ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men's rugby team (9-1, 6-1 in the NIRA) concludes the fall season on its home pitch when it welcomes BYU (5-0) on Saturday. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. at the Prusmack Rugby Center.
Fans can stream the match on Navy Athletics YouTube page with the links provided on navysports.com.
"It's been 10 years since we've played BYU so we are very excited to welcome BYU to Annapolis this Saturday," remarked director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "We know this will be on the most physical and toughest games we will play all season but it is a great way for us to test ourselves and close out our fall season."
Last Time Out: at Queens
Navy capped off its Rugby East Conference slate with a 49-19 road victory over Queens last Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.
In a match that featured the Rugby East North and South Divisional champions, Navy scored seven tries in the match from seven different athletes. It was also the Royals first home loss of the season; a place where they averaged 38.7 points per match as the Midshipmen held them to 19.
Navy opened the match with tries from Ryan Hotaling, Max Smith and Avion Ganse in the 5th, 15th and 30th minutes to go into halftime with a 21-5 lead.
Michael Strehle found a hole in the Royals defense for his second try of the season to extend the lead, 28-5, to open the second half in the 45th minute.
Queens continued to fight with a back-to-back tries in the 49th and 59th minutes to narrow the gap, 28-19.
The Mids finished the match with three tries in a span of 17 minutes. Senior team captain JD Bengston got in on the scoring action in the 61st minute for his sixth try of the season.
Austin Taylor reached the try-zone in the 67th minute for his first score of the season.
Andrew Baublitz added to his team leading total 12th try for the final try in the 78th minute.
Rugby East Dominance
Navy sits atop of the fall Rugby East North divisional standings and in the overall standings for the third-consecutive season. The Midshipmen went 6-1 overall and scored at least four tries in six of the matches.
Navy ranked second in the Rugby East in total points (277) and in point differential (+169). Life led the league in both categories with 365 total points and a +252-point differential.
The Mids' defense was stout all season in conference play, as they allowed a league-low 108 points (15.4 points per match).
Junior Roanin Krieger led all players in the Rugby East in scoring for the second-straight year with 101 points. The Placerville, Calif., native was Navy's primary kicker with 25 conversion kicks and a league-best 17 penalty kicks.
Andrew Baublitz' seven tries in league play ranks third amongst all Rugby East players. The Glen Burnie, Md., native was tied for 10th in total scoring with 35 total points.
Navy Note's
· Seven different Midshipmen reached the try zone in last week's 49-19 victory against Queens. It was the second time this season that seven different Mids have scored in a match (previously against Maryland on Sept. 6).
· The victory over Queens last Saturday, was the eighth time this season the Midshipmen allowed 20 or less points in a match.
· Since the 23-20 defeat to Life last month, Navy has averaged 54.5 points in its last two games and scored a combined 13 tries.
· Senior team captain JD Bengston has scored four tries in the last two matches. His six tries this season are best for second on the team.
· Roanin Krieger has scored in four-straight games and leads all Mids in total points (116), conversion kicks (31) and penalty kicks (18).
· Sophomore Jake Cornelius is the only Midshipmen to appear in all 10 matches for Navy this season. He has made nine starts and ran in two tries for the Navy Blue and Gold.
· Sophomore Andrew Baublitz scored his 25th career try against Queens, which ties with Ben Haugh for the most in program history.
· Kade Williams led the team in meters gained (71) on nine carries in last week's victory.
· Maximus Buono and Tanner Russell each recorded 10 tackles against Queens last Saturday.
Scouting BYU
· The Cougars enter the weekend with a 5-0 record with each win being by at least 42 points. BYU has scored 65 or more points in all five games this season, including 179 against Utah Valley.
· In their most recent outing the Cougars dominated Weber State, 68-14.
