Rugby Dominates Oklahoma, 69-3
NORMAN, Okla. — Nine different players scored tries to lead Arkansas State University to a 69-3 victory over the University of Oklahoma Saturday afternoon in men’s college rugby.
It didn’t take long for the Red Wolves to get on the board when Pedro Alvarez scored the try early and the conversion by Dylan Boast put A-State up, 7-0. Nic Abreus’ first of two successful tries came shortly after, building the lead to 12-0.
"We had a hot start to the game scouring the first try within the first minute," said Shaun Potgieter, Red Wolves head coach. "Nic made a great line break off a center scrum and passed it off to Pedro who scored between the uprights."
The Sooners cut into the Red Wolves’ early lead by scoring their only points of the match off the penalty kick to bring the total to 12-3.
"Oklahoma came back after that try with pride and made it tough for us to get continuity on offense. After about 20 minutes, we cracked their defense again," added Potgieter. "We stuck to the game plan for the rest of the game and scored some entertaining tries."
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Preston Weigel, who also had two successful tries on the day, scored with Boast adding the conversion. A try by Tabo Maree increased A-State’s point total allowing the Red Wolves to go in at the half with a 26-3 lead..
Arkansas State came out with a roar to start the remaining period of the game with Val Balande scoring the try. Subsequent scores by Andrew Pretorius and Tanner Pope extended the lead to 41-3.
Abreus’ second try of the game, followed by Stewart Fay and Ruan Knuppel, was good. Knuppel connected on all three conversions. Weigel closed out the game with his second try and Knuppel was successful on the conversion to give A-State the final 69-3 end.
"We enjoyed the victory for about an hour or two on the road back to Jonesboro. Then, we turned our focus to preparing for next week's classic clash," concluded Potgieter.
A-State returns home Saturday, Nov. 12, to host Life University in the fall season finale. The game gets underway at noon at Curt Huckaby Field, 501 Red Wolf Trail.
