GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The sixth-ranked Davenport men's rugby team returns home for their first home game since they hosted Michigan State to start their 2013-14 campaign in September, when they host third-ranked Arkansas State. The Panthers and Red Wolves played each other at the beginning of the month in Arkansas, where the Red Wolves snuck past the Panthers with a 15-10 win. Kickoff at the DU Turf Field is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
SCOUTING ARKANSAS STATE
 
Arkansas State has been idle since their last match against Davenport on March 8. The Red Wolves are 2-1 on the season with wins over Lindenwood and DU, and their only loss came from Life on March 1. Arkansas State sits in second place of the Mid-South Conference after the first rotation of games.
 
At the half way point of the D1A season, the Red Wolves placed multiple players on the Mid-Season All-D1A Rugby 1st Team. At the Lock position the Red Wolves placed Connor Cook and Harry Higgins on the team, and Eight-Man Shaun Potgieter Arkansas State also placed Scrumhalf Dylan Carrion on the Mid-Season 1st-Team All-D1A.
 
THE PANTHERS
 
Davenport moved up a spot in the most recent D1A Rugby rankings and head into this weekend ranked-sixth, and DU is looking for its first win in the Mid-South. Leading the way for the Panthers this season has been freshman Sondai Adjei with 39 points. Adjei was placed on the Mid-Season 1st-Team All-D1A. Joining Adjei on the team was All-American Hooker Gabe Sochanek, who leads DU in tries with six, and Angus MacLellan at Prop, who was also named Mid-Season Forward of the Year. Dominique Bailey, Mason Baum and Reece Czarnecki were named to the 2nd Team All-D1A, while Michael Houston was named to the Honorable Mention squad.
 
The Panthers last time out was in Marietta, Ga. against Life University. The Running Eagles jumped out to an early 10-0 and held on to pull away from the Panthers to win the game 30-15. DU is 5-5 in 15s play this season and 0-3 in the Mid-South.
 
The Panthers will host Arkansas State on the DU Turf Field at 1 p.m. on Saturday to start their three game home stand to finish out the regular season.
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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