By Troy Hall · NATIONALS RECAP - TOP 10 FINISH FOR YOUR CLEMSON TIGERS We're back from Nationals, and I want to take a moment to share how the weekend unfolded - an…
NATIONALS RECAP - TOP 10 FINISH FOR YOUR CLEMSON TIGERS
We're back from Nationals, and I want to take a moment to share how the weekend unfolded - and what it means for this program.
Top 10 finish in the Premier Bracket.
Not D1-AA.
The Premier Bracket - competing against some of the best-supported, best-resourced programs in the country, many of them drawing from overseas recruiting pipelines. We were one of only two programs from our conference in that bracket. Clemson and Kentucky. That context matters.
ROUND 1 - Clemson 26, Wisconsin 14
9:00am. Friday morning. No warmup to the day. Wisconsin is a tough, well-organized, physically imposing team - they defend in numbers and make you earn everything. Our boys found a way. Four tries to two. A gritty, grinding win to open the tournament on the right note.
ROUND 2 - Saint Bonaventure 24, Clemson 0
This one stung. Same opponent, same round as last year - and the same result. We came out with real intent in the opening minutes, attacking with energy and playing FAST. Then a few tight moments went against us, Bonaventure scored back-to-back tries, and we lost our footing mentally. We couldn't find our way back. Credit to them - they're a quality program. But we know we're capable of more. That's on us to fix.
ROUND 3 - Clemson 19, American International College (AIC) 12
This match had everything. Three lightning delays pushed the game deep into the day. AIC had a tough Round #1 loss to a very strong Dartmouth side in overtime - Dartmouth who went on to finish second in the entire tournament. So let's be clear about who we were facing. Physical, fast, experienced. We were tied 12-12 with no time left on the clock, we found a way to score from our own end to win 19-12. The resilience the boys showed in that moment is the kind of thing you can't manufacture. You either have it or you don't. We have it.
DAY TWO
ROUND 4 - Clemson 10, Mary Washington 0
Another varsity-level, school-supported program. Wet, slippery conditions that punished mistakes. Our boys controlled the game from start to finish - precise tackling, minimal errors, two well-taken tries, and a clean sheet. Satisfying doesn't cover it. A shutout at Nationals against a quality program is a statement.
PLATE FINAL - Brown University 14, Clemson 7
Brown had been the dominant force across the tournament. We went into the final and immediately put them under pressure - a 7-0 lead early. They pulled it back to 7-7 just before half. The second half was tight, physical, and decided on the smallest of margins. Brown scored late. We had one more shot off the kickoff. Couldn't convert. Final score: 14-7.
WHAT THIS MEANS
We are a young team. But youth is never an excuse, and we didn't use it as one. These boys competed, bounced back, showed up in big moments, and gave everything they had over two days in tough conditions against elite competition. You should be proud of these guys.
To our seniors - some of the finest people I've had the privilege of coaching. They have set a standard that will carry this program forward.
To everyone in the Clemson Rugby Network who has supported us through this season - donors, families, former players, fans - this is your program too.
Now we look ahead. Summer preparation begins, and we'll be ready when the fall season kicks off.