Nebraska falls to MU rugby

By Allie Blood

Published Oct. 9, 2007

MU men's rugby team maintained its undefeated season record by beating Nebraska 25-14 on Saturday.

The team took on Nebraska after the annual Old Boys' Game, a match that pits current MU rugby players with rugby alumni. Despite the Huskers' Division I status, the Tigers were ahead 20-0 at the end of the first half.

"(Nebraska) came out hard hitting, and they came close to scoring, but we finally put it down in their end," senior rugby player Brian Bage said.

The first try was scored about 10 minutes into the game. Bage said the crowd was larger at this game because it included alumni from the Old Boys' Game. Nebraska fans also attended to cheer for the Cornhuskers.

All the cheering and jeering did not make a difference, as rookie D.J. Stanger scored his first A-side try. The freshman was in for the injured senior flanker Kevin Hereford.

"It was awesome because I've looked up to these guys all year, and to finally be able to contribute was awesome," Stanger said.

Other influential players were junior Scott Smith and junior Jeff Rehder.

"Rehder had some really good kicks, which were instrumental," Moore said.

Rehder said he kicked better in the first half because he was kicking with the wind rather than against the wind in the second half.

"Kicking-wise I was happy, but I was more impressed with how the team played," Rehder said.

Moore said the team's ability to identify Nebraska's weaknesses was key to its win.

"Their back line wasn't playing well," Bage said. "We used our speed and kicked to the corners to get a win."

The Tigers' victory against Nebraska means their undefeated record is still intact, and Bage said he expects MU will move up in the Division II rankings. Before Saturday, the team was ranked 11th, while Nebraska was ranked 17th in Division I.

But the victory came with injuries. Bage said he sent a Nebraska player to the hospital for stitches under his eye, and Rehder sent one home with a broken nose.

"I was running the ball and made contact like normal when I felt something on my left shoulder," Rehder said. "When I looked up, he was on the ground, and play stopped."

MU suffered its fair share of injuries, too. Junior Eric Wright has an injured knee and senior Kevin Ogar injured his shoulder. Sophomore John Victor, junior Ben Harrison and Hereford were injured in previous play.

Before the Nebraska game, alumni played versus the B-side players. Traditionally, A-side players take on the alumni, but this year they saved their energy for the Nebraska game. The Old Boys, composed of alumni ranging in age from low 20s to early 30s, beat the B-side players.

"We didn't keep score, but if we did, it probably would have been really lopsided," Moore said.