After losing back-to-back regular season games for the first time since 2017, the #10 Penn State men's rugby team (4-2, 3-2) look to get back into the win column on Saturday when they travel to Annapolis, MD to take on #5 Navy (6-0, 2-0 Mid-South).
Navy is coming off of a 55-0 thrashing of conference foe #24 Clemson. The Midshipmen have made light work of many of their opponents so far this season, averaging 46.8 points per game while holding opponents to an average of 13 ppg. Their best result so far on the season was a 26-22 win over #7 Kutztown back on September 21.
The Nittany Lions are coming off of a loss to another Mid-South member in Davenport. The Panthers started hot right out of the gate, scoring three tries and taking a 19-0 lead within the first 19 minutes. After a halftime score of 34-5, Penn State improved by playing the second half in 12-17 fashion to lose by a final score of 51-17.
The last meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Midshipmen was back in November 2017, when Navy was able to come out of a very physical battle with a 38-29 victory. The last four matches played between the two are split 2-2.
"Looking forward for another opportunity for the team to perform this weekend, none of us were happy with how we traveled and played last week and with another quality mid-south opponent in Navy this week, it is another test for the team," said head coach Justin Hundley. "We have trained well this week and look forward to the challenge."
Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at the USNA Rugby Fields. There will be a 2nd XV game as well, following the completion of the first match.