 "Photo: Mike Mangum")
The Utah rugby team opened at home against Utah Valley University on Sept. 5 and successfully recorded its first win, defeating UVU, which competes at the Division-II level, by a score of 77-5 at Baliff Field.
Sophomore flanker Danny James pointed out his team’s work ethics and determination to never give in and how the players didn’t waver despite the large lead they had.
“We were able to capitalize on mistakes made by UVU, and our backline ran aggressive lines, creating gaps in the defense, which opened up our offense,” James said.
Next, the Utes will face a friendlier kind of competition as the team participates in the Alumni Game on Sept. 12. The event honors the 1972-1973 original U Rugby team. The following weekend, the Utes will take on Air Force Academy at home.
The 2009 fall schedule includes three away games at Idaho State University, University of Colorado and Colorado State University.
The team’s short season will conclude with games at home against Utah State and Weber State in October.
Despite all that is going well for Utah rugby this season, second-year head coach Blake Burdette knows his team can always improve and said their mission this fall is to get better as a team.
“I foresee our greatest challenge this year as staying healthy and improving each week,” Burdette said.
Last season, the team went 21-5 and reached the Round of Sixteen—equivalent to the Sweet 16—in the national playoffs, an achievement Burdette said can help his team carry momentum into this season.
“Our returning players from last year are seasoned and more experienced,” he said.
Along with veterans on the team, there are also many new additions to the roster. The team evaluates players from all over the country but has focused mainly on recruiting from Utah. Burdette said he believes the new players will add livelihood and strength to the team and will have the chance to see playing time from the beginning.
“Because of the experience many of our recruits have, we feel they can contribute right away,” Burdette said. “Every player who joins the University of Utah rugby team has the same opportunity to play.”
Burdette has put together a fall season to challenge his players physically and mentally. Similar to spring training in football, rugby employs the short fall season to develop the players and the team.
“The fall season is going to give us a chance to gel as a team even more and allow us to continue improving our skills, fitness and physical style of play,” James said.
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