Madison, WI

UNL:  22     Penn State:  7
UNL:  7       Minnesota:  27
UNL:  17     Michigan St:  10
UNL:  0       Wisconsin:  28
UNL:  7       Iowa:  22

In the opening match of the tournament, UNL came out strong with a victory over CRC team Penn State: 22-7.  Trying out some players at new positions, the team then lost the second match of pool play against the University of Minnesota.  UNL recovered in the next match however, with a dominating performance over Michigan State, before falling to the tournament champs Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals.  
In the third place match, UNL faced the University of Iowa with five starters on the sideline, hurting from a long day of Rugby.  Still, UNL showed up and played a strong match, but eventually fell to Iowa and took 4th place in the tournament

Fleming Field

UNL struck first with an early try by Andy Markham.  However, the GOATS struck right back, mauling in a lineout after a Husker penalty.  Due to lightning, the match was then moved indoors to the Cook Pavilion, where the final 70 minutes were played. Highlighted by hard runs, strong rucks, and big hits from both sides of the ball, the game came to an end in favor of Omaha.  Although defense was solid throughout the majority of the match, the team could not generate any offensive momentum, and were outscored 15-0 in the second half.

The Huskers preceeded the GOATS match with a B side against Wayne State University.  Many UNL rookies played their first match of Rugby against a heavy WSU side, falling by a score of 41-7.

Tries:  Markham, Franti
Conversions:  Bender - 1/1

Fleming Field

After a dominant first half by the much larger Black squad, Red came crawling back with fitness and speed in the second half.  With the deficit being 28 - 7 at half, the Red team, led by rookie Shaun Erwin, outscored Lucas Wood's Black team 24 - 5 up until the last play of the match.  Red almost completed their comeback in the final moments, pressing up within a meter of the tryline.  However, a turnover led to a breakaway for Black as rookie Tony Sawaged took the ball 99 meters for a try to end the match.  

Tries:  Cubrich (2), Hagen (5), Kafonek (2), Sawaged, Waqalaivi
Conversions:  Hagen - 2/2, Kafonek - 3/5, Wickstrom - 2/4

Fleming Field

In an offensive explosion, Nebraska put up 55 points in the first half, spreading the ball around to get several players over the line.  Rookies Hank Kafonek and Lou Cubrich both touched the ball down twice, while Donovan Allen broke the line late in the match, going 80 meters for his first career try.

UNL gave up a try after an offsides penalty late in the match, but it was the only points the Huskers would allow as the defense stiffened up and retained their big lead.


Tries:  Allen, Bender, Bruyette (2), Cubrich (2), Hagen (4), Kafonek (2), Markham (2)
Conversions:  Kafonek - 8/11, Wickstrom - 0/3

Topeka, KS

The Huskers' strong offensive season continued against the Wizards in Topeka as UNL put the ball down over the try-line 11 times. 

With help from a strong outing by Man of the Match Jake Bruyette, who put up five tries himself, the rest of the Husker team spread the ball around well to keep constant pressure on Topeka.  The defense held well, allowing only two tries late in the second half for another huge Nebraska win.

Tries:  Bender, Bruyette (5), Hagen (2), Kafonek (2), Markham
Conversions:  Markham - 6/11

Vine Street Field

In front of a large home crowd, Nebraska hosted a back-and-forth struggle against Northern Iowa.
Holding on to a narrow lead at halftime, UNL started slow in the second half, giving up two scores and allowing the match to be tied at 22.  With about 25 minutes remaining however, the Huskers offense began to roll and the defense stiffened, as the team finished the remainder of the match outscoring the Panthers 24-0.

The victory gave Nebraska their first division win as well as a bonus point in the standings for scoring 4+ tries.

Tries:  Bender, Erwin, Hagen (2), Markham, Ross, Wood
Penalties:  Markham - 1/2
Conversions:  Markham - 4/6

Fleming Field

The UNL Men were able to hold off the Old Boys in a tight match to finally break their losing streak, which dates back to 2000. 

The Alumni forward pack drove in several mauls, including one from nearly 20 meters out to score six tries against the young Huskers.  The UNL Men however, used the backline to put in all six of their tries.  Thanks to rough winds taking away some kicks from the Old Boys, UNL was able to come out ahead - this year.

Tries:  Hagen (5), Kafonek
Conversions:  Kafonek - 4/6

Menomonie, WI

Nebraska took an early lead over UW - Stout, going up 12-5 in the first ten minutes of play.  For the next 40 minutes however, the Huskers were silenced by multiple penalties, all of which were taken advantage of by Stout.  With twenty minutes left in the match, Nebraska trailed by a score of 36-12. 

Despite the large deficit, UNL came clawing back, putting up three quick tries.  With one minute left in the match, UNL was pressuring again.  Unfortunately, another penalty turned costly as the Huskers turned the ball over to Stout, who were able to end the match with a kick to touch and secure their victory.

Tries:  Hagen (2), Markham (2), Ross
Conversions:  Kafonek - 3/5

Madison, WI

The Badgers took it to the Huskers early and never let up. 

An extremely strong Wisconsin forward pack pushed Nebraska around throughout the match, dominating nearly every breakdown.  This, coupled with poor tackling all around by the Huskers, allowed for a huge win for the Badgers on their home field.

Fleming Field

 The Huskers, facing some key injuries from veterans, experimented with a new line-up and it looked for a moment like it may pay off.  Despite giving up 24 points in the first 20 minutes, Nebraska stiffened on defense. 

Down 29-0 at half, the Huskers fought back, scoring 17 straight and making it a 12 point match with ten minutes remaining.  From here, Minnesota regained control of the match, putting in 22 points in the final ten minutes, and beating Nebraska by a large margin.

Tries: Bruyette, Markham (2)
Conversions: Kafonek - 1/3

Fleming Field

Iowa State took the lead early and never let it go.  Combined with several penalties, the Nebraska defense was cut up repeatedly by Iowa State, who cruised to a convincing victory.

Tries: Markham, Kafonek, Selting 
Conversions: Kafonek - 1/2

Iowa City, IA

After a close start, tied 5-5 through 20 minutes, Iowa began pulling away.  The stronger Iowa pack overpowered Nebraska the entire game.  The Hawkeyes used powerful play around the ruck to suck in the Nebraska defense, then exposed the Huskers on the outside for several tries.  Although Nebraska did have many scoring opportunities within 10 meters, they often destroyed their momentum with knock-ons, penalties, and turnovers, often leading to 5 points for Iowa.

Several Husker players were forced to play out of position due to some injuries, which perhaps contributed to some confusion, and Iowa was able to expose this repeatedly on their way to the try line. 

Tries: Wood
Conversions: Kafonek - 0/1