Last Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins, the Penn State men's rugby team needed a win to not only secure the No. 2 seed in the spring playoffs, but also to regain momentum heading into the winter practice season.

Consider both missions accomplished.

Scoring early and often, the Ruggers dominated the Terrapins 66-0 to end the regular season on the upswing. Seven different Ruggers scored in the contest.

"This is the first time this year that the team really played a full 80 minutes," said assistant coach Don Ferrell.

"I'm proud of these guys."

Flyhalf Dominic Mara kicked off the scoring tear with a try minutes into the game off a run-and-post by eightman Jason Fisher.

Mara ended with two tries, as did center Justin Ingram and winger Alessio Cardillo, to lead the Ruggers' attack.

Also chipping in for Penn State were hooker Kevin Olsen, prop Mike McGeachy, scrumhalf Tim Ryland, and fullback Chris Staples. Good, tight passing series and running through holes in the Terrapin defense set up many scores.

"All (of us) played well," McGeachy said.

"We communicated excellently and we executed close to perfect. It's a pity that this was the last game of the regular season."

Penn State dominated in scrums and lineouts, which were concerns earlier in the season.

The Ruggers twice stole the Terrapins ball in scrums.

In rucking, the team held on to the ball, giving few turnovers and chances for the Terrapins to set up offensively.

Though the Ruggers dominated ball possession and were not forced to play defense much, when the Terrapins did manage to have the ball, they were met with a tenacious defensive force.

"We played really disciplined on defense," head coach Terry Ryland said.

"We attacked them well and really pushed them around."

With a 40-0 halftime lead, the Ruggers utilized the second half to rest some players and give other ones a chance to play against A-side league competition.

The second half was also marked by a tougher, more physical Terrapin defense and growing frustration on Maryland's side.

After several tries by Penn State, Terrapin players began shouting expletives at each other.

Toward the end of the game, after a tackle by Maryland out of bounds to stop play, a Terrapin player slammed a Rugger to the ground and began a small shouting-shoving match in an obvious show of Maryland beginning to lose their composure.

The win against Maryland should shore up the Ruggers' No. 2 seed in the spring MARFU tournament.

Only Towson would have to lose to league power Navy for that to end up happening.

"I don't think of us here really have a problem with being No.2," McGeachy said.

"We'll just prepare this winter and go for it in March."