With the rugby team leading 15-10 late in the game against longtime rival Ohio State, senior Scott Davis lined up for a 35-yard penalty kick that, if converted, would seal the victory for Penn State. Luckily for Penn State, Davis had a secret weapon.
"A friend of mine gave me some mind exercises to help me relax," Davis said. "I envisioned myself on a beach."
The relaxed Davis calmly nailed the penalty kick, sending Penn State to an 18-10 win over Ohio State this past Sunday. The victory also enabled the Lions to advance to the semifinals of the Midwest Championships, which will be played this weekend.
"It (the victory over Ohio State) is the biggest win for us in the last two years," senior Mike Underhill said. "Ohio State has been our nemesis in the Midwest."
Interestingly enough, Penn State almost didn't make it to the match against Ohio State. In their first-round game of the Midwest Championships, the Lions had to overcome a 6-3 halftime deficit to defeat the upstart Bearcats of Cincinnati, 18-15.
Sunday's match also saw the Lions fall behind early, as Ohio State converted two penalty kicks to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Penn State got on the scoreboard with a Davis penalty kick to cut Ohio State's lead to 6-3 at the half.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half were a defensive struggle, with neither team able to mount much offense. Then came "the play."
In an attempt to catch Penn State off guard, Ohio State punted. Lion senior Alec Acosta, fielded the punt on a fly and scampered 70 yards for the try, leaving three Ohio State defenders in his dust. Davis converted the extra point, giving Penn State a 9-6 lead.
"That (play by Acosta) really turned us around," senior co-captain Pete Karmilowicz said.
Ohio State promptly answered the try by Acosta with a try of their own. Although the Buckeyes failed to convert the extra point, they had regained the lead at 10-9, a lead they would hold until late in the game.
With 10 minutes left in the contest, Penn State drove deep into Buckeye territory. Davis gave the Lions the lead for good, when he plowed through a couple of Ohio State tacklers en route to the end zone. He also converted the extra point to give Penn State a 15-10 lead.
Davis iced the game moments later with his clutch 35-yard penalty kick and the game ended at 18-10 in Penn State's favor. The New Hope native scored 14 of the Lions 18 points.
There were many keys to the victory. Karmilowicz believes that the physical condition of the Lions was one of them.
"There was a lot of kicking in the game which tired both teams out," Karmilowicz said. "We were in better shape than they were."
Although the win over Ohio State was one of great proportions, there is still unfinished business for the Lions. This weekend the Lions will make a return trip to Columbus, Ohio for a match with an up-and-coming Notre Dame team in the semifinals of the Midwest Championships.
If Penn State can get by the Fighting Irish, a team they beat last year, they will probably draw Bowling Green in the finals, with the winner advancing to the National Collegiate Rugby Championships.
Although he knows that a tough road still lies ahead, Penn State's victory over Ohio State has Underhill believing that this season just might be a season of destiny for the Lions.
"We overcame a major stumbling block in beating Ohio State," Underhill said. "I truly believe that we'll go to nationals."
