Game Stats | Game Summary

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Panthers of Davenport took on the Golden Bears of Kutztown today in Pittsburgh. The Panthers lead the whole way but couldn't hold on in the season finale. Kutztown ended the game on a 12-3 run. Davenport ends the season with a 3-5 overall record in their first year as a Division 1-A program. Coach Kruger Van Biljon was encouraged, however, on the improvements the team had made throughout the year.

The game started with a try and conversion scored by JP Eloff, putting DU up 7-0 ten minutes into the first half.  Kutztown then answered back with a try of their own but missed on the conversion. The Panthers kept the pressure on as Knute O'Donnell scored a try with a conversion capped off by Eloff.

The Golden Bears ended the scoring for the half with a try and conversion to make the score 14-12 in favor of Davenport at halftime.

Davenport's, Angus MacLellan, struck first in the second half with a try. Eloff missed the conversion making the score 19-12, DU.

Kutztown ended the game on a 12-3 run to end the game. The final was 24-22, Kutztown. Davenport led the game the entire way until the last try scored by Kutztown.

The Panthers end their season with a 3-5 overall record, 0-4 record in the Mid-South Division.

Coach Quotes

Head Coach Kruger Van Biljon:

“We came out real good and dominated all parts of the game. We just couldn't punch in the tries and points when we played in Kutztowns half of the field. We had numerous opportunities to seal the game and put it out of reach for Kutztown but wrong choices in certain parts of the field cost the team the win today. Hard lesson to learn by the younger players but it will help them to grow and mold into better rugby players in the long run. Was not the way we want to say good bye to the seniors but you can't always have it your way in life.”
  
Post-Game Notes

The loss ends the season for the Panthers with a 3-5 overall record. This is the worst record in team history. It was obvious throughout the year that stepping up a Division takes some getting used to. Coach Van Biljon wasn't disappointed in his team, however. He said that the team has improved throughout the season and now they all know what it takes to perform at the highest level of college Rugby.