2024-8-31 Notre Dame Rugby vs. Western Michigan University

St AB last go [Music] [Music] [Music] second oh [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] talk [Music] [Music] B the University of M Ry program welcomes you to S Ry field for today's match between another game and resolution [Music] go [Music] [Music] he today's match will kick off at 1 p.m. Follow by Reserve matches against again Mig oh [Music] [Music] [Music] not [Music] [Music] yes [Music] can line up to your fighting irage at 11 John Murphy at 12 Matt BR at 13 at 14 [Music] ATS two Williams five and Frankie at 6 Jackson grah at seven johnes pck McKenzie and sub are Michael Ean Andrew Patrick Roco Perry Alex Adams Matt scano Alan Gordon Grace Bates Drew artist [Music] [Music] n [Music] e e [Music] again University of n program welcome today's match between R and Western Michigan today's match K off at 1M by Reserve matches the same against the same thank you the 2024 rugby season is upon us as we get a look at Touchdown Jesus as we welcome you on the Notre Dame rugby YouTube channel to a Saturday afternoon matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Western Michigan Broncos yeah well this Western Michigan Broncos team is very big very strong they're going to try to produce some rolling malls down the field really get that ball just as physical as they can down the field meanwhile for the Fighting Irish led by head coach Justin hickey much more balanced approach props Christian Barnsley and Tom Bowman are going to be vital today in challenging the strength of this pretty big Broncos team and the wings John Murphy and Colin Artis on the outside need to play a big role in getting behind this back line and really using the speed but I think it should be a fun one pretty even game and first game of the year you really can't complain with this weather yeah great doubt that's Chris Dy I'm Charlie Morris is joining you on the Notre Dame rugby YouTube channel we're just about a minute minute and a half from kickoff and Chris speak more about what you expect to see out here today you mentioned a couple big guys for Notre Dame we saw these two teams in warm-ups and it looked like Western Michigan definitely had the size Advantage so what do the Irish have to do to uh conquer that well I think speed kills and you say that for really just about any sport but getting behind the backline of this Western Michigan team defensively the Broncos are pretty strong and they're going to try to hold the four down however they can exploit some gaps and create those gaps that's going to be a big thing and however the Irish can go about that we're going to see again it's a pretty early kickoff to the season only 10 days of practice so we're going to see how this Irish team can gel together however I will say they have a lot more experience there's a lot of freshman and sophomore a lot of underclassman on this Broncos team so I think that could play to nerd's favor today yeah for Western Michigan five freshman 12 sophomores five Juniors only one senior and no grad students on the roster so definitely a lot of inexp erience first game we're told talking to coach hickey before the game first time at the Stinson Rugby field ever there's been a game in August however Notre Dame will be ready he told us they had training lot of hard training lot of training in the heat in the 10 days leading up to today's game yeah I was shocked training with the rltc guys they they did a lot of military training too so I feel bad for the players in that sense but uh yeah they're definitely prepar these guys are in shape and we got the anthem Irish are coming on to the field now yeah Irish set to take the field as Chris mentioned they did plenty of training leading up especially in the couple days before class started class started on August 27th or 26th one of those days but before then it was all hard work two times a day coach hickey was telling us again and with some some guys with the Navy and Marine RC Branch so certainly the Irish will be ready to go and for Western Michigan a lot of young energy as we mentioned as two teams on the field we're getting set for the national anthem then we'll get underway for the 2024 season let's do it Western Michigan coached by head coach Sandy slotz he's actually a water well drilling contractor in his free time so we're going to get set for the Anem we'll be right back those who are able please rise and gentlemen roove your hats for the playing of our national anthem see [Music] and [Music] the [Music] I [Music] 40 minutes on the clock two 40 minute halves here in the fall if you were with us last spring of course you were witnessing some exhilarating action in seven on seven format but fall season 15 aside 40-minute halves yeah five points per try two per conversion three for a kick as per usual and both these teams really getting ready to go and what should be a great season indeed and it's been a while as you mentioned since they played 15 so I think another big asset to this game is who plays cleaner rugby who doesn't you know have these knock who who can keep control the ball and who could play some clean solid rugby especially as we mentioned very very early in this season yeah it will certainly come down to who makes fewer mistakes out here of course little rust still very hot out so plenty of factors that could contribute to mistakes here and there and you certainly will see those throughout the game But whichever team can limit those is bound to have success indeed and we're about to get underway so it's going to be a fun one I'm really excited first game of the year Western Michigan wearing white shirts white pants white socks white shoes and a big yellow W on the front yellow numbers on the back slightly hard to see but we'll do our best up here Notre Dame try much easier distinguishable ble block white letters on the back of their Navy outfits again Navy pretty much head to toe for those team for that team as well is it'll be the Fighting Irish to receive the opening kick of the Season kicking it away for Western Michigan Michael Becky freshman out of Illinois plenty of Illinois Talent on this Broncos team nine from the state 10 from Michigan only four players on the roster from anywhere else jeez opening whistle and we are officially underway the 2024 College rugby season and it starts off with a reception from Andrew lafrankie who made that play instantly goes to the ground or will get their first chance on offense deep in their own territory yeah moving the ball good to start the game here see if they can get some rhythm going pretty early would be vital first couple minutes get this ball down field John Barnes pushes ahead for a couple meters pretty aggressive D line right now for Western Michigan not really playing back at all pretty much right up and it's so far up that in fact it's kicked away to the Return Man Who gathers it in a stiff arm good work anyway by Will linky for Notre Dame to stay with that tackle great tackle there from linky David vers Goliath much smaller guy there puts him to the ground yeah just kind of reached out with his hand to make the play as the Broncos move toward the left side it's dropped there's our first kind of instance of what we expect to see plenty of uh Miss balls here and there as again both these teams just getting underway and you know very little practice time we mentioned only 10 days for NRE Dame even less for Western Michigan to try to get ready for this one so you expect to have some some rusts some mistakes that you just can't work out yet but it's what early season rugby does again we mentioned this in the open it's the first time at Stinson Rugby field which was opened in 2013 that the Irish are playing a game in August played last year against Navy and that didn't go so well Navy of course one of the Premier programs in the nation that one was in Dublin it looks like first line out of the game here first time we're seeing an offense on their opponent's side of the territory the Notre Dame penalty sets up a kick in touch and a line out for Western Michigan that is ruled not straight and so an early turnover in the Irish take over not straight exactly that's the beginning of the season for you right there expect to see a lot more of that today for the Irish hoping to limit that [Music] looks like a scrum coming for Notre Dame as the teams line up feeding it through will be Owen portelli one of the international students for Notre Dame seven from outside the country he's one of three from Canada a well-traveled team H slips up Western Michigan ball a good good work by the Broncos to force that turnover you can hear how loud their benches even from up here on the other side of the field where we are so certainly a lot of excitement to get going for the Broncos yeah you sure there fans had this one scheduled n aame such a beautiful campus looking forward to this one all year just so happens to be the first game of the year yeah not too bad of a travel either and again many of these players from Illinois which is even closer than Michigan are about the same but you know two obviously very close Geographic locations to Fighting Irish Camp so many Western Michigan fans in attendance right below us in the bleachers yeah it's becoming a physical game already from the from the start and we said that with how big this Broncos team is some hard hits could hear the Pops from the Press Box yeah but that one ruled illegal so scrum coming up for Notre Dame they get another chance with the ball still z0 we're about three and a half minutes in and two 40 minute halves here in the 15 on 15 season so 80 full minutes and again a lot of these games can end up really low scoring which just just a testament to how well 15s play defense so yeah no score so far obviously it's early but you'll see games that are 80 minutes long and the winning team ends up with 20 25 30 points something like that which is really not that many compared to how much time they have a look out for which team can find a way to break through and the Irish will try to do that here getting close to Midfield couple strong counter RS will get get them there they need to be able to create some gaps in it's early in the game get this ball down field this is a good play right here for the Irish see what they do it AR's speed and nearly worked but it is recovered by the Broncos Colin Artis one of the returning players for Notre Dame one of the standouts from last year here's a little bit of space Western Michigan running up to the left side a good tackle from behind looked like Aiden Wardell the team captain for the Broncos with that big run the first time we've seen anyone break through a defensive line so far yeah and that's what the Irish are going to need to do once they win this ball back but I will say nerame defensively he's been pretty solid so far holding their own right now against a more powerful side and the Irish like that off mats it'll be Notre Dame ball and this is the first time we'll see them in western Michigan side of the field as they look to the sideline for guidance ball's in the hands of Andrew Packard who will be doing a lot of a kicking for them this year number 10 and that one goes into touch within Irish will or between the 22 and the 10 meter so decent field position for Notre Dame as they look to strike first yeah they need to be able to open this game up and get opportunity here inside the Broncos half first line out for them we or yeah first line out for them we saw the Broncos first line out go not straight so not will be hoping for better Fortune themselves offense playing way back everyone who's not involved in this lineup really giving themselves space to get forward momentum they try with Patrick McKenzie captain for the Irish good play there for McKenzie o tough tackle for Western Michigan however Irish still with possession battling through here it's a trenches right now and you can see that Western Michigan invites this physical game Notre Dame trying to do the same as a kick play attempt from linky bouncing ball picked up and linky in on the tackle as well Link's energy right now is been off the charts he's one of the Freshman we talked about Western Michigan's inexperience Notre Dame with Four Freshman of their own but a much more balanced lineup for them with seven sophomores six Juniors and eight seniors Nei team with a grad student on the roster on the quick against Notre Dame yeah linky he's got that energy first game as a freshman he just wants to make an impact there a little too much but again he's been having a good day so far so hope to see some more out of him certainly noticeable as that one's kicked in a touch just before Midfield so a line out coming up for Western Michigan very tactical game so far not much in the way of space for ball carriers with the heat on the the turf I mean it's perfect for us but sure it's a little hotter down there for them so obviously want to have that energy for later in the game can't be doing too much right now we have the luxury of being in an air conditioned Press Box these players do not little spoiled a quick offload good little one two there run for lafrankie great one too from the Irish we'll see how they try to get creative on the offense see how both teams really try to get creative with how well the defenses are playing right now it's Notre Dame in the middle of the field it's shove forward yeah that'll be a knock off just in and out of the hands of Luke good idea though from the Irish getting forward I'm liking it couple good passes right there western Michigan meanwhile they're getting rowdy on this bench yeah that bench over there on the top left of your screen is absolutely fired up for this season to get underway and why not a great kick that one goes into touch inside Notre Dame territory so we'll see what western Michigan can do that one had a lot of air under it just out of the reach of the notame player on the far sideline yeah yet another line out nobody's made too big of a move yet I mean still pretty early in this game however haven't really gone past that 10 meter line yet and we weren't kidding when we said this a rugby is a defensive struggle in the 15 on 15 format and again not straight so a couple early mistakes for Western Michigan it'll be Notre Dame now with the line out Matt Williams will throw it in Junior out of neille Illinois the only one on this Notre Dame roster from Illinois as compared to the nine for Western Michigan connects with lafrankie there we go get the ball moving see what McKenzie can do leaves it behind him to be careful not to go offside there a little counter Rock for Notre aame provides a little bit of extra ground frean right in there making sure he's not missing anything on the near side there's some little power running from Patrick Jennings ball comes free and a penalty against Notre Dames so a turnover a lot of turnovers early give credit to the defenses for that as Western Michigan now takes it right at about the 10 meter line they'll certainly look to kick this into touch and gain some ground we just saw a great kick yeah we did hoping for ner aame to be able to use his speed on the outside a little more and that ball goes out yeah good effort to try to keep it in but an even better kick from Mich backy again he'll be doing most of the kicking for the Broncos they're inside the 22 easily the best field position so far for either team yeah this is dangerous right now for the Irish need to do something here get this ball out see if the Broncos can get their first score of the season first they're going to need a straight line out which has eluded them so far first the referee will stop play make sure both teams are lined up right yeah that's a rust with all these line outs and this one bobbles looks good for the most part and eventually the Broncos do take over look at this battle for that's a mall right there look at this mall you don't see too many of those but we do there and we pretty much a stalemate there's some power running for Aiden Wardell this is getting real physical now the game's opening up here on the left side Far Side forward room for Western Michigan they'll go all the way to the left touchline well defended by the Irish a fighting for the life right now the Irish this is not favorable position at all however they're doing good right now that's another good tackle tried a quick play did the Broncos but nothing there go back towards us a little bit another good tackle what a job to read that play by Patrick McKenzie to Captain right there the Broncos will take advantage for a high tack earlier by the Irish ball is in and out of the hands the referee will direct traffic a little bit more looks like a controlled set piece coming up for the Broncos another opportunity for them gent if you're hungry at all today during the match we do have the just about 12 minutes into this one we're still scoreless Charlie Morris alongside Chris Daly bringing you today's action on the rugby YouTube channel and a try the first score oh maybe not oh yes it is a try indeed couldn't quite tell if the referee officially signal but yes a try for the Broncos and they jump out to a five nothing lead the first score of the Season yeah they were poking for a while right there and they finally got through that final defensive line it wasn't very pretty but a try is a try at the end of the day and the Broncos are up now certainly a hardworking one but they will take it tough angle on the conversion coming up but Bron goes out to that 5 nothing lead Notre Dame just just when you thought they were going to get a stop just called for the high tackle penalty and yeah killed them we'll see it nerame needs to get this ball into the Broncos half haven't really seen a lot of it it's been all Western Michigan these first 13 minutes um really most of the possession and now we're going to see with this conversion kick see what they can do not in a huddle in their own TR Zone as you get a look at at that trying to figure out just exactly how they're going to be able to break through Western Michigan's defense very stingy right now very high energy you can tell everyone on on this team excited to be here most especially that bench certainly energizes the players on the field backy will use the T it's got good accuracy but will fall short yeah just short that was a tough one right there so five nothing for the Broncos 2630 and the Irish now have to respond they'll have to get a stop first as of course if you think about pickup basketball they it's winners here so if you score you get the ball back uh that's different from seven on seven where if you score you then kick it away so good for the Notre aame in terms of field position but good for Western Michigan in terms of possession MH so we'll see how that what matters more as this game goes along course it seemed early that field position was King but eventually Western Michigan just so much time with the ball they eventually break through and we're out that Irish defense and ball doesn't travel fall far enough it just barely doesn't make it it's 10 meters yeah Western Michigan we're the 2019 National runner up so this program has experience in the limelights obviously a young team nevertheless however I mean this coaching staff has been to the top before and they're trying to get back and right right now they're off to a good start for this 2024 campaign yeah we mentioned head coach Sandy slavit in the opening but joined by sistence ATA malifa and Dr Mark Allen who's actually the director of rugby at WMU also a practicing dentist so mult multiple talents for all these coaches it's really cool think I need a teeth cleaning after this well if you do just find find Mr Allen Dr Allen and let him know 15 minutes into this one must Michigan ball they'll kick it into touch they will not get it into touch though finally ning will receive the kick in bounds they will stay on sides it's in the hands of John Murphy who just goes to the ground with it here's John Barnes nearly got through good tackle by the ankles n making a little bit of progress i' like to see him get it out wide though really used his speed it was working earlier as he kick it away here trying to get some good field position and it's bobbled oh that's going to be a knock on I believe playing with Advantage for a second now they'll blow it dead portelli's highing kick leads to a knock on by the Broncos will Notre Dame scrum should be upcoming as you mentioned that speed Notre Dame offense right now trying a lot of the timing plays where you have a guy kind of trying to burst through the line with full speed catch the defense not ready but Western Michigan has not fallen for that yet so would be it's interesting to see what adjustments the Irish can make and see if they can find a way to use the full width of the field to their advantage again lot of speed on this Notre Dame team yeah 100% scrum here for the Irish after there's a good kick by portelli to set up the [Music] scrum another good tackle quick offload by McKenzie MacKenzie's just been about everywhere today the eight man has been having a good performance thus far again the captain of this Notre Dame team and called there in favor of the Irish see if Notre Dame can respond certainly a good offensive possession so far but still a lot of ground to go Packard will kick it it will stay in so Western Michigan takes over not sure that was what Packard was looking to do with that kick yeah that's that rush we were talking about earlier in the program but hopefully they can win it back here would be good field position as this Ball's high up in the air high kick into the arms of Artis quick offlow to McKenzie tries to go towards the near sideline stiff arm stumbling still on his feet look at this run near the five for Patrick Jennings beautiful play there and Jennings the Energizer Bunny right now gets it going for the Irish now they are officially inside the 5 meter little fake and this is where you just use that strength just get it across the try line just got to find a way they'll try with John Barnes not quite a meter away hard to be closer it's a game of inches right now arguably less than an inch T centimeters still no signal and now they're in Notre Dame is tied it on the try what a play there and it all started with Patrick Jennings outside Center the sophomore just getting it going making something out of nothing a Houdini some may say and he really went all the way I me went about 10 yards to accelerate that Irish offense there and it's a try so huge play now they have a chance to take the lead yeah just hard working for Notre Dame gritty getting it finally across the tri line and good work by our head referee getting a great view of that play and seeing the ball hit the ground with Notre Dame in possession so with 2121 to go it's a tie game and a conversion coming up from pretty much straightway Center as well and from Andrew Packard's kick um I think nerd a off or defense just it really was the one that created that winning the ball back really quickly in that side of the field and the kick is it up and it's good and that kick is also up and good as you mentioned that makes it seven to five sorry excuse me makes the score 75 takes the lead by two and of course that doesn't look like a big deal now but those Miss conversions start to add up you can't hate Western Michigan for missing theirs as they scored their try from a tough angle you certainly can love though if you're a noted aim fan how they worked so hard to get down inside the 22 inside the five and then eventually got it back to the middle of the field before getting it in for the try yeah that was something and now it will be Irish Ball and hopefully they can just kick it up I mean those high kicks were really good for the Irish gave them the time to hang time up there gets the Irish defense time to tackle them as soon as they get it so they just got to keep on doing what they've been doing and the Irish could put some more points on the board it's an even game thus far very even game and certainly think about the impact that kicking has on this game is there's a really good kick by the Broncos and they take possession that's a banana kick right there that ball splitting in the air hard to catch that one especially with that awkwardly shaped rugby ball yeah three white jerseys versus one blue jersey where that ball reached its low point before it was taken by the Broncos so perfectly executed bronos penalty for the Irish will be a line out for the Broncos as that one goes into touch sideline referee picks his spot referee will first have a conversation with a couple noted aim players Patrick McKenzie seems to be doing the most of the listening he tells his team to settle it down a little bit number eight in blue senior Captain out of Wilmington Delaware certainly someone who the Irish will count on to be a big contributor yeah and the Irish are getting antsy as you can tell McKenzie is telling the guys settle down we'll be fine but maybe some chirping going on the field right now certainly have to imagine there would be both teams with high energy levels as we mentioned throughout the game and why not again first time in Stinson Rugby field history that they're playing or hosting a game in August yeah first week of class is just wrapped up for all of these players so it's pretty early start yeah according to coach hicky again we talked to him before the game briefly and he said that Notre Dame has played on Labor Day weekend before but Labor Day was not so early in the calendar in the week of September the first week of September that year they played at September 1st so just one day earlier but still important to note first time in August at this field and certainly it's very warm at this time of year at this location and so we'll have to see how the fatigue starts to impact the Players Knock on there against it's good for the Michigan yeah big break for the irishes a little bit of space there you saw the Western Michigan team start to kind of go to the right side we haven't really seen them use this side of the field yet over by us Austin de over here number 22 lot of speed on the outside we saw him in warm-ups and they were really trying to get him the ball but haven't been so good at doing that in the game so far and it's break for the Irish the Broncos were creeping in and that's exactly what you don't want to see we saw that last possession they had and it ended up in a try so big break and Irish get the here yeah long field to go but see what they can do McKenzie starts this play they move towards the right side over by both teams benches that's far from us far from our cameras but good view for the players on the bench over there both teams with decent number of players Notre name actually has 25 names on the roster rissing with just 23 and one of them is this guy running straight up the middle all the way past Midfield looks like that was Conrad kulot yeah and the Irish tried the grubber kick where just bounced his rolls on the ground however didn't work out and oh my the brute force of the Broncos talking about it before the game you could see it right there visually some Big Boys on this team yeah it was a good work on the tackle as that was number three Aiden Nash who's a freshman trying to use his big body to birst through and almost did calls catch fa catch called I Notre name and they'll take it yeah I don't know what they're feeding these freshmen nowadays I'm a freshman and I'm certainly not that certainly if I was out there trying to tackle Mr Aiden Nash that would probably not go so well but that's why I'm up here there's a good movement here from the Broncos yeah not a great kick from Notre Dame setting up a quick offensive possession here's Nash again brought down by lafrankie this game's again physical now and the ref blows his wh will that as the Broncos fa to release not releasing the call Big Break for Notre Dame see if they can get this kick a little bit more Airborne yeah with about 15 minutes left the Irish just one more good possession you could take a big lead into the half however they're going to need something here as we have a line out yeah again the big debate what's more valuable possession or field position and right now field position has certainly been more valuable see what kind of change that Nar yeah and they have the speed to get behind this Western Michigan defense however to the credit of the Broncos they've been very tight defensively and held a very very good line High Line out and it's picked up wow well done somehow it looked like it missed the intended target on the initial line out throw in either way Western Michigan takes over the ball as it went in and out of the hands the Notre Dame player rushing through there yeah break for the Broncos and goes into touch yet again inside the 22 so another chance for Western Michigan and they're really they've been pecking for these past couple minutes ever since Irish got that try feels like it's been all Western Michigan however it was like that for a while and then the Irish just had one big break and scored so maybe it's just the way the Irish want to play certainly seems like most of the game has been played on this side of the field Chris as you mentioned so up to see notame can continue to play strong defense yeah good passing here from the Broncos and powering through is Western Michigan and now they're getting really really close inside that 10 meter line wow look at this staying on his feet all the way down to the five looks like Mark Bavaro from the Giants back in the 80s as oh but then it's dropped in and out of the hands of Wardell byon a crucial mistake is just when Western Michigan looked like they were going to break through another knock on they've been that has been brutal for them today that's suscep second big play Western Michigan right around that same area that they've let up and again another huge break for the Irish we're going to see if they could do something with it however Bron A little sloppy today and we said that before the game it is the first game of the year so understandably so however they're really going to want to change that up in the second half you're certainly seeing a lot of positive things if your head coach slatz but too many mistakes and you don't know how many more opportunities you're going to get throughout the game so you certainly want to take advantage when you're this close and McKenzie's getting physical now the captain Leading The Way of course it's certainly not over for Western Michigan still pinning Notre Dame down and any turnover would instantly lead to a great opportunity for them to score off sides or some other penalty it's against it's actually not off sides it's against Western Michigan penalty against Western Michigan fting ball so it'll be Aris who will kick it into touch he's been doing more of the kicking recently not sure if anything happened to Andrew packet or if this is just a tactical adjustment by coach hicky but and banana Ball's dropped and it's into touch couldn't quite keep it in play so it'll be Notting ball way Clos to Midfield so a good kick from arst awesome Matt Williams will do the honors of feeding it on the lineer first he'll talk to some of his teammates about a plan hey looks like you Charlie with the mullet H to dioon Mullet as he's going to send this one into the air heard that one a lot certainly have to respect the mullet as a fellow mullet wearer myself look at that strong run oh my still on his feet is McKenzie he's been really noticeable you've mentioned him a lot I feel like I've mentioned him a lot too yeah he's been having a day and one of the leaders of this team you certainly expect him to be a big contributor throughout the season hey he's powerful right in the center of the pitch there the eight man he's just been everywhere and anywhere for the Irish and obviously a leader visibly vocally however on the field he really backs it up here ball loose SW and picked up by Western Michigan but they're called for the penalty looked like the ball went out in and out of the hands of Barnes but the referee saw something he didn't like so with 11 minutes to go it's Notre Dame ball and about Midfield yeah time is ticking so the Irish this is a really good chance for them right now to get some more points on the board before this half inevitably comes to a close as the kick is up and it's a good one oh yeah great into touch well struck off the right foot of Aris AR will keep the touch mat Williams throwing Williams again on the throw one more Tom Bowman lafrankie Luke Engel all there potential targets for Williams we'll see what he decides the Frankie is the one and they're moving around here yeah towards the middle of the field McKenzie trying else Barrel through still on his feet McKenzie this guy is a get going taking on the whole team right now finally brought down it's a brick wall back there you just can't shake him down and hit as he's thrown is lafrankie however Irish keep the ball and moving well here Matt PR with a couple nice moves first time we've seen him with the ball so far quick offloads not moving it quickly yeah I would like to see some more of those some creative onews and I think that'll really be the key to open up some gaps and and get through this Broncos defense another penalty against Western Michigan so real chance for the Irish nine minutes 30 seconds to go in the half 75 Notre Dame with the lead on the Notre Dame YouTube rugby YouTube channel mig2 thanks for joining us today we'll be streaming lots of games throughout the fall 15 on 15 format for your Fighting Irish yeah it's going to be a fun year lots of good opponents coming to South Ben and hopefully n a get some wins in those it's it's going to be a great year next one after this September 20th then another one in September on the 29th and then one in October and then couple potential playoff games here of course Notre Dame hosting the Big 10 Championship as per usual that's on November 10th that's a full day event then potential again potential playoff games on either November 2nd and then November 15th and 17 so a lot of great action coming up on the rugby YouTube channel they're Marching In yish about 3 m away right now so this is a good sign here for nerd a and who else but McKenzie let's see if he can do something good tackle there again Notre him in the middle of the field somehow it's not a knock on as Packer got fortunate that ball didn't bounce back turns it into a try Andrew Packard on the board Notre Dame 12 Western Michigan five D oh my goodness Sports Center top 10 should watch that play by Andrew Packard making a mistake into a try beautiful beautiful play there and the Irish expand their lead again dropped the initial pass to him but got fortunate that it didn't bounce forward inste bounced straight up to his hands and mention a great move a little Snake Eyes look off Juke moved to the left and untouched into the TR Zone he looked up Saw the space and said you got to be kidding me I'm just going to go so great play there from Packer to fly half and he is here now with the conversion kick or excuse me it's going to be arst goes for the kick seen him do a lot of the kicking Packard's been doing the ones from midfield for the most part but artist doing most of the rest and it is through the upright so Colin artist puts two more points on the board for the Irish and it's 14 to five course that is not a small kick either that makes it a two- possession game with minutes to go in the first half nine-point lead for Notre Dame 14 unanswered for them after the opening try of the game for Western Michigan yeah this would be a big win for nerd Western Michigan was ranked 12th to finish the year last year in the country so this is a top program as mentioned earlier and notame battling they're beating them right now so great play here from the Irish and is 14 to five with about 630 left to play here thing you're thinking that's not we also have a merch T if you want to look good like you're fighting Irish Rugby players or fans head on over to the merch tent we've got great prices and even better [Music] Geer bronos set to kick it away it's a high one but well into Notre Dame's territory so McKenzie will have no problem receiving it and then turning into a rhino for just a second there hammer on that Bronco player right there I would not want to be here so McKenzie is just kind of taking over The Game roou Force of McKenzie and we talked about the size and the strength of the Broncos before the game how is the Irish going to combat that and so far it's been Patrick McKenzie as oh look at that the kick bounces right into the arms of nerd a great field position now friendly Irish bounce John Murphy went all the way down the field to receive that bouncing kick did a good job not to Buble it knock it on yeah the Luck of the Irish indeed right there and they're marching forward now all the way out to the side arst with some space one man to beat I he's got it up and it's through the hands oh linky had a try but it went through his hands and a break for the Broncos that's a heartbreaker right there the Broncos have had that on their side so both teams have come that close before just messing up a little bit and that was a great run there and it all started with Patrick McKenzie you can see some of the western Michigan players hunched over just exhausted playing a lot of Defense recently early on it was Wester Michigan with the ball Notre Dame fatigued on defense but now it's Notre Dame who's been pressing in western Michigan just reeling trying to hold on before the half ends and they get a little break so it'll be a scrum coming up first time we're seeing a western Michigan scrum in the game yeah ner Dame's been able to win the ball back this side of the field before so going to try to do that again it would be huge with not much time to go and trying to get the first big Irish win of the day first of two we got Texas A&M tonight in football two season opening games for Notre Dame today again actually three notame volleyball taking their getting their season underway today and Santa Clara in a tournament they play two games Villanova and Santa Clara so three athletic programs getting underway this weekend for the Irish will linky with a Nifty play there as the ball comes out more towards the center of the pitch now however linky the freshman's been wheeling and dealing he's been having a good game of course other athletic programs on campus already underway the two soccer teams yet to lose the men just tied Indiana last Thursday 22 after tying akan in their season opener so three goals for them is good offense but of course three goals against as well they're 02 and0 and the Women's Soccer Team won their first game 4 nothing so they're off to a good start should be a lot of Talent on both of those soccer teams and of course a lot of Talent on football and volleyball and rugby as well so yeah it's a good season of fall Sports here in South Ben certainly we're excited to get back into it and start following these Sports again after a refreshing summer but during the summer you miss out on you miss no Sports what can you say so it's going to be a great year and the winter of course both hockey guys so it's going to be fun to see those gold helmets and then Lacrosse back-to-back national champions you can't complain it's been a great time to be an Irish athletic fan and hopefully the rugby team here can make a run at it this year certainly tough to do when you're in the same conferences teams like Indiana Penn State but no any will try a kick for three here Aris fading right and no good so not trying to get three points but unsuccessful Western Michigan will take and kick it right back goes all the way into touch about the 10 meter line on Western Michigan's half yeah that kick was just centimeters away hooked right a little bit unlucky break there for Artis yeah he got good foot on it but yeah definitely enough leg did fade a little bit to the right as he was trying to make it 17 to5 but it stays 14 to5 a line out coming for the Irish that one did not deflect off the Notre Dame player in the area before going into touch Barnes thinks about it thinks about it again instead is going to call his own number with excellent John Barnes down to the 22 hello John Barnes what what a play there from the Jamaican youth International originally out of UAE but represents Jamaica internationally Y what a play that was a great play as there's a little bit of space powering forward is Bowman nearly stayed on his feet can really see the fatigue now in the western Michigan defense just about a minute to play yeah in the first half Irish moving forward here you wonder there's a good tackle look at that gell I believe was the one on that tackle seven on seven the one in white with the huge tackle and we got 50 seconds left so we're going to see if the Irish can put some points on the board maybe a drop goal we'll see something like that but for now I I think it's going to remain the score for the rest of the half excuse me scrum scrum coming up for Western Michigan of course when that time runs out next dead ball ends the half so you don't have to follow that time exactly as long as you manage to keep the ball in bounds and not take a penalty yeah which considering this lengthen your possession there been a lot so yeah exactly see what happens the first game said it a million times by now however the rush It's Beginning off a little the back half of the first half here however we' definitely seeing some uncharacteristic penalties on both sides today yeah but one thing I I have noticed is lot less knock on from Western Michigan and some of that's a product of not having the ball as much but also you know figuring it out a little bit on the offense and you knew they would right you knew it wasn't going to be yeah definitely they've already probably lost at least one try because of their inability to hang on to the ball you have to think that those mistakes will go away with time and go away rather quickly for such a good team and Barnes in the past couple minutes has been very Lively would like to see more of him in the second half cuz he's a big guy right there in the middle of the Park the flanker so hoping he can make some magic happen in the second half yeah not only is he a big guy but he's also a extremely smart Runner he's not someone who just kind of gets the ball and go straight forward no matter what or who is in the way I'm going straight forward he's someone who's crafty you saw when he had that fake offlow just a couple minutes ago and big part of the first try for Notre Dame in this game too is nearly a disaster for the Irish and it oh there's an injury we're going to go to half notame player down on the far side and not looking like he's very comfortable yeah it does not look good can't make out who it is as of now n names training staff here team physician Dr Brian Jacobs the trainer Matt Harmon and his intern Dina Mr Chell all over there looking at what's going on you just hate to see this I mean any sport any team especially first game of the year visible pain so hoping for a quick recovery here as mentioned training staff very alert and already on it so kudos to them artist kicks it into touch to officially signal halftime Notre Dame a 9-point lead over Western Michigan after 40 minutes of play we're going to take a quick B break and be right back with second half action on the notame rugby YouTube channel Myan [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] he [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] we're back for the second half here at Stinson Rugby field in South Bend Notre Dame Fighting Irish 14 Western Michigan Broncos five Charlie Morris alongside Chris Daly we've got two wonderful veterans Nick Ruth and Sam ohaj behind the scenes as well making it all happen and two phenomenal camera operators as well bringing you today's action on the Notting rug YouTube channel 40 minutes down 40 to go Chris what did you see in that first half especially when it comes to Notre Dame's big men in the middle of the field yeah well you just said it Patrick McKenzie is a brick wall just a brute force in nature and we mentioned before the game by looks this Broncos team from Western Michigan looks a lot bigger a lot stronger however Patrick McKenzie has been able to effectively eliminate that I feel like that hasn't been as big of a factor as one may have thought and it's really due just how gritty and how talented Patrick McKenzie is he's the senior Captain he's the eight man so it goes without saying this guy is a leader on the team however he has been just been living up to all the hype before the season and the expectations put on him with that Captain's arm in yeah also John Barnes there Chris as well number seven in Navy for Notre Dame big player as well big factor on the first try of the game we'll see if he can continue to build off that first half success and he came to life in this second part of that half as his kick is up and away but I'm really hoping to see a lot more of John Barnes and get him involved in the game early on that would be a huge difference maker to extend this lead yeah certainly numers seven and eight in blue that we were just talking about done a great job wearing down the W Western Michigan team they seem to look fatigued tired gasping for air at times on defense in that second part of the first half that you were just mentioning see if they can recover and recoup after a halftime break or whether Notre Dame will keep their foot on the gas yeah that's a great point they even came to life in that second half and maybe it's because the Broncos were kind of losing some gas to the tank is nerd name training with Navy officers as we mentioned they've been put through a heck of a program in only 10 days so these guys are ready and you know they're happy to play cuz playing might just be a little easier than training with navy army officers you'd have to imagine so big shout out to our marine Roc Branch for helping out getting rugby athletes ready to go and couple Personnel changes right away seeing for Notre number 21 Matt Scarano out of Bronxville New York the sophomores into the game over by us also number 22 Alan Gordon an Irish boy he's in senior as well so couple changes for Notre Dame trying to get some fresh legs on the field sure Western Michigan has made some subs too but again those numbers those yellow numbers on these white jerseys very difficult to see so if we see them we'll Point him out but just trying to figure out who's here at this point still yeah first line out of the half got Matt Williams to toss it in here oh and it goes to the Broncos so sloppy play there from the Irish and that was another thing in the first half that we saw some sloppiness from the Broncos they had a couple chances deep into the Irish half and just some bad plays there from them a couple knock on that really killed their chances at getting a try yeah two times especially early in the half they were on the doorstep but couldn't break through and it ended up it it could end up being the difference in the game of course still a lot of time left but certainly you'd be happier if you're a western Michigan fan if your team had 10 or 12 or even 14 points right now as opposed to the five they do have good play here from the Irish they're over on the far side looks like they'll come back towards us a little bit looked like it was McKenzie again on that side that was doing it doing the damage out there just moving guys forward there's nowhere to go so he just goes through them Roco Perry number 19 ball carrier for the Irish he's also into the game the Western Michigan player just tackled a non-ball carrier don't see that one often as Nolan vanl number six in white tackling will linky who did not have the ball linky moves to the middle of the field both players back in position as it was a skip pass so certainly you understand why that happened Yeah couple quick offloads Perry will go to McKenzie moving the B all the way to the left side good vision from McKenzie who else great ball movement from the Irish and we just would like to see more of that that that's a big thing um that coach hickey was really talking about getting this ball moving using your speed using your strength just a balanced approach to the sport of rugby and that is just exactly what the coach was trying to hammer away before the game something he probably won't be happy about was a knock on which Notre name did commit after that run it looked like he was scary on or the recipient of the double skip pass but ball came free it's a couple extra Sprints at practice tomorrow H maybe another day with the Marines go through hell week as scrum collapses and Notre Dame high-fiving and clapping over on their side so perhaps forcing a turnover and indeed they did so great work on the defensive scrum by the Irish less than five minutes into the half and they're already on the doorstep down by the five as Aris kicks it into touch into touch line out upcoming Williams will throw it in Notre Dame once again on the doorstep looking to make it 19 straight points not badly seeming to take over this game as it's gone along Western Michigan a very strong start but couple key mistakes not letting them build a bigger advantage and their game is certainly settled in and to get the ball down here Irish just going to try to move it forward yeah they try a mall couple of R only M get them in there cl to a a tush push if you're an NFL fan yeah but certainly bit more defensive resistance there yeah 100% as nerd A's moving the ball nicely about a meter away let's see if they can do something with it Bowman leaves it behind [Music] him and no signal yet and it's actually a turnover wow what defense from Western Michigan I think doesn't let that ball get grounded it looks like they're fighting AR in for sure but beautiful defense on the tri line yeah that's a sight to see right there you don't see much of that with a meter to go nered aim to the goal line that Broncos stop him and that's just a phenomenal defensive play as you mentioned right there huge huge stop and with about six minutes into this half the Broncos to kick blocks it where the Michigan jumps on it wow a great block is maybe Frankie getting his hand in there Williams as well in there as you mentioned couple guys their hands up they'll do it again though as ball is grounded that kick a lot more air under it some good hang time on that one the Broncos coming up the field and meanwhile nerame trying to push forward get the free ground while they can nearly offside artist made a cut back into his own man but good work good awareness from portelli to put his arms up and avoid the call portelli again now it's Scarano couple white jerseys there to bring him downman quick off Jackson Graham he's been noticeable as the game's going along yeah he's been getting better as his time keeps ticking Jackson Graham right there with a great tackle and an offload oh good offload and no signal it look like potential try talking to Gord but we're going to get a conversation first certainly looked like Gordon was in 33 to play in the half but first a conversation maybe a forward pass maybe a knock on yeah maybe a knock on the call let's see anded favor of the Broncos so can't decipher from the box right now what is scum scrum upcoming Western Michigan feed it through so another Miss opportunity for the Irish we saw in the first half Western Michigan missed a couple opportunities to score and now we're seeing Notre Dame couple mistakes to couple good defensive plays as well give credit where credits do absolutely uh some of that to Western Michigan but you have to think this game goes along you may Ru these missed opportunities if you're an Irish fan yeah and even right here this ball is bouncing just it gives the Bronco's time to get down the field and get better field position however Nifty footwork from from the Irish but it's broken up artist offloaded it but to a western Michigan player who read it well and so finally we'll see the Broncos on offense seems like they've been playing Just prevent defense get it in their own try line and kick it away pretty much the whole half the lines up a very aggressive defensive line Broncos moving and now however balls free and picked up by the Irish Scarano on it he's been noticeable those fresh legs coming off the bench he's made an instant impact he's been doing phenomenal thus far so did have that one turnover but other than that really been a good addition to this lineup right now for Coach hickey just the energy he's providing right now second to none and oh stiff arm there McKenzie refuses to be tackled by anyone finally brought down there's a good tackle wouldn't it be surprised joined the mlr draft after this year this last year of college but I mean he's got some professional caliber to him yeah mlr mentioned a couple times in our rosters the assistant coach for Western Michigan otta malifa that we've mentioned a little bit an mlr player with Colorado and Glendale he was born in Samoa raised in New Zealand and played in the mlr lots of pedigree out here today both on the field off the field and it's great to see the sport of rugby is growing in the United States and obviously the Rugby World Cup is coming here in a few years so that'll be very fun and it's going to be a great summer of rugby when it does certainly will Michael baky as well for Western Michigan he's a freshman but his brother was a Utah Warriors draft pick Joey Becky another Major League rugby name worth mentioning again we don't know what will hold for anyone on field right now but certainly McKenzie a strong candidate based on what we're seeing out here today yeah he's been putting together quite the game and just a Difference Maker all around as the Irish with the ball here it'll be a quick tap and go and there it is McKenzie inside the five with about two meters to go to the goal line n moving they've had opportunity like this before haven't been able to convert both sides have had that there's a strong run and there's a try wow and fired up is Jackson Graham and why not 19 and extending the lead after going down 5 nothing 19 unanswered points for the Fighting Irish and it's a tough break for the Broncos meanwhile nerame celebrating and Teamwork Makes DreamWork right there just great uniform Play All Around from everybody and N marches in and it's nice to see with a couple meters to go not letting the ball loose and finally getting across the tri line Jackson Graham you mentioned he's been getting better as the game's gone along and Peak there with his first try of the Season course in the first game so all these players unless they're scoring multiple tries today will be getting their first of the year Aris will line up a kick pretty Central and to make it 21 to5 and does just that right down the middle bounces off a car in the parking lot so it had so much leg on it unlucky for that car owner though hope it didn't do any damage looks like a a silver car out there there's a there's a pickup truck parked in backwards and right next to it silver or white car hard to tell from here what brand it is but could be a good got the worst of that one indeed getting hungry we' got June buggies for lunch probably best Mexican food on campus delicious just over 13 minutes gone by in half number two Notre Dame Fighting Irish 21 all of those points coming after Western Michigan open the scoring with a try of their own so the Broncos still stuck at five yeah and the skill of this Irish team has been very visible and lots of freshman now coming in lots of guys that were on the reserve to start the game so nerd aame putting in these guys get them some experience especially with this big lead which is nice to see and it's good for coaches of course to evaluate and also of course get fresh legs I mean they've been wheeling and dealing so far in this second half so they have been doing great and it's good to [Applause] see Notre Dame ball once again after their own try oh Perry gets wrecked that was a strong tackle from Wardell did get the ball off in time though so notame will retain possession fake offload now brought to the ground was Gordon whistle blows to stop play penalty called against Western Michigan yeah we haven't seen as many penalties so far about 15 minutes in but it's a little less sloppy penalty nevertheless here for the Broncos kick into Touch N will get it back on Western Michigan side of the field 26 minutes 15 seconds to go in half number two Notre Dame opening the season in August for the first time on home soil again their next home game will be September 20th that's a 7 pm. start and that will be here on the notame rugby YouTube Chan Channel between then and now two away games for them yeah hoping get some wins to keep hiling them up I mean this is a great start so far considering they hold out here 21 to5 it would be tough to imagine the Broncos comeback however can't really count anything out seen crazier comebacks the Patriots Falcons NFL 28 to3 so not as much of a lead but you never know certainly Seen Crazy comebacks in rugby as well thinking back to a couple games last spring that were that I covered there was a big comeback in one of them 17-point comeback in a seven on seven game so probably the biggest I've ever seen yeah so you never know it is only 16-point lead so three scores but Western Michigan has shown that they can get in the tri zone They just they need they don't have that one big play yet that one like where they get through the first line of defense and they're into the second areas and they're they got like room to run you just feel like they've had to grind for every single meter and a lot of that has caught up to them and uh they've been doing a lot of kicking it away for field position as opposed to working the ball up the field because it's tough against this notame defense and that could be not's identity you know be hard to play against every team wants to be hard to play against but it's it's hard to be hard to play against and Notre Dame certainly making it that way so far yeah to match that the skill of the Irish has been on a wide display and we've seen some star players we mentioned Patrick McKenzie at the start of the half here he's been having a phenomenal game but totally agreed there nerd aame is not making it easy at all for this Broncos offense really to do anything and then of course with the Broncos offense just need to be sharper once again get into that final third of the pitch as right there they drop it and ner Dame it's race Bates who receives the ball for the Irish good play there from The Freshman a couple bobles by Western Michigan setting up Bates who's now into the game number 23 in navy blue Chris you say you know race and we talked to Coach hickey before the game and hickey was very happy that he was a that he Rec he basically recruited him and said we worked hard to get him here and we're very happy to have him yeah he lives in the dorm next to me he was thinking about Boston College apparently so highly touted recruit out of Arizona all-time Tri leader at his local Rugby Club so RAC is a top talent and here for four years so lots more to come out of him and lots more to come especially this season too they have a phenomenal roster up and down and and these guys that fill up the bench are just top caliber players you're going against a top caliber team right now and they put up a TR already so it's good to see and it's just great reaffirming for Coach hickey yeah you certainly have to be happy with Notre Dame's depth we've seen new guys come into the game in this half already and make a difference and yeah they'll go for another three points here try to make it a three try game artist lining up a long kick this is a very long one might need to recruit him to be kicker on the football team if he sinks this one in it's beautiful and it's down Middle with plenty of leg to spare Aris adds three Notre Dame takes it to 24 to five that was a great kick yeah that at least he didn't hit any cars so good for the uh people in the attendance but wow what a kick straight down the middle from way downtown Colin Artis have a day and it as you said 24 to5 we have 22 minutes left so just about halfway through this second half and the Irish are storming away with this one I I think maybe now the comeback we can officially say is it it's definitely not over but not over you never want to say it's over never never over but certainly with the way Notre Dame is playing they are it's hard to imagine right now which just with how amazing this Irish offense has been Western Michigan need three tries for the comeback and with the way Notre Dame's defense is playing it's hard to imagine them getting even one at this point just because seems like again they've been worn down look at look at this run this is something that did not happen in the first half Western Michigan was way too alert on defense to allow a run like that to happen but right now Notre Dame is just taking advantage of being at home being in a familiar environment being perhaps more ready for this game based on their longer training period yeah 100% a lot of things coming out here in the second half as that kick is blocked and just lots of rugby experience we did talk about this is a young team for Western Michigan so ner name a lot of these guys have been here we've seen the leadership abilities of the star player McKenzie so it's definitely helpful All Things Considered especially this early in the season yeah Notre not not exactly a very experienced team but compared to Western Michigan certainly way more experienced mentioned it once but Western Michigan with only one senior on the roster opposed to eight for Notre Dame as well as six Juniors for Notre Dame so 14 upper classmen as opposed to Western Michigan who have six five Juniors one senior 12 sophomores so a little bit of experience with them but really not that much yeah now to go into touch here for Western Michigan a pretty solid kick so chance for the Broncos to get some points on the board still 20 minutes to go in the second half trailing by 19 have [Music] line and the blue and gold looking to win the ball back here now this is where Western Michigan is dangerous we did mention they were sloppy however they've been here before they've been in similar positions and they've gone very very close so nerd him defense needs to be alert and keep on doing what they've been doing all game as you mentioned earlier it's a perfect line out thrown in well by Carson Reed and perfect execution for Western Michigan they'll try The Far Side all the way out to the right but the ball's on the ground was playing with Advantage it was a forward pass so good start to that possession for Western Michigan but no's high-intensity defense just forcing the turnover yeah they're able to switch the ball very effectively and both teams have done that um throughout the game there maybe just a little more and it's a big reason why they're up by 19 however good teamwork there from Western Michigan they get it from the left side of the pitch all the way to The Far Side from us towards the Dugout you can see a lot less energy on that Western Michigan bench they were so loud early in the game we could hear them from all the way up here but you can kind of see that energy has faded and hard to blame them a lot of heat out here today and of course a long game 80 minutes of total game time we've already played more than 60 yeah nerd in wins the ball back and now they're going to be marching forward Bowman will offload it and Diving down to the ground is that ball carrier a couple extra meters for him they got to move this ball quickly race baates now with it Bates will go to The Far Side linky potential two-on one he's going to keep it himself and a great find to baates the race bait going all the way and tackle from behind but gets it off couple of these new players into the game for Notre Dame getting involved right away very Lively and yes he fresh legs right as you said right there new fers coming in with all the energy in the world and they want to make an impact they're freshman oh look at that a start for College rugby yeah bouncing tough Play arst Misses it it's a grubber kick right there and it's a battle for the ball now oh my big hit a good counter Ruck huge hit from Patrick McKenzie down there far side of the field game starting to open up a little bit here with 17 and a half to play carefully gathered in and moving toward the left side this is couple fake moves now all the way out left cut back attempt from Kyle Munger leaves it behind him yeah and it gives neram defense time to reset and boom shakalaka there goes to hit another good counter Rock Notre Dame certainly inviting that physicality that Pol it's rescued by Danny long number nine in white juggled but eventually coralled by Dan Seymour there's some good passing big hit along the touch line yeah Western Michigan marching forward though nevertheless and getting a couple meters up the pitch getting into dangerous territory now best offensive possession we've seen from them in a while they're going to try to kick it takes a bad bouns wow nearly a brilliant play for the Broncos but it turned right on a dime went into touch would have been something the technique to take that on is is tremendous so good try there from Western Michigan however just can't get it and the Irish maintain a 24 to five lead around 16 minutes left to go here certainly looked like if that ball had gone anywhere but straight to the right it would have been yeah just try unlucky bounce very unlucky Friday the 13th bounce right there and we're having a Friday the 13th coming up oh do we have a game on Friday the 13th or just a regular Friday the 13th classes might not be good hopefully I don't have a test it's the uh the new president father Dow is getting uh it's it's becoming official on September 13th so all nerame classes are cancelled actually on that day but it's funny you mention that bounce because the next the next 13th of the month is September 13th which is a Friday interesting fun fact the more you know as we have a scrum here Irish Ball I was lucky enough to get one class canceled on Friday yeah but that means that the other 17 Fridays of the semester I will have class so you win some you lose some indeed I have biology early in the morning on Fridays not not the biggest fan but got to make it work as big kick down the pitch stays in bounds drops that'll be a knock on in and out of the hands of the western Michigan player on the far side so a break for the Irish under 15 to go and not a in full control yeah we're going to see how nerame does with these final quarter of an hour to go a little less than 15 minutes and these Subs we mentioned earlier they've been coming into the game just all of them energize your bunnies really just everywhere anywhere and being a Freshman they're just excited to get started they just want to keep going and they want to score a try why not so it's been fun to watch and this game is definitely open up a little here in the second half a bit more end to end at times yeah noted they making another sub Oren portelli coming off the pitch two hugs and high fives from his coaches and teammates he was a big factor today yeah he he had a great day a lot of Irish players after again pretty slow start for them got to give credit to Western Michigan coming out ready to go Dro pass there western Michigan ball they're playing with Advantage right now the overhead pass and moving it along nicely stiff arm breaks through a couple Defenders long will think about it choose his right side wardell's pass bounces and it's getting we get a whistle as again Western Michigan had been playing with Advantage so now they'll take advantage of that after the Notre Dame knock on little get a set piece coming around 30 35 M or so from the try line yeah and they're just going to try to get some points here goal differential Point differential at the end of the year of course but more importantly just get some people going into the game get some momentum headed into their next one it's very big and you of course don't want to end on 24 to5 so they're going to keep going and you got to expect Western Michigan to keep pouncing in this game they're not going to let up now and they any meanwhile well we just mentioned it these under cman have really stole the show in the second half coming in as subs and doing their job and doing their job very very good yeah certainly a long season so you don't want to turn the page on this game yet every minute is an opportunity to get better especially early in the year when you're trying to work out some of the wrinkles yeah seeing Western Michigan certainly do some of that in the second half lately especially they've been having much better offensive possessions that one though ends in a knock on this run by Williams good offload to Scarano down the right left side Scarano thinks about it oh and here he is Patrick couple passes now it's Gordon baits in the middle down to the five puts it down beautiful beautiful expansive rugby from Notre Dame even better work by Western Michigan to take the ball back as Bates tried to put it down behind him but didn't have any help behind him so taken away by the Broncos well a team was moving so fast not everybody could keep up I think that was the issue there with the play with baits and Western Michigan Lucky in that aspect however fighting for their lives defensively good fluid rugby from the Fighting Irish yeah again it just really takes one breakthrough out here to kind of get it started like you think about how good these defensive lines are for both teams hard to break through that first line but when you do it becomes really yeah the game becomes open like it just opens up and we saw it there and good work by westler Michigan to hold strong and force the kick attempt coming upbody it will be artist who try to add three for Notre Dame Notre Dame did make one substitution Andrew Canfield out of Toronto Ontario coming into the game number 17 Tom Bowman sophomore from Ohio he exits and he was somebody who's goes under the radar for this Notre Dame team certainly a solid player doesn't get the ball much but really helpful on the line outs really helpful on defense so someone who coach hickey is very happy to have and he gets a break for the last 11 minutes as the kick is up and through so three more for Notre Dame 27 unanswered and a 22-point lead yeah arst he's been putting up some points today another three there for him second successful kick to go along with his three successful conversions as well yeah you had that one bomb from the middle of the field right by the center circle so you get another one for Colin artista junr rightwing ccin excuse me from Madison New Jersey actually you love to see that as a fellow New Jersey guy a lot of New Jersey kids on this team represent pretty well yeah three which again doesn't sound like a lot but it's actually the most represented state on this Notre name roster there you go shout out jerseys yeah love it nerame loses possession right in front of us Western Michigan takes it back however tough tough hit there from Patrick Jennings and in fact the ball carrier there was ammani Boer buer excuse me number 17 in white who actually stepped into touch unfortunately for him so a good idea but left foot did clip the line so it'll be a Notre Dame line now coming up and Williams will do the honors as per or he will not do the honors he's coming off the field in his substitution Michael Eagan coming in you just mentioned Monty buun he actually played against ndame last year over at Shrine in the first game of the season for the Irish it was a huge win 70 something points for Notre game yeah two transfers from try on this team buer one of them Dan Seymour the other and again you mentioned Notre a dominant win in that one and certainly the scoreboard won't indicate that this was a big blood and it wasn't but yeah certainly there was no doubt uh starting really in the second half you you wondered if maybe Western Michigan could come out here in the second half and kind of build off learn from some mistakes and take advantage of their rest and and come out strong but certainly it's it's been the Irish that have been in control this game ever since they took the lead with their first try and conversion and really haven't looked back and I think the Irish control controlled the pace of the game and once they started to that's exactly when everything flipped for them at first it was just a physical prowess that we talked about for Western Michigan but once the Irish started maintaining possession getting deep into the Bronco Zone and trying to play the rugby that they want to play it's just been a whole different game and Western Michigan has had no answer thus far it's 27 to5 and we have eight minutes left so L aame has been having a great day but it started about 10 15 minutes into the game it took a little bit of time and at first Western Michigan of course were the first scorers of the game yeah yeah we keep mentioning it they came out on fire they were ready to go today and it arguably could have been more than five in fact you would not have to make a great argument to convince me that Western Michigan deserved more than five points in the first 10 to 15 minutes of this game but since then Notre Dame has really figured it out made the adjustments use their Superior stamina and Western Michigan had a couple spurts here in the second half on offense but plagued by some mistakes such as not straight line outs as that one was agreed and a lot of good talents here we have freshman will linky number 15 the fullback he's been out here the whole time he was a starter and he's still out here I think he's one of the the few I don't have a detailed cheat as of now about who started however Link's been out here he might be a little tired but he's had a great game and it was a great introduction to him so far for know rugby yeah the Freshman out of London in the UK is actually Australian will linky has been has shown his speed at points this game of course a couple freshman mistakes you think about the one drop that he had near the tri Zone couple other one earlier here in the half where he kind of mishandled it a little bit and didn't make a great pass but really has been showing that he's a a really good piece in especially the future but even the present for coachi yeah he's had a couple nice fake off flads keeps going and it's just when they have that space that you mentioned and this game opens up will linky is the guy give it to him he's got that speed as that Ball's popped up into the air and the Broncos with a nice little play there and they win the ball back yeah linky one of the smallest players on the field but certainly hasn't stopped him from being effective as Wester Michigan will try to punch it in one more time in this half you typically find that with the fullbacks number 15 in the back smaller guys that use their speed to their advantage and strategic strategic position right there there's a good tackle as nearly breaking through as Jesse bomber that's kicked ahead it will roll take a Notre Dame bounce nerd Dame is moving up the field getting guys up trying to pin Western Michigan back however Western Michigan to their credit passing pretty nicely for the most part yeah ran out of options to the right though in the far right wing announcers Cur right as I say that but get the ball back here you don't actually believe in that do you no I mean there's reason to but there's sometimes where I see it as an announcer I I'm not allowed to believe in it so I don't believe in it but let's just say I won't be saying that Colin arst has not missed a kick today which is not even true he has missed a kick today but I won't be I wouldn't be saying that when he lines up for his next one just in case yeah just in case fingers crossed as that's that's a bomb Wow way downtown and Irish defense moving forward Irish certainly content to play the field position game right now look at that tack tack up the field well done Aris speaking of Colin Aris still one of those starters still on the field as well just like linky now just one meter to the try line for nerame Ball's bouncing around it's Western Michigan ball however if they can pin him back here would pretty likely to get another try they've done pretty well with field position similar to this and they forced the turnover off the penalty so just outside the 5 meter line it'll be a scrum for Notre Dame with 415 to go 22-point lead for Notre Dame yeah Notre Dame just trying to expand upon this lead here four minutes as you mentioned let's see not Dame can do something and we have the Medics coming off the field looks as if maybe an injury maybe just a water break there's a knock or a water break yeah continues to tick looks like it's a western Michigan player I believe you're correct but he does get to his feet on his own power which is good to see these rugby players obviously extremely tough yeah one of the one of the hardest contact Sports in terms of you know physical uh like Brute Force running into people and also definitely the one other than maybe wrestling played with the least amount of equipment so lot of the equipment not having equipment safer at least with the form that they tackle with compared to American football just because of the helmet to helmet everything you see about CTE so um interesting little scientific antidote right there certainly won't be hearing many scientific antidotes from me but thank you Chris for providing that one I try my best not a big fan of science but Sports Science it's cool biology at you know Friday amm certainly doesn't help its case either I don't don't remind me don't remind me however Friday the3 six days till then six days so you have to think about that that again so don't worry we got a scrum coming up for Notre name after the trainers leave the field with all their water bottles of course sometimes you'll see the halves be split in half for water breaks at this at we feel we've seen that before but not today they determined it was not quite that hot this race is powering forward race baits the Arizona kid almost gets all the way to the tri line there there's a strong run just barely not in Notre Dame and now they are another try for the Irish Scarano does the honors scary Scarano great play there from him from Bronxville New York the sophomore gets into the tri line and 32 to5 Notre name is powering forward and again pinning them back the big kick that got went all the way back almost just to a couple meters before the try line was the reason they had that field position and then they just power it in the story of today 32 unanswered now for Notre Dame the minute and a half to go so really you've seen new guys come into the game and and really contribute and we got the JV game after this one that will be streamed we will not be with you Chris and I will not be with you for that one but the game will be on the YouTube channel so stick around to see the next generation of depth that not that Notre Dame has to offer if you're interested yeah that'll be a fun one looking forward to watching that one should be good that kick Fades to the left obviously very difficult angle for artist under a minute to go 27-point lead for Notre Dame yeah 50 seconds left so just about all she wrote here at Stinson Rugby field and it's been one heck of a day Notre Dame just had to get their feet wet to start the game but they really ran away with this one yeah certainly had the looks of what we were expecting Chris with a close game evenly matched physicality vers vers speed what was going to Prevail field position vers possession which one would you rather have and by the time this one's over this one's ending it's clear that no matter what the situation was Notre Dame's 10-day training program leading up to the game clearly a big success the boot camp have to imagine if this game was played perhaps in November that Western Michigan would be way more prepared and wouldn't be so easy to score on they weren't even easy to score on but certainly their offense really dried up in that second half and you'd have to attribute that to a lack of energy for the most part so I think the combination of speed and size from aame it's a very well balanced team really makes them hard to play against you have of course the eight man in the middle and then just so many guys on the outside on the flanks on the wings and of course the fullback will linky we've talked about him before so it's a great combination as that ball is out and that is all she wrote here at Stinson Rugby field Notre Dame 32-5 victory over Western Michigan the Irish score all of their points after Western Michigan's first try it's a dominant win for Notre Dame to start their 2024 season yeah it's been a pleasure to call this game back and forth to start but nerame never looked back once they got into that try line and 32 to5 dream start for the Irish and it's the first of many wins for nerm athletic programs today for Charlie Morris alongside my partner Chris Daly Sam ohaj and Nick Ru behind the scenes and two excellent camera operators as well thanks for joining us on the Notre Dame rugby YouTube channel Notre Dame 1 and0 to start the season they get their first win in their first ever August game at Stinson Rugby field we'll see you next on September 20th for a matchup against Michigan and until then so long thank you he [Music] [Music] [Music] I oh [Music] oh [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] was like this my buddy tell [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] play oh [Music] next [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] y [Music] oh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] field [Music] I don't [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Music] a [Music] y [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] oh [Music] everything [Music] n [Music] [Music] [Music] n [Music] he he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh [Music] fie [Music] welcome ladies [Music] [Music] gentl start the hopefully mouth guard because all right boy [Music] oh he just made a tackle good tack oh yeah noten on Western Michigan line are you supposed to tack I remember in high school game let's Go's go [Music] out here to the Irish Danny M actually never mind no oh we got him right pass here on the Irish to R watch you're trying to move the ball [Music] [Applause] somewhere what a tackle from SK Western Michigan out of BS to watch goodness that oh he I he got it k have a line out in ready put wor let's go [Music] believe what a run from the Irish for the first TR of game number 15 Tom Bowman number 15 Tom the k was got high socks High black sock B up get on it get penalty on the Irish W Michigan Willi [Music] got be on your buddy over go to because stand just kid where after the Irish get down deep in western Michigan territory we've got another Western Michigan slub right there know what he's actually been going running Mich [Music] great team effort from the fighting arst there for another try to go up 10 nothing Tom Jericho for [Music] let and get go [Music] no the only thing is like's no pattern on [Applause] you re because there you go Henry Irish Irish IR over on the Irish will for Western Michigan go Irish kicked the ball out of bounds to end the first half 10 nothing Fighting Irish just another reminder folks if anybody's getting hungry youve got the June buggies food truck it's delicious make sure you head over there got quaz tacos anything you might want I just came e for I'm good y everybody else then make sure yall head over to the merch 10 as well before the start of the second half ND rugby has the best merchandise all of Notre Dame so get down there ASAP you Robert Robert so what do you think I don't really know what's going on but the work it's like a cross between soccer and football I think yeah that first game I watched was um was doing the Olympics and I was like it's almost like football but there's constant fumbling ball just always moving did you we ear the first no tacky he got the firsten the first penalty no he didn't he told me yesterday he's like yeah I'm coming under Dame and then I said when and he just never responded so check oh he's over on the you know him right like always I that's what I was looking for over on the I could tell it Drum It Up and Down no helmet to like he used to always grab onto his helmet definitely got a haircut yeah that's that a lot cooler how's schol [Music] going is it Weir see your really you're playing [Music] youn out hat he said he's going to be a on have you thought about playing rugby no I we have an though play Come Back looks so tired looks so [Music] next I think next Saturday they're going to play at Western flying [Music] up the numbers on the [Music] never flying out of sou Airport did that with volleyball for last bought the shirt after the scum penalty on the Fighting Irish W Michigan kick Touch of a western Michigan line out how are all your math classes are you doing good um so far they haven't been too bad but it's first week so we'll see in week or two so do they have like do you go to like open like what do they call it they help you help sessions sometimes so going a couple of those but usually me and class just get together in like the library yeah we just work my stuff together and my roommate was he's a math ahead of me until this semester he was always super helpful if F had a question to be able to answer finish it finish [Music] [Applause] ity what is it called it's not a it's a try try yeah one throw away for w Mig on the Ed of 10s and then it used to and like in like the Olympics they what happens is wherever you score like you go back to a certain point you can kick it through the upst and that gives you two points so it's the same as like almost like an NFL touchdown let's see oh he is kicking it so if he makes it it's two points got the ball but why do we have they he's going see I guess try that's to be oh yeah it's like wherever you go in and then they push it back so it's like super angry that's why you try and score like from The Middle that guy ran him I know you can do that there we go Western Michigan barely miss a good conversion kick Irish stay up 10 to five [Applause] [Music] [Music] penalty on Western Michigan Alex Adams ready to go for the Irish I I he like totally see the problem is whenever they go down towards the middle they want to go never all go up like a oh like like push up I think out of BS though out of bounds just kind of throw it up [Music] um right before we got right when we got here Tex he said I don't know if I play or not he's I mean he's learning I I mean he called me and said that he like joined our team like four days ago or something so I can't imagine got everything do the backward it's not my kid I know [Music] now do you stay like for years or two I like guys little I I saw your pictures on on Facebook that your mom posted your freshman dorm like had really really high feelings yeah got really fresh like people in the firsta they talked about like for a week [Music] after wants to know right [Music] you don't get anything like show those DS right there um that building and those two I know everything looks very similar seen anything seen yeah it's it kind ofs things off you like be like oh it's this building and it's like they all look the same where's your mom she works uh it's in a building by the library it's called K's Hall it's um yeah it's just near the library you ever run into I never run into her but I like sometimes we go get lunch or something big camera [Music] penalty on Western Michigan beautiful work from number 30 Alex Adams Irish B [Applause] I see they guys [Music] push him in yes for the Fighting Irish right at the Western Michigan five going I was nearly Barrel into the end zone but I stopped right on the western Michigan Tri at this way he run you know profession I can't imagine like people that are born right I mean's way over here and [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] what a run is the fighting router score another try go up 155 [Music] watch the game tonight Robert oh yeah I just I just hope it win I really do we were watching the game this morning and all of them were saying Texas win they were station yeah you guys it in Texas yeah Patrick D four with a valiant effort which hits the [Music] PO sad day [Music] watching the Georgia Clon game before this ge [Music] let [Music] and the Irish steam roll down the field again for another 20 to he really ran I'm yeah [Music] I'm they were up a point middle of thirded guys and he drills the conversion 22 to5 Fighting Irish which one [Music] see what I'm confused is score w k I guess see they yeah that's games yeah I got they lost a j to Tech so we don't know if they're going to be decent by the time we play them you could have gone to my school soccer game that you played uh oh yeah like the brain socer yeah yeah did you play yeah I play did you see the where he tried to kick the ball out of bounds and he kicked it about 60 yard toward the fans I remember playing soccer he played a couple games I don't think the yeah I think um he wanted like homecoming he was practicing and doing fo he didn't do the socer practice nice Mee you see you next weekend like the quietest one that mean oh that was the end of the game it's supposed to be but they keep playing I wonder I think the game keep going until the B someone scores think I don't know oh oh so it's like it's like soccer exra Tom Curry kicks the ball out of bounds that'll be it for today folks your final score 22 to5 Fighting Irish beat Western Michigan remember on your way out to hit the merch 10 oh never mind the merch 10 is over but um June buggy is still here make sure to get food if y are hungry and have a good rest of your day go Irish [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] put him in a body bag