Tennessee Advances to USA Rugby Elite Eight!
Volunteers Eliminated by Defending National Champs

April 16, 2005- (Berkeley, CA) - The University of Tennessee Men's Rugby Club made a second appearance in as many years in the USA Rugby National Tournament on April 16 and 17 in Berkeley, California. UT earned the birth in the Sweet Sixteen Tournament by winning the USA Rugby South Championship. Tennessee finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record that included wins over Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Middle Tennessee State, and North Carolina.

A travel party that totaled 53 made the trip including 46 players, 3 coaches, a trainer, and two Old Boys. Additionally, several others made the trip to support the club including family of players Josh Peay, Brett & Thad Jones, Scott & Doug Smith, and Brian Panasuk. Old Boy Steve Powell dropped by to provide his support on Sunday since he's now living in the San Francisco area.

Pool A of the USA Rugby National Championship Tournament featured The University of California- Berkeley (Pacific #1), The University of Minnesota (MidWest #2), Dartmouth College (Northeast #2), and The University of Tennessee (South #1).

The club arrived on Thursday evening and used Friday for training and a walk through prior to some afternoon sight seeing that included Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. After player check in and eligibility confirmation, the entire group attended an Oakland As baseball game.

Tennessee 35, Dartmouth 25
UT overcame an unproductive and unlucky first half to knock off Dartmouth to advance to the next round of the USA Rugby Sweet 16 National Championship Tournament. After trailing 11-15 at the half, the men in orange and white scored four tries in the second half to secure the win 35-25. (Match Summary)

Tennessee 3, California- Berkeley 65
Tennessee Advanced to the USA Rugby Elite Eight and earned the opportunity to square off with the defending national champions, the Cal Golden Bears. Cal proved every much as formidable as anticipated as they used their size, speed, and depth to race to a 65-3 victory. Oh, and they were fresh as well since Cal used reserve players in defeating Minnesota on the previous day 71-17. (Match Summary)