Outlaws roll in home opener, face SU tomorrow

Two games into its season in Division I, the men's rugby team is one victory away from being in first place in the Premier Division I Standings.

The only obstacle for first place is this Saturday's showdown at home against Syracuse, the 2008 New York State Division I Champion currently ranked No. 21 on erugbynews.com.

In the past two springs, the Outlaws have lost twice to the Hammerheads.

"The first spring it was like, wow this is a really good team," junior Ben Atkinson said. "Then, last spring, they were good, but we thought we could beat them. And now, we're all going into this game knowing we definitely have a chance."

The Hammerheads feature eight players over 225 pounds, four of whom weigh in over 250.

The size advantage goes to Syracuse, but the Outlaws are not scared.

"We got to hit them before they start, and move them all over the place," junior Will Atkinson said. "We can't let them get going and start hitting us."

Coach Clarence Picard said crisp tackles are going to play a big part in the outcome.

"We've got to tackle the guy to the ground the first time we get a chance, Picard said. "We need to force them to go through their phases and not allow them to go from player to player.

"Once Syracuse gets going downhill, they are impossible to stop, so we need to stop them right away," he said.

While the Hammerhead's big men strengthen the team, senior captain Charlie Specht was quick to point out the Outlaws are no toothpicks.

"Listen, they might be big, but it's not like we don't have any big guys, either. We don't go to matches smaller than everyone," he said.

Ben Atkinson added to that point. "Our big guys can move against other team's smaller guys," he said. "Most teams just have these big brutes who don't move around very well."

The strategy for tomorrow's match is to move fast and hit hard. Specht said it is necessary for two Outlaws to be in on a tackle at all times, as Syracuse is big and likes to offload.

Offloading is a close distance lateral while being tackled, meaning the ball is staying in their possession.

Picard said the team needs to find a weakness and exploit it immediately.

"We want to get into the kicking game and into the backs to see where there is a weakness, and then attack those areas," Picard said.

Playing the big name opponent at home is something new for the Outlaws. It is something Picard hopes brings fans from all over.

"For the first time, we're getting a home match against a name opponent," he said. "We're hoping we get a big response from fans and the whole community."

Based on attendance for the likes of Binghamton, the Outlaws should be aided by a rowdy home crowd.

"The crowd is great," Specht said. "But, when you're playing up 30 or 40 points, they can get out of it. Last year, when we had the close game against the Coast Guard, our fans were unbelievable. I think it's the harder the game, the harder the fans go."

In the home opener last Saturday, the Outlaws defeated Binghamton 41-5 in a match that was never close.

Senior Darren Kmicinski received man of the match honors with 19 points. He had one try, two penalties and four conversions.

Continuing his early season success, senior Mark Hanna recorded a try of his own, bringing his tally to three, after recording two in the season opener at Buffalo.

Binghamton, however, is the past. Today, the only team on the minds of Bonaventure ruggers is Syracuse.