The first round of the 2024 D1A Playoffs is complete. And eight games in, the official Try Times Bracket is still perfect. If you were hoping for some upsets, this was likely a disappointing weekend for you. In all eight of the matchups, the higher seed prevailed. There were some close calls, but the matches unfolded as expected for the most part.
West Round of 16:
3 BYU vs 6 UCLA
The first match of the weekend was BYU vs. UCLA. They took the pitch on Friday afternoon due to the semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which funds BYU. BYU came out on top, but it was actually UCLA who drew first blood. UCLA went up 7-0, but BYU responded with a pair of tries. At halftime, BYU led 26-10. BYU was in command from that point on. The Cougars outscored UCLA 22-5 in the second half. Final score 48-15 in favor of BYU. The Cougars have had trouble finishing matches this season. They let Central Washington come back after leading 12-0 at the half. They lost to Life after leading 10-6 at the half. So an even spread of tries for BYU could be a good sign moving forward. They surely will be out for revenge against Central this weekend.
1 St. Mary's vs. 8 GCU
The rest of the matches took place on Saturday across three different time zones. The #1 seed, St. Mary's took on the #8 seed GCU. Much like Friday's match, the lower seed ignited a spark of hope to start off the match. Ten minutes into the match, GCU took advantage of a St. Mary's knock-on in their own end and scored the first try of the match. St. Mary's then set out to crush any hope GCU had. In the next ten minutes, the Gaels scored twice. From there, they went on a tear. The Gaels led 38-7 at halftime. If you were impressed by their first half of rugby, their second was even better. St. Mary's showed everyone why they're the #1 seed with a 40-0 second-half onslaught. The final score: 78-7 St. Mary's.
4 Cal vs. 5 Cal Poly
Cal vs. Cal Poly was also a one-sided match. The Golden Bears scored the first try just five minutes into the match and never looked back. They led at the half 38-8. Cal really looked strong throughout this match and finished 70-13. This match will likely be a good confidence booster for Cal. After suffering some uncharacteristic losses, they need some mojo back before another trip to Moraga to face off against the Gaels.
2 Central Washington vs. 7 Arizona
The final match of the west was Central vs. Arizona. We predicted this would be the closest matchup in the west and we were right. Central won by a score of 23-17, but Arizona really gave them a run for their money at the end. At halftime, the match was still close. Central led 15-7. It was a low-scoring first half with heaps of ball-handling errors from both sides.
In the second half, Central scored a penalty goal just 30 seconds in, followed by a try a few minutes later. Central led 23-7 for a good chunk of the second half. But in the 60th minute, Arizona decided to mount their comeback. Arizona set up a fake maul and dished the ball back inside to the hooker who ran down the sideline for a much-needed try.
Arizona scored another try with just 45 seconds left on the clock. Arizona had the ball for about five minutes on the Central try line. Arizona just took too long to score and left themselves time for just one last shot. Arizona put together five solid phases before earning a penalty. On any other field, that would've been a critical mistake for Central. But because Arizona was kicking into the wind they barely gained ten meters on the free kick. Arizona had another crack at it with 50 meters to go. Four phases in, the ball slipped through the hands of a forward runner. The ball clearly went backward and was then cleanly recovered by an Arizona player. Unfortunately, the ref didn't think so and Central Washington advanced to the western quarterfinals.
East Round of 16:
1 Navy vs. 8 Mary Washington
The reigning National Champions started off the match strong. Just two minutes into the match, the Mothers Center was shown a yellow card for an intentional knock-on. One kick to touch and maul later, and Navy was over the line for the first try of the match. Navy kept their foot on the gas, scoring 17 points in the first 16 minutes of the match. Mary Washington charged down multiple kicks in the first half from Navy's flyhalf. And it was a charged down kick that led to the first points of the match for Mary Washington. The Mary Washington try brought the score to 17-7, after an impressive conversion from Seb Schefermann. Navy added ten more points to their scoreline, going into half lead 27 to 7. The second half was painfully uneventful. For 30 minutes, neither team scored, with Navy controlling a majority of the territory. Finally, in the 71st minute, Navy scored the first try of the second half. The Midshipmen scored one final try off an impressive counterattack from a reserve. Final score 41-7, Navy advances.
4 Arkansas State vs. 5 Davenport
This was the third time this season these two teams met. The most recent meeting went to Davenport so I really was unsure who would take this one. Arkansas State scored the first points with a penalty goal to go up 3-0. Another penalty goal in the 15th minute put the Red Wolves up 6-0. With 15 minutes to go in the first half, Arkansas State finally got over the try line to take a 13-0 lead over Davenport. The Red Wolves finished off the half with a third penalty goal from 46 meters out. They led 16-0 at halftime.
But Davenport wasn't ready to call it quits. Davenport scored the first try of the second half to close the gap, bringing the score to 16-5 with thirty minutes left to play. The Panthers continued to claw their way back into the match with another try, just six minutes later. Unfortunately, the Davenport kicker couldn't convert so only a converted try would give the Panthers the lead. Davenport did just that, scoring a try and making the conversion with only 11 minutes left in the match. This gave them a 17-16 lead.
With all the momentum in favor of the Panthers, it appeared they might be the ones to advance to the quarterfinals. Davenport held onto the ball for the next four or so minutes. Arkansas State earned another crack at the lead after some physical defense. With 6 minutes left, Arkansas State had a 2v1. If properly executed, it would've been a walk-in try for the Red Wolves. But they miss that opportunity and earn a penalty instead. The game-winning try came on the ensuing sequence from a clever switch by the scrumhalf and lock. With just a minute left, the Panthers had one last chance. They had a lineout at the 22 m line but the jumper mishandled the throw. From there Arkansas State ran out the clock and secured their spot in the quarterfinals.
3 Lindenwood vs. 6 Mt. St. Mary's
This match belonged to the Lions from start to finish. Lindenwood mauled in the first try of the match in the 7th minute. They scored once more with twelve minutes left. The score at halftime was 14-0 Lindenwood. A perfectly worked set-piece play from a middle scrum put the winger in. Lindenwood led 21-0. Lindenwood scored a fourth a final try to punch their ticket to the quarter-finals with a 26-0 win. The Lion's defense was a real bright spot for them. They will need to put in another defensive shift like that against Life this weekend.
2 Life vs. 7 Army
Life started the match off with the upper hand. They found their way over the try line twice, bringing the score to 14-3 in favor of the Running Eagles. The Black Knights managed to pull within striking distance by scoring two penalty goals before heading to the sheds. At halftime Life led 14-9. Army stole the lead after a penalty kick and a crucial try. With just 18 minutes left, they led 17-14. Army looked to pull off the only upset of the round of 16. Life responded with a try from the maul and a penalty kick to seal the win. Life wins 24-17 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Although there were no upsets, the round of 16 boasted some exciting matches. Personally, I think this playoff format makes much more sense with the current landscape of college rugby. We truly saw the best 16 teams in the nation square off last weekend. In regards to performances, I think St. Mary's and Cal looked really sharp. I thought Cal vs. Cal Poly would be a closer matchup, but the Golden Bears reminded us that they are always dangerous in the playoffs. I expected Life to win by more against Army, so the Lindenwood vs. Life matchup could be a nail-biter.
Congratulations to all the teams that played this week. To GCU, UCLA, Mt. St. Mary's, Mary Washington, Davenport, Army, Arizona, and Cal Poly; congratulations on a fantastic season. To the teams that won, best of luck this coming weekend!
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