CHARLOTTE, N.C. The American International College men's rugby squad completed an undefeated regular season, once again earning the East Coast Rugby Conference crown, and is set to battle Clemson University on Saturday as part of the ACRC Bowl Series from the Rugby Athletic Center.
AIC repeated as ECRC Champs and will once again make a Bowl appearance after defeating Bowling Green University, 46-40, last fall. The Tigers make it a three-peat by claiming the Atlantic Coast Rugby League title after dropping Virginia Tech, 52-12, this past weekend.
"Last year was a great experience for us, Bowling Green was a great team, but I believe we left points on the board" mentioned senior wing Deshae Edwards. "Playing a bigger and more athletic team like Clemson we have to leave it all out there."
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE: Both squads enter this weekend after finishing undefeated in their respective conference with Clemson finishing 7-1 overall and the Yellow Jackets concluded at 9-0. Over the last two seasons neither team has lost a conference match, but have struggled with outside competition as AIC dropped a tough friendly contest to Kutztown last year and Clemson has been dealt defeats at the hands of Navy and Life University over the previous two autumns.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER: Both teams also haven't had a problem scoring this season as the Tigers average 44 points per game and have outscored their opponents 352-93 while the Jackets put up 77.78 points per contest and have upended their competition 700-110. Safe to say this could be a shootout and whoever possesses the ball at the end could walk away the victor.
As is often the case with these games the Yellow Jackets will be in the underdog role once again playing for the respect they deserve against a big school from a power conference. Even though American International is back atop the Goff Rugby Report rankings as the No. 1 team in the nation, they embrace the underdog feel to a Clemson squad who slides in at No. 9.
"When we feel like it's us against the world, that's when you see an AIC team that is willing to go the extra mile for one another" commented Edwards.
"No matter whom the guys are on the field, you can bet our school can be proud of them" exclaimed head coach Josh Macy. "If we take our opportunities to improve and stick to our beliefs, we'll be happy with how the semester ends."
Game time is slated for 4:50 p.m. on Saturday November 21st and could be a battle for the final number 1 ranking. With a lopsided Clemson win the Tigers could leap into the #1 position as is the same case for AIC holding onto that top spot, but a Yellow Jacket win in a sloppy performance could see them relinquish their position ahead of the rest.
Needless-to-say this could be one of the most excited AIC teams ever and one of the biggest matches in the history of the program as they'll use their big heart to continue to prove themselves as more than just a small school.
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