November 13- If the Wildcats are going to continue their rise up the ranks in the ever-growing college rugby space, the depth of the program will be tested. This past week is a sign that the program may be up to the task as 60 athletes saw minutes in three matches against quality sides, headlined by the 1st XV's victory over Colorado State.

 

In the first matchup against the Rams in nearly ten years, the Wildcats would put out a nearly full-strength side as they continue to examine combinations ahead of the 2024 season. Colorado State, fresh off a strong run through the Rocky Mountain Conference, would be no pushover having defeated the Wildcats in their last visit to Sitton Field and rolled through the bulk of their season. 

 

The Wildcats' emphasis on starting well saw immediate results, with Matteo Berenger scoring in the corner off of a Ted Champion linebreak to make it 5-0 in just the second minute. CSU would respond, taking advantage of an Arizona penalty to make it 5-3 six minutes in. An Arizona maul in the Ram's 22 set up Mattox King for an early try, one of three on the day for the hard-running center. The Wildcats' defense set the tone throughout, creating turnover ball opportunities that would put the Wildcats in the Ram's 22 often. Cameron Blair and Jack Bresland would dot down for scores in tight off of these opportunities, while Wing Jacob Broselle would score twice in the final 10 minutes of the half to make it 50-3 at the break. Broselle would get a hat-trick of his own to match King's, scoring in the right corner to seal the win and allow impact subs like Jude Beatty and Will Rohrsheim to make positive contributions late. A 74th minute Antonio Gonzalez try off of an assist from Berenger would lock in the 69-9 victory, their seventh in eight games this Fall. "First off thankful to CSU, we are thrilled to have this series back and they are a tough hard-nosed team that we had to really gameplan for. Secondly I am excited to see how we are progressing, and see how guys are starting to play not just hard but play off of each other, this is how we're going to build this" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

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Arizona Second XV would set the tone earlier in the week, with a squad traveling to Tempe to take on Arizona State Second XV in a friendly that would go the way of the Wildcats 42-22. Two tries a piece by Wing Daniel Lopez and Lock Charles Williams would help lead the squad. Arizona Second XV would also take on Colorado State Second XV, opening Saturday with a 60-3 victory led by two tries from both Wing Jackson Kutcher and Prop Liam Swanson. 

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"Getting this many athletes minutes is challenging. It takes willing teams, effort, some budget, and some trust. But it can be done. As much as we want to win, we also know that rugby is a growing sport. So getting to see what these guys can do in games is worth the effort. They earn every minute and we as coaches love seeing them relish those opportunities" said Duffy.

 

The Wildcats now turn their attention to a tough road test against Texas A&M in Houston for both sides. For the Wildcats full schedule click here.

 

SCORING vs COLORADO STATE

Tries: 11- King (3), Broselle (3), Berenger, Blair, Bresland, Beatty, Gonzalez

Conversions: Champion- 6/10, Catchpole- 1/1

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1st XV vs COLORADO STATE

1. Seamus McCarthy

2. Cameron Blair

3. Dalton Slaughter

4. Jack Brown- C

5. Harry Hobson

6. Andreas Andersson

7. Abe Turpen

8. Jack Bresland

9. George O'Brien

10. Ted Champion

11. Antonio Gonzalez

12. Mattox King

13. EJ Freeman

14. Jacob Broselle- VC

15. Matteo Berenger

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16. Henry Langrish

17. Caeden Chase

18. Lucas Holton

19. Aidan Hendry

20. CJ De Vault

21. Will Rohrsheim

22. Gustave Martinez

23. Jude Beatty

24. Seth Catchpole

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2nd XV vs COLORADO STATE 2nd XV

1. Luke Boals

2. Aidan McCarthy

3. Liam Swanson

4. Pacific Smiley- C

5. Joey Lewis

6. Kent Gamble

7. Troy Norman

8. Aiden Kemp

9. Blake Liddell

10. Seth Cathpole

11. Danny Lopez

12. Ben Herbes

13. Thomas Figley

14. Jackson Kutcher

15. Connor McCormick- VC

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16- Jonathan Gross

17- Logan Able

18- Charles Williams

19- Jacob Jaffe

20- Tanner DeMassa

21- Michael O'Day

22- Andrew Newell

23- PJ Enegren