With six of ten games played for the fall XVs season, Michigan’s First Side boasts an even 3-3 record. While the middle stretch of the season, consisting of four back-to-back home games, got off to a rocky start, the Wolverines managed to achieve a few key wins and are hopeful for the rest of the fall campaign.
Conference play began with the Wolverines hosting Ohio State on September 15. Michigan, winless against Ohio State in XVs since 2013, hoped to finally take the Buckeyes down. Despite an early 10-point lead, thanks to a try by sophomore Luke Zana and a successful conversion and penalty goal from senior Max Rector, the Wolverines were unable to make any scores in the second half and fell 10-24.
The following week, Michigan hosted Maryland players for an out-of-conference game in the teams’ second-ever matchup. After conceding two early tries the Wolverines were unable to gain momentum, and eventually lost in a 19-31 final. Having lost three straight games, Michigan’s ruggers knew they had to make some changes to turn the season around.
Fortunately, the Wolverines demonstrated an attitude shift in the next weekend’s game against Rio Grande, aided in no small part by countless Michigan Rugby alumni in town for Olde Blue Weekend. After a tight first half with both teams scoring seven points, Michigan dominated the second half, controlling virtually all territory and scoring three tries. A last-second RedStorm try amounted to a 28-14 Wolverine victory.
Last weekend, the Wolverines capped off their home stretch with their second of three in-conference matches against Notre Dame. Down 14 points with just 13 minutes remaining, the Wolverines mounted a stunning comeback: Junior Matthew Daines punched in a goal-line try, which was followed up shortly by Max Rector picking the ball out of the scrum to score another. Rector’s conversion of his own try put Michigan down two points, but a Notre Dame penalty goal followed shortly after, demanding a converted try from the Wolverines on the final play. That try came from exchange student Joe Ounsley, who made a line break in the 84th minute to stun the Fighting Irish in a 19-17 Michigan victory.
Michigan’s Second Side, unfortunately, has struggled to match the First Side’s promise. While glimmers of promise have shown themselves, the developmental side has had trouble implementing offensive and defensive schemes and remains winless.
Michigan has a bye this weekend coinciding with the university’s fall study break. Both sides will finish regular-season conference play next week at Michigan State, setting the stage for Big Ten playoffs in early November.
