Last weekend, Allied Rugby Conference teams just could not catch a break. Texas Tech could not travel to Norman, OK due to travel restrictions based on inclement weather by their university. Sam Houston's pitch was over-watered by the university (didn't this happen last year to Tech?). Baylor was fortunate in that they had a bye week. Both matches are already rescheduled for the ARC's built-in make-up date, March 22.
This weekend, fair weather has returned to the ArkLaTexOma and matches will be played.
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| Jayce Crowder (AKA Ell Tee) |
Baylor makes the trip to Norman, OK to take on the Sooners. The Sooners are 2-0 in non-conference play this spring after blanking TCU 30-0 and taking their bedlam to the Cowboys in Stillwater winning 62-8. While the Sooners have a strong squad that is "All-In", they have had to fill some gaps due to graduation and academic commitments. Baylor has quietly downed TCU (29-5) and Rice (20-11) this spring. While those are not blowout scores, it represents the major steps that Coach Nick Lane has taken with what is a relatively young team. The Bears may not be favored to win this weekend, but they certainly seemed to have turned their defensive structures around from last year. This may be the challenge that the Sooners need to face. Baylor's steady climb as a club and OU's rise to power definitely represent the benefits of being ARC members.
Texas A&M is coming off a tough 21-17 win over the Hilltoppers of St Edward's. This weekend, the Aggies travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas to face
the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. The Aggies have not yet had the better of the Red Wolves and with players still adjusting to new positions after 12 Aggie ruggers graduated last spring, they have a tough row to hoe on Saturday. Coach Brett Mills has shifted several players around in his pack in order to play to A&M's strengths, especially depth at lock and flanker. However, he seems to have found a gem in Texas A&M Rugby's Club President, Grayson Dowlearn. Dowlearn played in the pack most of his days under Mills at St. Thomas HS. However, extreme depth at flanker last season forced Mills to try Dowlearn out on the wing. The youngster did not disappoint. Dowlearn proved his worth against St Ed's by garnering a brace and preventing the Hilltoppers from reaching in-goal on two occasions. The Aggies will require this type of on-field leadership and more when they get to Jonesboro.
