GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Playoff time is upon us as the no. 3 men's rugby team earned home field advantage in the first round of the D1A playoffs, and will host familiar foe Wheeling Jesuit this Saturday on the DU Turf Field. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m., and the contest can be streamed live on The DAN with Gene Halbert and Tim Nowak on the call.
 
Vs. Wheeling Jesuit (D1A Opening Round)
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: DU Turf Field
Coverage: Video/Audio (Gene Halbert & Tim Nowak on the call)
 
The Panthers
In his first year under the helm, head coach James Wood has led his Panthers to a 9-6 overall record, and are coming off an incredible 26-7 victory over no. 4 Lindenwood.
 
Jean Pierre Eloff leads all Panther scorers with 97 total points on 19 penalty kicks, 15 conversions and five tries. In the Panthers' last four Mid-South contests, Eloff has accounted for 50 of the team's 80 points scored. Senior Gabe Sochanek leads Davenport in tries with six.
 
The Matchup
This will be the second time the Panthers and Cardinals square off against each other this season, as the last contest between the two saw the Panthers controlling the entire game and coming away with a 39-10 victory. Eloff tallied 14 points and Sochanek recorded two tries in the victory.
 
This will be the first time Wheeling-Jesuit has ever competed in the D1A playoffs, and will do so against a Panther squad that will be without All-American prop Angus MacLellan, who was selected for the USA Men's Eagles team that will be competing in South America next week.
 
The winner of Saturday's contest will meet Army in the second round of action on April 25th.
 
Men's Rugby Contact: Paul Anderson | 616-889-4062 | panderson30@email.davenport.edu
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