For the third time in two years, IUP has won a national championship in rugby, this time stepping up in class to the 15-player division from the 7-man variety.
IUP fell behind 12-0 but stormed back to beat the University of Memphis, 27-19, yesterday at SaberCat Stadium in Houston, Texas. Down two scores, IUP struck back on scores by Lucas Maasikas and Cam Taylor just before halftime. Memphis scored again to retake the lead in the second half but working with a two-man advantage following two Tigers penalties, IUP’s power play went to work, scoring twice in short order. Dom Holmes and Trent Stalling both scored and then Hayden Kovalick rounded out the scoring to set the final at 27-19.
Holmes was named finals MVP.
IUP won two 7s national titles last year and were 15s runners-up last year.
The team will arrive back in Indiana this afternoon and fans are invited to line the street to welcome them. They will be here between 2:30 and 3:00 with a police escort, presumably traveling up Philadelphia Street.
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