PARSEGHIAN CUP PREVIEW: WILDCATS, FIGHTING IRISH SCRUM DOWN FOR GOOD CAUSE

 

#13 Arizona vs Notre Dame

Saturday, March 12th

2:30 PM

Stanford University

 

 

 

Scrumhalf Jonah Eldridge '18 hopes to help the Wildcats to their third straight victory.

March 11- Arizona has named the side for their final road trip of March, as the team heads to Northern California to meet Notre Dame in the 4th Annual Parseghian Cup at Stanford University. Head Coach Sean Duffy has made just two changes to the team that defeated Colorado 56-12 last week, with Ben Joseph and JJ Fanucci returning from injury to feature in the starting backline.

 

Lock Cesar Davila captains the side, with a strong combination of Cam Hudson and Mason Pedersen joining up with Goff Rugby Report College Gamebreaker Steven Branham at Hooker. Joining Davila at Lock is Sean Coleman, while Sam Peri, Tyler Hansen, and Wildcat of the Week Ryan Fitzpatrick make up the backrow. 

 

In the backline, Vice Captain Kyle Rogers slots in at Flyhalf where Jonah Eldridge pairs with him at Scrumhalf. In the centers, Shane Dempsey slides to Outside Center with JJ Fanucci moving back in to the starting lineup after an injury layoff. On the outside, Ben Joseph returns at Wing with Dante Weeks and Jack San Pietro joining him. 

 

The bench sees minor changes from last week's victory, with Bryce Mantell, Matt May, Dacoda Worth, Ian Crilly, and Jake Rice providing cover in the Forwards. In the backline, Matt Rogers, Ian Hause, and impact Freshman Adam Wilson round out the side.

 

This match marks a special occasion for both teams, with all proceeds from the game and banquet going towards the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation. Arizona currently holds the cup, having won last year's match 21-19 at Sitton Field. For Coach Duffy, the weekend is already a win for both teams and the cause. "Regardless of the outcome, we're honored to help the Foundation in their effort to fight Niemann Pick Type C disease, and our goal with this neutral site match is to raise as much as possible to hopefully find a cure" said Duffy. 

 

For more information on the foundation, or to donate, head to www.parseghian.org. 

 

 

 

Lineup (Click for bio)

1. Cam Hudson

2. Steven Branham

3. Mason Pedersen

4. Sean Coleman

5. Cesar Davila (C)

6. Sam Peri

7. Ryan Fitzpatrick

8. Tyler Hansen

9. Jonah Eldridge

10. Kyle Rogers

11. Ben Joseph

12. JJ Fanucci

13. Shane Dempsey

14. Dante Weeks

15. Jack San Pietro

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16. Bryce Mantell

17. Matthew May

18. Dacoda Worth

19. Ian Crilly

20. Jake Rice

21. Matt Rogers

22. Ian Hause

23. Adam Wilson