(Toni Hensley photo)

Several Mid-Atlantic Premier League teams have posted wins in their final preseason hit-outs ahead of next week’s start to league play.

Penn State, Kutztown and Delaware all got in to the winners’ circle.

The Nittany Lions had the toughest go of the lot, pulling off a last minute 26-22 victory against a gritty Ohio State in Columbus, OH. The Buckeyes had the lead with literally a minute left on the clock when PSU scored the game-winner.

“It was a very physical match,” Penn State head coach Don Ferrell told ARN. “I thought they [OSU] had a good run today.”

Winger Brian Oteri (2) led his side’s scoring, while Penn State’s two other tries were put down by the forwards.

PSU’s win followed last week’s 59-12 triumph over Temple.

Elsewhere, Kutztown shut out UPenn 34-0 in rainy conditions. The Golden Bears were without one of their main playmakers in Marco Barnard, who got a concussion at the sevens national team training camp in Chula Vista, CA.

Barnard may be sidelined for a few weeks as a result. Nonetheless, KU notched six tries against Penn. Their new Berkshire Counties U20 prop Jamie Gregory (2), Mark Eichner, Dave Kornock, Tim Acker and Dirk Scheepers did the damage. It was 24-0 at halftime.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” said Kutztown head coach Doc Jones.

In Philadelphia, Delaware beat St Joe’s 20-6. UD led 10-3 at the half.

Center Jimmy Kowalski (2), flyhalf Jerry Roetger and fullback Patrick Mullarky scored UD’s tries.

“We controlled the tempo of the game even though St Joe’s is a big team,” Delaware head coach Bjorn Haglid told ARN.

“We’re looking forward to going up to Kutztown next week. I’m feeling pretty good.”

And Premier League new boys Rutgers finished their preseason with a close 22-17 loss to men’s Division II club Union Friday night in Piscataway, NJ.

Union dominated the first period to take a 17-0 lead into halftime.

Two tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half by Rutgers flyhalf Evan Fitzgerald off of quick tap penalties closed the gap to 17-12, but Union punched in another try midway through the frame to extend its lead to 10 points.

Center CJ Deausen fielded an errant Union kick in the try zone to close the gap to five with a little over 10 minutes to play, but Union was able to hold on for the five-point victory.

Rutgers will make their Mid-Atlantic Premier League debut at home next Friday against Navy.