ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The top-ranked Navy men's rugby team (14-1) overcame harsh weather conditions to conclude the regular season with a 37-12 win over No. 17 Penn State (1-9) on Saturday at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis, Md.

The Mids held just a two-point lead entering the 27th minute, but struck for three tries over the next 11 minutes to build a 24-5 lead. The Nittany Lions answered with a try to end the first half to make the score, 24-12. Navy's defense held Penn State scoreless in the second half and the offense took advantage of penalties to add another 13 points to the scoreboard. 

"We are very happy that the game went ahead in what were almost unplayable conditions. We have some good takeaways with a solid set piece and kicking game," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "As always, we have lots of work on. We are excited to commence our national championship journey in a few weeks."

The Nittany Lions were issued a knock-on penalty in the fifth minute trying to bring in a clearing kick. The play gifted the Mids a scrum at their offensive 10-meter line. Navy won the scrum and Landon Opp booted a clearing kick inside the five-meter line. Penn State corralled the loose ball and sent a clearing kick out of bounds at the 22-meter line. The Mids controlled the ensuing lineout and charged back down to the five-meter line. The Nittany Lions were penalized during a ruck and Opp sent a short free kick out of bounds near the try line. Navy formed a maul after winning the lineout and Dalton Sand scored a try during the play in the eighth minute. Roanin Krieger snuck the conversion kick inside the right upright to give the Mids a 7-0 lead. 

The ensuing kickoff bounced down inside the five-meter line and Penn State was able to jump on the loose ball. The Nittany Lions punched their way across the try line on the following ruck in the ninth minute to make the score, 7-5. 

Navy drove inside the five-meter line twice over the next eight minutes, but both scoring chances were negated due to penalties. 

Penn State worked the ball back into its offensive zone after Krieger committed a knock on attempting to catch a clearing kick. The Mids used their kicking game to prevent the Nittany Lions from gaining territory. Jake Cornelius made a huge defensive play in the 23rd minute. Penn State shifted its attack to the right of the pitch and Cornelius stepped in front of a pass to intercept the ball. The freshman ran over 30 meters into the 22-meter zone before offloading the ball to JD Bengston. However, Bengston dropped the ball forward during the exchange for a knock-on. The Nittany Lions won their scrum and sent a clearing kick out of bounds between their defensive 10 and 22-meter lines. Krieger received the first pass out of the lineout and he immediately kicked the ball into the try zone. Bengston sprinted down the left sideline and fell on the ball to score a try in the 27th minute to give Navy a 12-5 lead. 

The Mids continued to dominate the gainline to keep the ball in their offensive zone. The Nittany Lions hoped to launch the ball out of their defensive zone with a box kick, but their kicker sent it straight out of bounds. The play granted Navy a lineout between its offensive 10 and 22-meter lines. Penn State was then called for a penalty for collapsing the maul. Opp booted a free kick out of bounds just inside the 22-meter zone. The Mids formed another maul after winning the lineout and bulldozed their way near the try line. The official issued another penalty against the Nittany Lions during the maul. Navy was awarded a penalty try in the 34th minute from the play to gain a 19-5 advantage. 

Penn State rolled another kickoff inside the five-meter line and then forced a turnover to set up an excellent scoring opportunity. The Mids responded by stealing back the ball. Krieger quickly kicked the ball out of the 22-meter zone. Navy was penalized during the ensuring lineout to gift Penn State a scrum at the 22-meter line. The Mids stole the ball right back during the scrum. Ben Haugh slipped through a pair of tackles and ran over 30 meters before offloading the ball to Ian Bullock. Bullock gained another 20 meters to give Navy possession inside its offensive 22-meter zone. The Mids worked the ball to the right of the pitch out to Andrew Baublitz. The freshman found space on the edge and ran into the try zone for a score in the 38th minute to make the score, 24-5. 

Penn State gained back momentum by scoring a try in extended time to make the score, 24-12, at halftime. 

Multiple knock-on penalties prevented either team from adding points to the scoreboard until the 59th minute. The Nittany Lions were called for offsides during a clearing kick, which granted the Mids a penalty kick from their offensive 22-meter line. Krieger made the kick to give Navy a 27-12 cushion. 

The Mids established possession inside the 22-meter zone again in the 69th minute thanks to a 50-22 kick from Krieger. Navy lost possession after committing a turnover during the lineout. Penn State kicked the ball out of the 22-meter zone, but a great return from Krieger set up the Mids in their offensive 22-meter zone again. Navy attacked the right of the pitch and Aidan Gerber punched the ball into the try zone in the 71st minute. Krieger nailed the conversion kick to put the Mids ahead, 34-12. 

Kade Williams accounted for the final points of the match after making a penalty kick in the 75th minute. 

Navy will enjoy a bye week before its first CRAA Division I-A playoff patch on Saturday, April 6 at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis, Md. The playoff bracket is expected to be announced on Monday. 

Box Score
First Half
8:07 - Try - Navy - Dalton Sand (5-0)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (7-0)

9:51 - Try - Penn State (7-5)

27:40 - Try - Navy - JD Bengston (12-5)

34:35 - Penalty Try - Navy (19-5)

38:03 - Try - Navy - Andrew Baublitz (24-5)

40:00 - Try - Penn State (24-10)
Conversion Kick - Penn State (24-12)

Second Half
59:33 - Penalty Kick - Navy - Roanin Krieger (27-12)

71:15 - Try - Navy - Aidan Gerber (32-12)
Conversion Kick - Roanin Krieger (34-12)

75:55 - Penalty Kick - Navy - Kade Williams (37-12)

Navy vs. Penn State Match Notes
• The Mids are 4-0 in their varsity history against the Nittany Lions
• Navy has outscored Penn State, 176-49, in the four matchups
• The Mids surpassed their scoring total (760 points) and number of tries scored (112) from last season in three fewer games. Navy has scored 763 points and 114 tries during the 2023-24 campaign
• Krieger led the team in scoring with seven points from two conversion kicks and a penalty kick. He needs to score just seven more points to surpass 300 in his career
• Baublitz recorded his team-leading 12th try of the season. He's second on the team in scoring this season with 60 points
• Sand found the try zone for the third time in just his fifth appearance 
• Williams increased his scoring total to 25 points after making the second conversion kick during his freshman campaign