The BG football team was not the only BG athletics team to take down a Big 10 opponent on a last second scoring effort this Saturday. BG Club Rugby took down the Ohio State University, edging the Buckeyes out 31-29.
BG Rugby’s first ever game in the program took place in 1968 against none other than Ohio State. BG won 8-5, and since then Ohio State has been BG’s oldest rival when it comes to rugby. After a rout of Louisville last weekend, BG looked to continue their dominance against the better-equipped Buckeyes.
The score was tight throughout the entirety of the game, with both teams never leading by more than seven. BG and Ohio State continued to trade scoring efforts back and forth until the end of the game.
Adam Regini, Mike Powell and Nick Ross all contributed to BG’s scoring efforts in the first half of play. Regini did well slicing through the defense, scoring his try from 35 yards out. The half came to an end, OSU up 19-12.
Frank Viancourt opened the second half with an immediate try from short yardage, pulling the Falcons within 2 of the Buckeyes. A conversion by Powell followed, tying the game up at 19.
Alex Garnaut took it in from a few yards out after Steve Fritsch cut through the OSU defense for 55 yards, making it look easy. The conversion by Powell was good yet again, allowing the Falcons to pull ahead of the Buckeyes 26-19.
With 10 minutes remaining and both teams exhausted from the gritty battle, it seemed as if the game would end in a tie. BG needed to keep complete control of the ball offensively or play would end in a tie. After rucking all the way to the 50-yard line, BG was granted a penalty kick. Play cannot end on a penalty, so rather than going for the tie, BG attempted one last scoring effort.
The relentless Falcon offense dug deep and went sideline to sideline. Regini fed Ryan Steinmetz who hit Cole Shaffer for the last-second score. After such a hard fought game, the Falcons came together as a team and refused to let their efforts end in a tie. BG rolled along, 31-29.
Director Roger Mazzarella was thrilled with the tenacity and heart of the Falcons.
“Considering we lost 18 guys to graduation last spring, the poise shown by the youth dominated squad at the end of the game was just phenomenal,” he said.
Head coach Tony Mazzarella was conservative with his reaction after his game rather than ecstatic, looking forward to next week.
“We were really good in spurts, but we were inconsistent in some of our discipline which led to penalties and all of Ohio State’s scores,” he said. “On the other hand, losing the lead and coming back the way we did, it shows a lot of heart, especially for a young team.”
BG looks to continue their momentum next week against another tough opponent, Davenport. It is safe to say that after the offensive show against Louisville and the defense showing heart against Ohio State, BG is clicking on all cylinders.
The Falcons will play Davenport Sept. 20 at home at the College Park Rugby Field.
