The Aztec's fell short of their bid of reaching the final four losing to BYU 37-14. The final score was probably not indicative of how close the game became midway through the second half. Conditions on the day were very tough, with the Aztec's facing a steady wind gusting from 15 - 20 mph blowing directly down the field to start the game. This wind dictated field position. Gains into the wind were quickly met with 50-60 meter kicks pinning the Aztec's back on defense.
The first twenty minutes of the game was played entirely in the Aztec's half. Poached ball from BYU miscues resulted in 20 meter kicks into the wind for touch. Unfortunately, BYU size made stealing line out throw ins very tough. Lock Brian Branch did manage his share of steals though allowing the Aztec's some offense possessions. At the 23rd minute mark BYU was able to create a gap in the middle of the defense and were able to strike first. At the 30 minute mark a second score was pushed over by BYU. Two penalty kicks raised the total to 20-0 at half.
Now it was the Aztec's turn to have the wind. Sending booming kicks into the corners the Aztec's adopted the same strategy as BYU. At the 15 minute mark wing Alex Ross sent forward a grubber kick past the defending wing and secured the bounce to score the Aztec's first try. An inadvertent pass, unfortunately was picked off by BYU and they scored next.
Flyhalf Duncan Kelm was not to be denied on the day and off a dummy going out wide he made a lovely side step to open prairie. The swift Kelm raced in from 30 meters to bring the score to 25-14 with roughly 10 minutes to go. The pace of the next 10 minutes was incredibly frantic as the Aztec's threw everything they could at the defense of BYU. In the end though it was BYU who was able to secure some fortuitous bounces and slot the final two trys.
In all, the team did not play their best game offensively as the strong wind made timing of the passes in the backs difficult. On defense though the team was stellar. Facing a significantly "older" and larger pack the team made tackle after tackle with flanker Ryan Howe leading the way.
The team came up short on the day but had the respect of BYU. Based on the pairing of the brackets both teams felt the other groups facing significantly lower competition. The final four is now set with California playing St. Mary's a team they beat in league 58-3 and BYU playing Colorado.
The final will be probably be a rematch of last years teams California and BYU with Cal going on to win their 24th championship. This should leave the Aztec's perhaps in the top 5 for the final National Rankings. Here are the preliminary top 10 from American Rugby News. (With a lopsided score the Aztec's could move into number four if Colarado loses both of their games handily).
1 (1) California (15-1) [5]
2 (2) BYU (13-1) [5]
3 (8) Colorado (13-2) [3]
4 (4) St Mary's (18-2) [5]
5 (3) San Diego State (11-2) [3]
6 (5) Cal Poly (13-4) [3]
7 (6) Penn State (9-5) [4]
8 (7) Kutztown (11-2) [4]
9 (10) Navy (10-3-1) [4]
10 (12) Arkansas State (11-1-1) [2]
To review the games please log onto the American Rugby News at the link below.
What a great year it was and with a very young team returning 10 underclassmen the team should be well positioned to be a force next year. I will provide a full update of Foundation activities and the team in the May newsletter. Including, the latest financial contributors, the final four, director elections and summer sevens events.
Congratulation's on a great year. You should all be proud.
