ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The newly top-ranked Navy men's rugby team (4-0, 3-0 Rugby East) returns to action for the first time in three weeks when it faces 10th-ranked Penn State (1-3, 0-3 Rugby East) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in University Park, Pa.
There will be no broadcast coverage for the match.
Top in the Country
The Midshipmen enter the weekend as the number one team in the nation in the latest College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) October Power Rankings. Fans can view the full rankings on the CRAA website.
Navy has defeated three teams currently in the CRAA top 15 in 13th-ranked Mary Washington (65-3), fifth-ranked Mount St. Mary's (59-19) and second-ranked Life (29-21).
Last Time Out: vs. Life
Navy held off a second-half rally from Life to secure its fourth-straight win on Oct. 4 at the Prusmack Rugby Center in Annapolis.
The Mids took a 17-7 halftime lead behind tries from
Max Smith and
Aidan Gerber and a penalty kick from
Roanin Krieger.
Second-half tries from
Dalton Sand and
Avion Ganse extended the lead to 29-7 before Life responded with two late tries to close the gap to prove what would be the final score, 29-21.
Navy Notes
- Navy remains the only undefeated team in Rugby East play as it looks to clinch its fourth-straight conference title. Navy will close conference play against Penn State and Army.
- Despite the Mids not playing in three weeks, Krieger still leads Rugby East in points (61) and conversions (18) and ranks second in penalty kicks (5).
- Smith has scored 15 points on three tries this season, all against Rugby East opponents, to rank eighth in the conference.
- Navy's kicking game has been exceptional as it has converted all but one of its 25 kicks.
- Andrew Baublitz and Krieger share the team lead with four tries apiece.
- A total of thirteen different Midshipmen have scored a try this season to highlight Navy's depth and balanced attack.
- The defense turned in a strong performance against Life with three players recording double-digit tackles — John Masino (12), Trevor Gayron (11) and Baublitz (10).
Scouting Penn State
- The lone win of the season for the Nittany Lions was a 33-13 non-conference victory over Ohio State on Sept. 20.
- Penn State is led by second-year head coach Zac Mizell.
- Cole Stoeppelwerth leads the team with 25 points and is tied for the conference lead with five tries.
Navy vs. Penn State
- Navy has played more games against Penn State than any opponent since elevating to varsity status. The Mids have won all seven previous games.
- Navy outscored Penn State 109-43 in winning all three games between the team's last season. The most recent matchup came in the first round of the D1A National Championship Playoffs where Navy rolled to a 45-7 win at home.
- Saturday will be the fifth meeting of the teams in Annapolis, where Navy has averaged 39.0 points per game and allowed just 12.7 to Penn State.
