Michigan ready for the kickoff
In the second rugby match ever played at Bowling Green’s Doyt Perry Stadium, things did not go well for the Wolverines. After a few kicks back and forth from both teams, Bowling Green would score at the fifth minute when a big BGSU forward broke several tackles right down the middle.
Five minutes later, BGSU would find themselves in a scrum at Michigan’s 25 yard marker. After the scrum and several series of play, BG found holes in the Michigan defense on the sidelines. The try and conversion gave BG an early 14-0 lead. In another kicking play, BG got the ball down to the 10 yard line. A maul after the lineout brought them within yards of the try zone where the scrumhalf then picked up the ball and took it to the corner for another score and conversion.
Play did not improve much for the Michigan side in the following minutes. Three more scores from Bowling Green came at 18’, 24’, and 27’, all in similar fashion. BGSU would break up the sidelines and a lack of Michigan defenders allowed several easy offloads ending in a try. BG’s kicker, a tighthead prop, was on point as well drilling conversions from all over the pitch.
Michigan found one of its best scoring chances of the first half at the 30’. Several series of positive yardage got Michigan into BG territory. A BG penalty in the ruck then allowed Grady Bridges to kick the ball down to the 10 yard line. Several penalties turned the line out into a Michigan scrum. A pick by Karl Boothman got the ball down to the 5 yard line; however a mishandling in the back line would eventually relieve Michigan of possession. Bad play peaked for Michigan right before the half where BGSU put in another set of 3 tries and conversions to bring the score to 63-0 after 40’.
In the second half, BGSU continued controlling the majority of the game. BGSU scored in the 44’ and 53’ by simply maintaining possession after positive yardage plays.
In the 58’, Michigan again found themselves within easy scoring distance but a knock-on ruined any chances of not being shutout. Michigan’s play seemed to pick up in the end despite the daunting score. Inspiring hits and crashes from Michigan players were only followed by missed tackles and BGSU tries for a final score of 89-0.
Michigan hopes to take out some frustration this week as they prepare for their in-state rivals, Michigan State, who they have not played in over a year.
