February 19, 2012
CLEMSON 22 - BGSU 18
Greenville, SC - In a highly anticipated match up, which included a change of venue to Furman University, due to relentless rain in the South, the Clemson Tigers edged out a traveling Bowling Green State University side. BGSU, only hours after beating UNC 34-19 in Clemson, the day before, took the field again in an attempt to sweep their southern counterparts on a double match weekend.

Clemson, having rested many players on Saturday while the JV side took apart Western Carolina University and Davidson College, took the better part of the first half hour of the game to get aclimated to the weather and the rugby itself. Before either team could settle into the match, both were faced with devastating injuries as BGSU sophomore flyhalf Max Narewski (ribs), and Clemson captain, and senior flyhalf Ethan Picone (clavicle) were forced off within minutes of each other, and neither would return. Much of the first half was played deep in Clemson territory, and numerous Tiger errors resulted in multiple opportunities for BGSU close to the line. However, the Clemson defense managed to hold strong, but finally broke after a try from BGSU #15 at 28min. The conversion was unsuccessful. 8 minutes later, the Tigers responded with a penalty from replacement wing, Stefan Friend. Only 3 minutes passed before the Falcons answered with a penalty of their own, bringing the lead back to 5 points, and taking it into half time with a score of 3-8.

Adjustments were made at the half, in order to account for injuries and while Clemson seemed to have it all figured out, BGSU applied immediate pressure, kicking deep to the Tigers corner, where they would ultimately touch it down for a converted try only 2 minutes into the second half, 3-15. For the first time all day, Clemson began to settle into it's structure, ammounting to 2 unanswered tries in the next 15 minutes by flanker Ryan Sullivan, and scrumhalf Tyler Blaser. The former was converted by Friend, but it was the latter that was awarded with some controversy. A quick tap by Blaser, seemed to catch the Falcons a bit off guard, but with 2 assistant referees on duty for the day, the officials seemed to have gotten it right, and as a result, the match was tied 15-15 with 23 minutes to play. Bowling Green finally answered with a short range penalty, taking back a 3 point lead at 60 minutes. Then, 6 minutes later, it was Bowling Green who seemed to be threatening the Tiger line once again, before a mis-handle, in the BGSU mid-field, left a loose ball opportunity open for fullback Jordan Byrd to capture the moment. Byrd collected the dropped pass, and outraced the Falcon backfield 95 meters for what would turn out to be the match winning try. Conversion by Friend, gave Clemson their first lead of the match, 22-18, and as it tourned out, they ultimately would not give it back. The remainder of the match was played mostly at midfield or in the BGSU end, as Clemson tried to keep the pressure on the Falcons with kicks and slow possession play. In the end, it was enough to squeeze out the win.

Man of the Match: Tyler Blaser

CLEMSON 22(3):
Tries: Sullivan (49m), Blaser (57m), Byrd (66m)
Con: Friend (2)
Pen: Friend 

BGSU 18(8):
Tries: #15 (28m), #0 (42m)
Con: #0
Penalty: #0 (2)

Clemson v. BGSU
15. Jordan Byrd, Sr., 14. Tyler Blaser, Sr., 13. Rion Tapp, Fr., 12. Nolan Courvell, Jr., 11. Eddie Abreu, Jr., 10. Ethan Picone, Sr. (c), 9. Tyler Blaser, Sr.; 1. Brett Weaver, So., 2. Dan Collins, Fr., 3. Max Simons, So., 4. Joey Kingerski, Sr., 5. Spencer Hutchinson, Sr., 6. Tommy Evans, Jr., 7. Ryan Sullivan, So., 8. Matt Fetty, Jr.
Reserves Used: 16. Geoff Carroll, So., 17. Chris Disanto, Sr., 18. Daniel Perry, Jr., 19. Stefan Friend, Sr.


Clemson JV 17 - WCU 0
Tries: Parrott (5m), Carroll (30m), Parrott (40m)
Con: Friend
JV v. WCU
15. Stefan Friend, Sr., 14. Corey Parrott, Fr., 13. Daniel Perry, Jr., 12. Darion Patterson, So., 11. Sam Stargel, Fr., 10. Jimmer Fradette, Fr., 9. Jordan Baer, Fr.; 1. Nathan Lutman, Fr., 2. Emanuel Courderc, Ex., 3. Geoff Carroll, So., 4. Joe Mulholland, Fr., 5. Will Carlson, Fr., 6. Miles Jones, Sr., 7. Andrew Clement, Fr., 8. Chris Disanto, Sr.
16. Joe Williams, Jr., 17. Andrew Bell, Fr.

Clemson JV 27 - Davidson 0
Tries: Perry (2m), Mulholland (17m), Patterson (29m), Patterson (37m)
Con: Williams (2)
Pen: Williams
JV v. Davidson
15. Joe Williams, Jr., 14. Corey Parrott, Fr., 13. Jeremy Hirschland, So., 12. Darion Patterson, So., 11. Sam Stargel, Fr., 10. Jimmer Fradette, Fr., 9. Jordan Baer, Fr.; 1. Nathan Lutman, Fr., 2. Andrew Clement, Fr., 3. Geoff Carroll, So., 4. Joe Mulholland, Fr., 5. Will Carlson, Fr., 6. Miles Jones, Sr., 7. Daniel Perry, Jr., 8. Chris Disanto, Sr.
16. Stefan Friend, Sr., 17. Andrew Bell, Fr.

January 27, 2012
CLEMSON 25 - GREENVILLE 7
Clemson, SC - 6 days after the Tigers kicked off their season with a win in Georgia, Clemson faced a stiff opponent in the Greenville Griffins. Both teams came out very aggressive in the opening half, resulting in a handful of infractions at the breakdown and a conference or two with the match official. Clemson got on the board quickly with a try by Jordan Byrd in the Northwest corner of the try zone. The tough conversion attempt was no good, as Dan Collins would struggle on his luck the entire night. At the 15 minute mark, a darting run by Eddie Abreu stretched the Tiger's lead to 10-0. Greenville immediately responded through repeated infringments and brute determination to put the Griffins on the board and pull to within 3 points with just over 20 minutes to play in the half. An unexpected power outage left the playing field black for over 20 minutes before play would finally resume with the game close at 10-7. Both teams came out aggressive just as they did to start the match, resulting no scores and an abrupt finish at 36 minutes, by the match official to attempt to get the game under control.

The second half began with Clemson controlling most of play in the first 10 minutes, resulting in 2 quick tries by Byrd and Abreau once again. While much of the second half was played in Tiger territory, Clemson forced 12 turnovers, and put together a tremendous defensive performance never really letting the Griffins threaten their line. The Tigers made a number of handling errors of their own, but the defensive aggression and dominance at the breakdown proved too much as Clemson would have the last word through a Rion Tapp try off of a turnover created by a teeth rattling tackle by Nolan Courvell at midfield. When the final whistle blew, Clemson had earned a physical 25-7 victory over the Griffins. As it always is, I'm sure the next time these two teams meet again, it will be well worth the ticket price!
 
Man of the Match: Max Simons

CLEMSON 25(10):
Tries: Byrd(3m), Abreu (15m), Byrd (49m), Abreu (51m), Tapp (77m)
Con:
Pen:

GREENVILLE 7(7):
Tries: #12(19m)
Con: #4
Penalty:

CLEMSON TIGERS: (15) Jordan Byrd, Sr., (14) Tyler Blaser, Sr., (13) Rion Tapp, Fr., (12) Nolan Courvell, Jr., (11) Eddie Abreu, Jr., (10) Ethan Picone, Sr., (9) Tyler Thompson, Sr.; (1) Brett Weaver, So., (2) Dan Collins, Fr., (3) Max Simons, So., (4) Joey Kingerski, Sr., (5) Spencer Hutchinson, Sr., (6) Tommy Evans, Jr., (7) Ryan Sullivan, So., (8) Matt Fetty, Jr.

Subs used: Chris Disanto, Sr. (65min)

CLEMSON JV 45 - GREENVILLE B 5

CLEMSON 45(19):

Tries: Patterson (10m), Friend (24m), Fradette (39m), Friend (42m), Fradette (50m), Fradette (60m), Carroll (77m)
Conversions: Friend (5)

GREENVILLE 5(0):

Tries: Wing (65m)

CLEMSON TIGERS: (15) Steffan Friend, Jr., (14) Graeme Dreamer, Fr., (13) Corey Parrott, Fr., (12) Darion Patterson, So., (11) Sam Stargel, Fr., (10) Jimmer Fradette, Fr., (9) Jordan Baer, Fr.; (1) Nathan Lutman, Fr., (2) Emmanuel Couder, Ex., (3) Geoff Carroll So., (4) Joe Mulholland, Fr., (5) Will Carlson, Fr., (6) Miles Jones, Sr., (7) Edward Fleetwood, Ex., (8) Chris Disanto, Sr.

Subs Used: Jordan Behringer, Ryan Sullivan II

Forward of the Match: Nathan Lutman
Back of the Match: Jordan Baer

January 21, 2012
CLEMSON 30 - KENNESAW STATE 10
Kennesaw, GA - The Clemson Tigers traveled down to Kennesaw, GA Saturday, through a torrential down pour and thunderstorm to kick off the spring season against Kennesaw State. Due to the weather, the match was delayed a half an hour, requiring both teams to seek shelter in the state of the art Owl's Nest Recreation and Club Sports Facility at KSU.

When the match finally begun, under sun shine and blue skies, both teams looked eager to take control of the match early on with physical competitions at the break down. KSU struck first through a Clemson penalty deep within their own half, giving the home side an early 3-0 lead 5 minutes in. Clemson responded by controlling the majority of play for the next 10 minutes, playing in KSU's end, and resulting in a try by Matt Fetty in the corner. Pressure was place on Dan Collins all day for conversion kicks with the majority of the Clemson scoring occurring near the touch line. The unconverted try gave Clemson the 5-3 lead at 14 minutes. Shortly thereafter, Tyler Thompson dove in from a few meters out to extend the Tigers lead to 10-3 with a failed conversion attempt. The final 15 minutes of the first half saw a lapse in structure by the Tigers as they fell into the tight play trap of KSU. Half time came with a 10-3 Clemson advantage.

The second half saw the visitors stretch the field a bit more, resulting in a try just 4 minutes into the half, giving Fetty a pair of scores, followed very quickly by an Eddie Abreu break and try opening the scoreline to 20-3 just 10 minutes in. However, 10 minutes was also all the time half time substitution Jimmy Rippert would see as he exited the game with a knee injury at the 50 minute mark. Although, it didn't halt the Clemson attack as Nick Johnson dotted down in the left corner giving Collins another extremely difficult conversion attempt which just missed again, giving the Tigers a 25-3 lead at 55m. Kennesaw took offense by staging an attack down to the Clemson 5m line and created a maul a few meters out. It appeared that Clemson came out of the maul with possession, seconds after the maul collapsed, before confusion ensued. Thompson gained possession as the referee blew his whistle to apparently penalize Clemson for collapsing the maul. Mid-whistle, Thompson cleared the ball into touch, at which time the referee awarded a penalty try to Kennesaw. All parties seemed confused as it was apparent the maul was clearly going to ground, with the Tigers in possession of the ball. How a penalty try is given to a team without possession is still a mystery. The penalty try was converted, making the score now 25-10 at 61 minutes. A strong Tiger attack once again, using width and space, resulted in another Abreu try and yet another difficult attempt for Collins. With 10 minutes remaining on the field side score board as well as the sideline clock, the referee decided his job was done, and called it final, with Clemson securing the 30-10 victory over KSU.

Man of the Match performer was Matt Fetty.

While the performance contained many positive moments, the Tigers know that there is much work to do, to compete for an ACRL title beginning at home on Feb. 25, when Clemson hosts Georgia Tech to open league play. Two tune up matches remain, beginning with a short turn around to a home match with the Greenville Griffins Friday the 27th.

CLEMSON 30(10):
Tries: Fetty (14m), Thompson (23m), Fetty (44m), Abreu (49m), Johnson (55m), Abreu (68m)
Con:
Pen:

KENNESAW STATE 10 (3):
Tries: Penalty Try (61m)
Con: #10 (1 @ 61m)
Penalty: #10 (1 @ 5m)

CLEMSON TIGERS: (15) Eddie Abreu, Jr., (14) Tyler Blaser, Sr., (13) Rion Tapp, Fr., (12) Nolan Courvell, Jr., (11) Nick Johnson, Fr., (10) Ethan Picone, Sr., (9) Tyler Thompson, Sr.; (1) Joe Keightley, Fr., (2) Dan Collins, Fr., (3) Brett Weaver, So., (4) Joey Kingerski, Sr., (5) Spencer Hutchinson, Sr., (6) Chris Disanto, Sr., (7) Ryan Sullivan, So., (8) Matt Fetty, Jr.

Subs used: Jimmy Rippert for Disanto (40m), Will Carlson for Rippert (50m), Max Simons for Keightley (60m), Tommy Evans for Kingerski (60m)


Clemson JV wins 29-10 over Kennesaw B

Clemson JV put in a great performance outlasting Kennesaw B, to round out the day with 2 wins for the Tigers in Georgia. Debutant Miles Jones opened the scoring 10 minutes in to give the Tigers a 5-0 lead, before adding his second try at 30 minutes, coupled with a Joe Williams conversion to put Clemson ahead 12-0. Kennesaw would answer at 40 minutes to tighten the score line to 12-5 going into the half.

Nathan Lutman would open the scoring only 2 minutes into the 2nd half, giving Clemson a 17-5 lead with 42 minutes played. Jeremy Hirschland got into the act at 50 minutes, scoring a converted (Williams) try to open up the Tiger lead to 24-5. 9 minutes later, Max Simons dotted down to finish the scoring for the Tigers and all but put the game out of reach at 29-5 at 59 minutes. Kennesaw had one last answer as they scored an unconverted try at 65' where the referee would again decide the game should end shortly thereafter, giving Clemson the win, and a final score of 29-10.

Notable performances include Max Simons, Andrew Clement, Tommy Evans, Australian exchange student Edward Fleetwood, Jordan Baer, Daniel Perry, and Sam Stargel.

Man of the Match performer was Andrew Clement.

CLEMSON TIGERS: (15) Steffan Friend, Jr., (14) Jimmer Fradette, Fr., (13) Daniel Perry, Jr., (12) Darion Patterson, So., (11) Sam Stargel, Fr., (10) Joe Williams, Jr., (9) Jordan Baer, Fr.; (1) Nathan Lutman, Fr., (2) Andrew Clement, Fr., (3) Max Simons, So., (4) Tommy Evans, Jr., (5) Will Carlson, Fr., (6) Miles Jones, Sr., (7) Edward Fleetwood, (8) Chris Disanto, Sr.

Subs Used: Emmanuel Couder, Jordan, Ryan Sullivan II, Jeremy Hirschland, Corey Parrott, Graeme Dreamer