Michigan has had a positive month of October. At the beginning of the month, the team traveled to College Park, MD to beat the University of Maryland. After a bye last week, Michigan’s second side handily beat Bowling Green’s third side yesterday.
Against Maryland on October 8, the first side had a close game early. Brothers Shea and Braden Loughnane both created their own tries, but Maryland punched in one of their own and the score was 14-5 after the first 20 minutes. After another Michigan try, Maryland looked to be on the verge of making it a one score game at the end of the first half. But George Janke intercepted a pass and ran it 80 meters for a “pick five” try, and Michigan cruised the rest of the way to win 45-17. Freshman Luke Zana shined for the Wolverines at wing. He scored two of his own tries on offense and applied constant pressure to the Terrapins’ edge attack on defense.
The second side also played extremely well against Maryland. Sophomore center Jamie Willcox ran through a few defenders to score two minutes into the game, and juniors Armen Vartanian and Nic Granchalek led the squad with two tries apiece. The final score was 46-17, Michigan.
The Wolverines had a bye on October 15, and players got to enjoy the University’s fall break.
October 22 was Parents Weekend for Michigan Men’s Rugby. Northwestern was supposed to come to town to face Michigan’s first side, but Northwestern decided this past week that they would not travel, and the first side was left without an opponent. Northwestern’s forfeit moves the Wolverines to 3-4 on the season. However, the Wolverines certainly wish they could have played the game. Northwestern robbed players of a chance to play in front of their parents, and seniors lost what would have been their final regular season home game.
Bowling Green’s third side drove up from Ohio to face Michigan’s second side, and that became the highlight of the day. Freshman Lance Buescher shined in the Wolverines’ 41-19 win with two long try-scoring runs. Alumnus Tony Menyhart made a meal for both teams after the game.
This week, Michigan faces Michigan State in the annual “Battle For the Mitten” game in Lansing.
