2008 Woodie Awards
Rugby falls to Utah in Regional final
OSU beats Chico State in dramatic fashion Friday but falls one win short of nationals
Thomas De Vicq
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: Sports
After a strong defensive showing by both clubs to start the match, Utah took control with a flurry, scoring 15 points in a five-minute span to knock the Beavers on their heels. The Utes added one more score to go into halftime up 24-0.
During the second half, both defenses knuckled down, with Utah coming up with several defensive stands while backed deep into their own territory.
Throughout the match, however, the Beavers' effort never waned. As the team did in its previous match the day before, OSU made it over the goal line on the final play of the game, with the clock already expired. McQuillen's kick was wide right, but this time the game and season were no longer on the line, and the final score stood at 29-5 in favor of Utah.
McShane was proud of his players' efforts.
"We showed a lot of character by not giving up, especially against Chico," McShane said.
McQuillen, a graduate student in the MBA program, agrees and has seen that character build up over the year.
"Earlier in the season, and even last year, we sometimes didn't have the will to win," McQuillen. "We did better than I ever imagined."
As one of only five seniors - who have now used up their eligibility - along with 18 freshmen on the team, McQuillen initially thought this might be a rebuilding year.
"We lost 80 percent of our guys from last year and pretty much had a whole new team," McQuillen said. "I'm extremely proud of our guys."
One area McShane would like to see improvement in is the strength and stamina of his players, which is why conditioning and strength training for next season begin in three weeks.
Noting that his team acquired a number of freshmen this year and has been receiving calls from interested high school seniors, McShane is already looking toward next season. "The youth of the program is the future, and it looks bright for us," McShane said.
During the second half, both defenses knuckled down, with Utah coming up with several defensive stands while backed deep into their own territory.
Throughout the match, however, the Beavers' effort never waned. As the team did in its previous match the day before, OSU made it over the goal line on the final play of the game, with the clock already expired. McQuillen's kick was wide right, but this time the game and season were no longer on the line, and the final score stood at 29-5 in favor of Utah.
McShane was proud of his players' efforts.
"We showed a lot of character by not giving up, especially against Chico," McShane said.
McQuillen, a graduate student in the MBA program, agrees and has seen that character build up over the year.
"Earlier in the season, and even last year, we sometimes didn't have the will to win," McQuillen. "We did better than I ever imagined."
As one of only five seniors - who have now used up their eligibility - along with 18 freshmen on the team, McQuillen initially thought this might be a rebuilding year.
"We lost 80 percent of our guys from last year and pretty much had a whole new team," McQuillen said. "I'm extremely proud of our guys."
One area McShane would like to see improvement in is the strength and stamina of his players, which is why conditioning and strength training for next season begin in three weeks.
Noting that his team acquired a number of freshmen this year and has been receiving calls from interested high school seniors, McShane is already looking toward next season. "The youth of the program is the future, and it looks bright for us," McShane said.
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