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A new season opened up Saturday for the MTSU Blue Raider Rugby Club.
In a preseason that had many more questions than answers, the coaching staff was slow to predict the outcome before the match. "I'm not really sure how we match up at all." remarked Coach Dusty Brown prior to Saturday's
contest with Tennessee Tech., and the first half provided little to go on. MTSU, slow out of the gate hung close in the first half. MT's sole points came via Jason Davilla on a surge to the tryline where he would not be denied. The score at the half was TTU-10 MTSU-7.
After a fiery half-time speach by head coach Mark Williams the Blue Raiders came out a different team in the second half. "We are not playing as a team!" barked Coach Williams. "We must play as a unit!" He added. Jason Davilla once again took things into his own hands and plowed in for another try. Conversion kick was made by Nick Chamberlin. The second half saw the "men in blue" start to pull away. Massive lock Saadiq Ziyad muscled his way in for yet another MT try leaving his opponents dazed and confused in his dust. Unfortunately Ziyad left the match early with a dislocated shoulder. MTSU was not done yet. Daniel Lazano ended any thoughts of a TTU comeback with a nifty run for another try. As referee Phil Tilkey blew the full time whistle MTSU had its first win of the season, a decisive 28 to 15 over Tenn. Tech.
Next match next Saturday at Vandy.
In the B-side match, MTSU outgunned TTU by a score of 39-3. Trys were scored by Dustin Gordon, Chris Merrideth (both freshmen from Brighton), Eli Hatcher, Batman (actual name classified) and Zeke Anderson. Jared Owen and Dustin Gordon both added conversion kicks. The entire B-side played strong and aggressive. Coaches were also in praise of freshman, Mike Sandman. "I was very impressed with the way these boys played today" remarked MT assistant coach Danny Demonbreun. "The A-side better bring it. These guys are hungry." he added. With several true freshmen and several first time players, the future looks bright for the MTSU faithful.
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