BYU WINS 2012 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
BYU captain Ryan Roundy holds up the trophy after their national championship victory over Arkansas State. (Courtesy Brian Nicholson, Deseret News)
Sandy, UT–The BYU Cougars won their 2nd national championship tonight at Rio Tinto Stadium over Arkansas State by the score of 49-42.
Despite a slow start that saw the Cougars down 8-0 in the opening moments of the game the BYU players were able to claw their way back to tie up the match in the 11th minute after flanker Kumi Tua’one barreled over for the Cougars opening try.
BYU was able to score again quickly to take the lead after a quick 22 meter drop out by scrumhalf Shaun Davies that saw him set the BYU attack loose and leave freshman fullback Tua Laei to score following a strong run from center Paul Lasike.
In what proved to be the order to the game, the Red Wolves from Arkansas State wouldn’t roll over and kept coming back. And in the 21st minute ASU would score to tie the game again at 15-15.
But BYU’s forwards would take over and offer the momentum for Davies and wing Will Taylor to finish the half with scores in the 32nd and 35th minutes respectively.
Two tough conversions by Davies made it 29-15 to BYU at the break.
ASU would start the second with a penalty in the 41st minute following a penalty on BYU from the 2nd half restart, but a clean BYU break from flyhalf Dylan Lubbe, would offer Lasike his lone try on the game in the 48th minute.
On cue however, the Red Wolves revived their attack and would score in the 52nd minute only to be countered by a Davies penalty.
With the penalty goal going into the final quarter of the game BYU led 39-23.
The highlight of the game came as the Cougars were pressuring again with their forwards and Davies deftly pop to prop and eventual match-MVP Mikey Su’a who ran over an ASU defender and lunge for the short range try in the 61st minute.
The score pushed the lead to BYU to 46-23, but ASU wouldn’t stop probing for scoring opportunities.
A pair of Red Wolves tries in the 65th and 70th minutes brought them to within 11, but a Davies penalty gave the Cougars the cushion to hold on for the win.
An injury time try by ASU would round out the scoring for a final score of 49-42.
“We’ve worked all year for this,” said match MVP Mikey Su’a, “This is what all the hard work was for and to go out as a senior with a national championship means everything. I’m proud of our team.”
BYU head coach David Smyth shared his prop’s sentiment.
“This was a great win,” Smyth said, “We certainly kept it entertaining for all the fans but in the end our guys did what they needed to do to win and I’m proud of our guys for the hard work. They earned this tonight and I couldn’t be happier for them.”
The Cougars finish the season with a perfect 17-0 record, a Western Conference Title, the Wasatch Cup and bring the program’s 2nd National Championship to Provo.
BYU’s momentous victory over the Red Wolves will be rebroadcast on ESNPU May 22nd at 5pm MT and can be viewed online on-demand at ESPN3.
To follow the Cougars’ championship events go to Facebook and Twitter.
BYU 1st XV vs. Life
- Mikey Su’a
- Ishmael Tilialo (Joey Mount @ 58′)
- Ray Forrester
- TJ Allred (Mark Bonham @ 65′)
- Kyle Sumsion
- Kumi Tua’one (Braden Bair @ 65′)
- Hynie Leaaetoa (Scott Gowdy @ 65′)
- Ryan Roundy ©
- Shaun Davies
- Dylan Lubbe
- Jordan Lowry (Malosi Te’o @ 48′)
- Seki Kofe (Chris Wernli @ 58′)
- Paul Lasike
- Will Taylor
- Tua Laei (Austin Allred @ 71′)
SCORING
BYU 49
Tries: Tua’one 11′; Laei 14′; Davies 37′; Taylor 35′; Lasike 48′; Su’a 61′
Conversions: Davies 5/6 (14′, 32′, 35′, 48′,61′)
Penalties: Davies 3/3 (8′, 56′, 75′)
ASU 42
Tries: ASU 5′, 21′, 52′, 65′, 70′, 80′
Conversions: ASU 3/6 (21′, 70′, 80′)
Penalties: Cowley 2/3 (2′, 41′)
Attendance: 8,733
Referee: Aruna Ranaweera
Great win by the BYU Rugby team! Awesome offensive performance all around. USA Rugby should be commended for an awesome venue and, finally, a really good referee. The only negative note was the defensive performance at some points during the gam. BYU’s deep 3, especially Will Taylor, need to learn to tackle better.
But, a win is a win! Congratulations BYU Rugby! 2012 National Champions!
I don’t know about “really good referee”. He missed a few obvious knock-on’s that lead to scores where BYU should have gotten the ball back instead.
What an exciting, fast paced game. The next step for Cougar Rugby: defense! Some missed tackles, not challenging enough for the ball at the breakdown, poor discipline resulting in penalties for diving over, coming in from the side. So important for the players to know the laws, and show discipline! Our offense is great, fantastic attack, mostly great support of the tackled player, very athletic big men.
Last thing: line outs? wow, gotta get those shored up!
Hate to be a hater, but I want to see lots more trophies, and when we have to re-tool next year with the loss of some big time players, ie. Davies, Su’a, Roundy, Forrester, Leaaetoa, Lubbe, Te’o, Tilialo–over half the starters. A new, young team has to focus more on the fundamentals rather than rely on the talent and physical gifts that this team is so blessed with.
Congrats guys, enjoy the great accomplishment!
It is great to see the success of the team. But please note that an error is being propagated. This is not BYU’s second national title but it’s third. The 1973 team finished the year 25-0 and defeated the defending national champions, Cal State, Santa Barbara. In those days there was no title match but the champion was voted, ala football. The current team is establishing an incredible record and tradition but please give due to those who went before. John Seggar should be recognized as the champion’s coach that he is and that he is the one who put BYU Rugby on the map first.
Thanks.
Don — where do you get your info? The first official National Collegiate Championship series began in 1980.
Michael,
I understand Don as saying that prior to this series that started in 1980, the national title was determined differently, and BYU also came out on top then. Go Cougars!