Ripples of of excitement hit the Red Wolves camp after a wave of joy filled the atmosphere, following the hard fought Elite 8 game against San Diego State. Arkansas State who were the underdogs going into Saturdays game, were well determined to defeat the Aztecs after echoes of encouragement were received from supporters and fans at the game and all those watching live online. 

The Red Wolves started off the half on the wrong foot letting the Aztecs draw first blood to take the drivers seat with a 5-0 lead. The tide changed shortly after when the pack tied their shoes laces together to beautifully orchestrate a driving maul that saw Shaun Potgieter score the equalizer. ASU carried on the momentum when a backline play setup Danie Swanepoel for a briliant try putting the Red Wolves at 10-5 going into the break.

An inspiring speech from Coach Matt Huckaby at the break might have sparked the squad to open the second half with a converted try bringing the lead to a 12 point deficit. However, another yellow card to the team let the foot off the gas for the Red Wolves who held the Aztecs with the longest goal line stance, before finally giving away 5 points. The game ended with the exchange of blows until the final whistle that saw ASU come out victorious over an extremely good opponent in San Diego State. Final score was 17-10.

" Its a good weekend for the team and we're looking forward to Stanford," were the simple sentiments of captain Nardus Wessels after Saturday's game. 

It looks like its going to be another Redwolves vs Aztecs game after Arkansas State defeated our sweet sixteen rivals St. Marys California in a closely contested match.  

The game against St. Mary saw a very impressive start from our boys as they hit the ground running, raking in 17 points that were answered by a 3 point penalty kick to SMC going into the break. However, a late yellow card to inside center Roland Evans gave an opportunity for SMC to capitalize on having an extra man and run in 2 tries that brought the game to 17-13. Clever footwork through the Gaels defence by Outside center saw ASU extend their lead by a try under the posts bringing the score to 22-13. But as the game approached the dying minutes, guns were blazing from both sides with ASU striving to hold their lead and the Gaels throwing the kitchen sink at the might of the Red Wolves defence.

A few goal line stances later, the Gaels finally bring the game to 22-18 with a nerve wrecking try in the corner. The Jonesboro ruggers had to pick up their guard and regain composure, inorder to send Dean Gericke in for his second try in what seemed to everyone as the final nail to the coffin. But in every ounce of effort they had left, the Gaels responded with a last minute consolation try that wasn’t enough to take the win from the ASU Red Wolves pack.

The final score of 29-23 gives Arkansas State an invitation to the Elite 8 against the San Diego State Aztecs who beat Bowling Green.

Once again, the South Championship trophy makes it way back to Jonesboro, AR as spoils of an intense game of rugby. The arch rivals Tennessee Vols and Arkansas State Rugby were at it again for the title of “South Division 1 Champions.”

American rugby news - Arkansas State will be the top seed from the South in the Round of 16 for the third straight year after a 35-14 victory over Tennessee in Sunday’s conference final.

It was 21-0 to the Red Wolves at halftime and although UT made a spirited comeback in the second frame, ASU held on for an emphatic win.

 The game was played in sloppy conditions in Murfreesboro, TN, yet despite that both teams turned in some wide open attacking rugby.

Arkansas State pinned UT in its own end through the first quarter of the game and used that territorial advantage to post three tries.

 “I tell you what, Tennessee has a good program,” Arkansas State head coach Matt Huckaby told ARN.

“It’s nice to win, we love playing Tennessee and I’m pretty thrilled.”

 The Volunteers struck early in the second half to make a game of it, but having closed the gap to 21-14 with two unanswered tries, UT couldn’t find a way to keep the momentum going.

The flipside was that after being scored on twice and in quick time, ASU was stung into action and lifted things a notch to score two final tries themselves and clinch the seed they’d set their sights on prior to the weekend.

ASU try-scorers included [Paul Raath], Dean Gericke, Roland Evans, David Caswell, Caleb Gragg, Clint Whittler and Shaun Potgieter.

"Not disappointed at all," said Tennessee head coach Butch Robertson. "We're excited, we're in the Round of 16 again."

Volunteer try-scorers were Nick Evans and Mason Howard.

Arkansas State will make the trip to the West Coast to compete in the Santa Barbara bracket of the national playoffs, while Tennessee will go to Atlanta as South #2.

Arkansas State was met with a high spirited South Carolina Team and very determined and physical team. They came with a solid game plan and were very physical in the breakdowns offensively.

Arkansas State came out functioning on all cylinders and played physical as well exploiting the Gamecocks weaknesses. With strong defense and a very fast offense the Gamecocks could not retaliate or ever get anything going against the Redwolves.

Clint Whittler had an outstanding game dotting down 3 tries and setting up a 100 meter try that was capped off by David Caswell. Other tries were noted by Caleb Gragg, Matt Guest, Nardus Wessels, Kevin Ryan, Steyn Benade. The Redwolves leading 40-3 at half never took there foot off the gas. Despite the flurry of substitutions, the replacements also kept up the standard and the game plan which the team really focused on during a rigorous spring break training camp.

Over the break, Coach Matt Huckaby conducted and orchestrated a solid game plan and pattern that the Red wolves executed wonderfully in there first leg of the South Playoffs. Now Coach Matt and his Red wolves set to prepare for tomorrow for the South finals where they will face their rival Tennessee Volunteers who defeated University of Florida in a nail-biting, down to the wire game with a finish of 13-10 in favor of the Volunteers. 

The winner of the Arkansas State V Tennessee Game will not only crown the South Division Champs but will also determine the National Playoffs Seeding of South 1 and South 2 for the Sweet 16 tournament  April 16,17.