Men's rugby closes in on playoff berth

Marshall's men's rugby club moved a step closer Saturday to clinching an automatic berth in the Ohio Rugby Union playoff as it defeated Miami (Ohio) 57-7 at Veteran's Memorial Field House in Huntington.

It was the third consecutive win for the club as its overall record improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Ohio Rugby Union play.

"This was a conference game, so we knew we had to win," senior wing forward Jeremy Tominack said. "We are playing for a spot in the playoffs. We knew what we had to do and we did it."

Senior wing back John Janusz said, "Compared to past weeks, we executed our game plan better."

Thundering Herd Coach and professor of economics Dr. Al Wilkins said he knew the Redhawks were a young and inexperienced team, but was was relieved his team didn't take them too lightly.

"Normally, when playing a weaker team you tend to play down to their level of skill," Wilkins said. "Overall, I felt we played well. We maintained our intensity throughout the game. It was more of a blowout than I expected."

The team scored two impressive victories in the past two weeks. On Sept. 23, it defeated Kent State, 26-0. The previous week, it defeated Division I powerhouse Virginia Tech 37-22. Virginia Tech, had a pre-season No. 2 ranking, behind the University of California at Berkeley.

"We were really up for them. I don't think they expected us to play like we did," Wilkins said of Virginia Tech.

The Thundering Herd can secure an automatic berth in the Ohio Rugby Union playoffs with a win against the University of Cincinnati at home Saturday. Wilkins said it is going to be difficult, but said the team has what it takes to be successful in the playoffs.

"We need to make sure we are physically fit," Wilkins said. "There are going to be teams really fit like Toledo.

"We have some real good athletes. Skills aren't our concern, the conditioning is," he said. "If you play a team that has run out of gas, you can do what you want."