|
Rutgers' side vs TCNJ, which consisted mostly of seniors, came away with a 39-7 win.
Scoring started in the eighth minute when lock Mike Acciani scored off a 20 meter quick tap offload by flyhalf Kamil Ryzcko. Rutgers scored again off a quick tap when lock Jeff Spychala touched down after two quick rucks seven minutes later.
Rutgers extended their lead when, in the 31st minute, Ryzcko broke the line after scooping up a loose ball and offloaded to prop John Mercer who advanced 30 meters and dished to wing Chris Jones, who took the ball another 20 meters and offloaded to flanker Mike Dilallo five meters out for the score. Fullback Chris Joseph converted for a 17-0 scoreline.
Second half scoring began when Mercer picked a ball off a ruck from midfield and took it the distance in the 45th minute. Joseph converted the kick to make it 24-0 Rutgers. TCNJ took advantage of a fourteen-man Rutgers and scored a try off a scrum 10 meters out in the 55th minute. TCNJ's eightman picked to the weak-side and took the ball in for the score and their kicker converted.
Rutgers returned the favor in the 67th minute when hooker Ben Hockin scored off a penalty play, taking advantage of an earlier TCNJ yellow card. Rutgers punched in another in the 73rd when replacement hooker Ian Crosby scored off a quick tap 10 meters out to make it 34-7.
Scrumhalf Kyle Dizeo rounded out scoring in the 78th, diving into the corner off a ruck near the goal line.
Rutgers' projected starting lineup for the fall took on SUNY Brockport in the second game and came out with a hard fought 8-3 win. The game was a defensive affair with only one try between the two sides.
Defense was of prime importance for Rutgers who, by the 25th minute, had two players in the bin: inside center CJ Deausen in the 22th minute for repeated offsides and outside center Tom Behrens in the 24th for the same.
Despite being two men down, Rutgers scored first with a Johannes Cronje penalty kick in the 31st minute. Brockport retorted five minutes later with a penalty kick of their own.
With stout defense from both sides and wet conditions marring both teams' offensive endeavors, neither team was able to put points on the board for another 44 minutes.
But in 75th minute, the try line was finally crossed with Rutgers being the beneficiary. Prop Jeff Mercer touched down after Rutgers stole a Brockport lineout five meters out and hooker and captain Bryan Blutstein picked the ball and fell just short of the line.
Fortunately for Rutgers, Mercer was there to pick up the ball and ground it for the eventual game winner.
