. The last time DU was in sevens play they finished second at the Notre Dame 7s Invitational losing in the final to Lindenwood. The sevens competition at Arkansas State will take place on Saturday, November 9 in State University, Ark.
 
DU will focus on sevens this week after coming off a win in their final 15s game of the season over Wheeling Jesuit, 22-7. DU will play against Lindenwood and host, Arkansas State. Lindenwood and DU faced each other at the Notre Dame 7s Invitational last month. Lindenwood topped Davenport in the opening match 14-12 and once again in the finals of the invitational 34-24. DU was able to defeat Lindenwood's B squad in the semis 17-5. Lindenwood is ranked No. 9 in the Rugby Magazine 7s rankings.
 
The Panthers will also take on the host team in Arkansas State, who is currently sitting at No. 1 in the Rugby Magazine Rankings. DU has not faced Arkansas State in sevens or 15s play yet this season, but the teams will face-off in the spring for Mid-South Conference play, along with Lindenwood and Life. In sevens competition, Arkansas State won the South Independent Title to clinch a birth to national championship in Greensboro, N.C., where they will look to defend their national championship they won last fall.
 
DU has not been focusing on sevens this season as much as they did last year. The two matches in Arkansas will be the last sevens matches they play unless Kruger VanBiljon and the Panthers get an at-large bid to national championship in Greensboro. DU is ranked at no. 16 in the Rugby Magazine polls after they finished second at the Notre Dame 7s Invitational.
 
The sevens matches will take place in State University, Ark. on Saturday, November 9.  
 
 
Rugby Magazine 7s Rankings
Preseason……..11th
Week 1…………16th
Week 2…………15th
Week 3…………16th
   
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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