Although divisional matches for the 2011-2012 season have concluded, there is still plenty of Rugby to be played.  Practice resumes this Tuesday, January 10 at 6pm in the Cook Pavilion.  Any students interested in playing should show up to practice or contact us here for more information. 

Stay tuned throughout the preseason for schedule updates to come.

Despite the Fall 15's season coming to an end, the team has continued to practice throughout the off season.  This week, Nebraska heard from USA Rugby for an invitation to the Collegiate 7's National Championship.  Unfortunately, because of the timing, the Husker ruggers are unable to attend.  The tournament, which begins on December 16, interferes with key dates at UNL including final exams and December graduation.

Although the 15's season was not ideal, Nebraska is proud of their showing this past year in 7's Rugby, the newest Olympic sport.  The team looks forward to further improvement and better performance in the coming year, in hopes of earning another invitation during the 2012 Fall season.

After a good start to the season, Nebraska dropped the last five games.  A young team and the loss of a couple players to injury contributed to the rough ending, but poor team play and lousy defense seemed to be the staple of Nebraska's troubles.  The Huskers had several opportunities in each match to score, but often would lose momentum inside the opposition 22 meter line, giving up the ball with panicked play and a lack of discipline.  A long off-season will allow for some much needed tune-ups in strategy and technique. 

Thanks to all who support Husker Rugby.  UNL looks to make good use of this off-season with hard work and big recruitment.  You can see the Results of the season here.

With a slow start, going down 24-0 in the first 20 minutes, Nebraska dug too deep a hole to come back from.  Despite several large breaks down field, UNL was unable to finish when they came within 10 meters of the tryline, and their momentum was killed by a stiff Minnesota defense.  Despite being down 29-0 at half, Nebraska came out strong in the second half, putting up three tries in the first 15 minutes to put the score at 29-17 in favor of Minnesota.  The score remained until the 70th minute when Minnesota was able to put up another try, followed by three more in the final minutes to improve their score to 51.

The Nebraska Rugby team traveled to Wisconsin for two league matches this weekend, and fell short in both.  Traveling with only one of their six front row players, UNL began the weekend in Menomonie against the University of Wisconsin - Stout. 

Nebraska took an early lead over UW - Stout, going up 12-5 with tries from rookie Zac Ross and Eric Hagen.  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 more tries,  two from winger Andy Markham and another by Hagen.  With one minute left in the match, UNL was pressuring again.  Unfortunately, another penalty proved 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 with a final score:  Nebraska - 31.  UW - Stout - 36

On Sunday Nebraska traveled to Madison to take on the University of Wisconsin.  The Badgers took it to the Huskers early and never let up.  An extremely strong Wisconsin forward pack pushed Nebraska around throughout the match, and poor tackling allowed for numerous Badger tries.  Nebraska fell to Wisconsin by a score of 76-0. 

Having lost both matches, UNL now faces a major setback in the division standings.  We will see how the team responds to this hindrance  in the coming weeks.  Next week Nebraska will host the University of Minnesota at Fleming Field in a rematch from last October's loss in Minneapolis. 

After years of getting stomped by the Alumni, including a 70-34 loss in 2010, UNL was finally able to snap their ten year losing streak with a close victory.

The Nebraska pack was no match for the Old Boys, who drove in several mauls, including one from over 20 meters out, on their way to six tries in the match.  Unfortunately, the Alumni speed was not in town and the Husker backline was able to put the ball over the line six times.  Thanks to some good conversion kicking from Rookie Hank Kafonek, UNL was able to escape with a narrow victory.

Check out the Merchandise page to find our new items.  We now have posters available for sale and two new t-shirt designs for the Fall 2011 season!

Nebraska kicked off League play this week in front of a good home crowd on Vine Street Field.  Hosting the University of Northern Iowa Panthers, the match was a back-and-forth struggle throughout its entirety.  UNL held a narrow lead at halftime, but the Panthers came out strong in the second half to tie the match up at 22 a piece with about 25 minutes remaining.  From here, the Huskers kicked into high gear, putting in four more tries and stiffening up defensively to go on to win 46-22.  This was UNL's first division win and the team earned a bonus point in the standings for their 7 tries.  Next week is the annual Alumni match at 12:00pm at Fleming Field.  Then, the Huskers will travel to Wisconsin on the 15th & 16th for back-to-back league matches with the University of Wisconsin - Stout and UW - Madison.

Showing up with another offensive surge, Nebraska put up a volley of tries against the Topeka Wizards Men's club in their last match before league play.  Jake Bruyette led the offensive attack, putting the ball over the line five times himself, and Nebraska held on to the shut out through most of the match before Topeka was able to break the line for two late tries.  This match marked the last non-league match of the season (not counting the Alumni match on October 8).  The Huskers look ahead to next week where they will host the University of Northern Iowa Panthers on Vine Street Field at 1:00pm.

In an offensive explosion, Nebraska spread the ball around to get seven different Huskers over the line for a total of 14 tries against UNK.  Rookies Donovan Allen, Lou Cubrich, and Hank Kafonek were among those crossing the tryline, accounting for five of the team's tries.  After a 55-0 lead at halftime, the Huskers would go on to put up another five tries en route to an 86-7 victory.  UNK did not give up though, and was able to power in a late try following an offside penalty on UNL.

Nebraska faces off against Topeka next week in Kansas before beginning league play at home against Northern Iowa on October 1st.