With the end of the semester just weeks away and summer on the horizon, the Buffalo State
men’s rugby team has flown under the radar despite a successful season to this point.
Each of the last two weekends, the team has played in a tournament. They traveled to
Morgantown, W. Va., and Oswego, N.Y., placing third and second, respectively.
“I thought we did a great job especially in the West Virginia tournament, which is just as big as
the Savannah tournament,” coach Rob Jenkinson said. “To go up against Division I talent and
showcase our talents I really think sent a message.”
Those Division I opponents in Morgantown two weekends ago included Marshall University,
which they beat, 19-5, and national powerhouse West Virginia, which they lost to in the
championship game.
“The only concern I had, if any, was our recycling of the ball,” Jenkinson said. “I thought we
kind of got a little lazy on the defensive side of the ball and it caused a couple breakdowns
physically and mentally. But otherwise, we realized that West Virginia is a national powerhouse
so much respect has to be given to them.”
After traveling back home, the team went to Oswego last weekend and played various schools
from New York, such as Oswego, Geneseo and Le Moyne College.
The team played four games in Oswego, beating Le Moyne, 19-7, and Oswego alumni, 26-5.
They then played to a 10-10 tie with Oswego, before losing to Geneseo, 7-0, in the championship
game.
“It stinks that we came up short in both championship games, but the goal is always to bring
some sort of hardware home, so in that mindset we definitely accomplished that,” club president
Clayton Hoyt said.
“Our game-flow aspect has really improved throughout the season,” Jenkinson said. “On offense
we want to hold onto the ball as long as possible and win the time of possession, constant motion
is key for us. I think the guys really grasped that concept as the season progressed.”
The club, which is 7-3, will close out its season Saturday against a Buffalo State alumni team.
One of its other losses also came at the hands of a powerhouse, Indiana University. The team
known as the “Mad Dogs” until this season has made some big strides in advancing the prestige
of the club this year.
“I think as a team we’ve come a long way,” Hoyt said. “Even transforming ourselves from the
old ‘Mad Dogs,’ to going back to just the men’s rugby team, I think we’ve really put a stamp on
this university here, locally and nationally. We hope to continue this success moving forward.”
After Saturday, the team will pick back up in early August for league games that start in
September.
“The league is currently under construction,” Jenkinson said. “Our division specifically is going
through a re-alignment so we don’t have a schedule yet, but we’ll definitely be meeting up in
early August to practice and get back into a rhythm.”
Aubrey Gibert can be reached by email at gibert.record@live.com.