For four years, the trademark blue-and-white uniforms have been used to intimidate opponents.

Tomorrow, those same uniforms will be used to wipe away tears when one of the most influential classes in the history of Penn State rugby says goodbye.

"It is a little overwhelming," center and team captain Tim Ryland said. "But it will be something special to step on that field for the last time with such a great bunch of guys."

In all, 23 seniors will play the final home match of their college careers when the top-seeded Ruggers (10-3, 5-0 MARFU) meet Princeton in the opening round of the Mid Atlantic Rugby Football Union tournament.

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. tomorrow at either Holuba Hall or, weather permitting, the West Campus Field.

"It is hard to explain what it will feel like to be on this campus, in this uniform, for the last time," scrumhalf Mike Petri said. "We have put so much time and so much effort into this program that it will be difficult to accept."

Petri, a three-time All-American, is one of many standouts from a class that has vaulted the Ruggers into the national spotlight and as high as a No. 2 ranking this season.

"This is a great group that has done great things for this program," Penn State head coach Don Ferrell said. "They are a huge part of our success, and we appreciate all they have done."

Since 2003, the unwavering devotion and determination of this group is a big reason why Penn State has continued to progress into one of the elite collegiate rugby squads in the country.

An impressive regular-season record and numerous postseason honors -- including three straight national tournament appearances (2003 to present) and two MARFU titles (2003 and 2005) -- only begin to illustrate the overall impact of this class.

At its core is a deeply rooted friendship that has paved the way for the seniors' on-field success. Driven by the constant pursuit of winning a national championship has transformed these one-time teammates into a band of brothers.

"We are more than teammates, we are best friends," Ryland said. "We are completely there for each other. We sweat and bleed for each other on the field."

It is this unrelenting focus and love for the game that assures the Ruggers will not get wrapped up in all the Senior Day hoopla.

Limping into the playoffs with a lackluster 1-3 record this semester, Penn State will look to right the ship and send its seniors off with a win against the Tigers tomorrow.

To do so, the squad's dynamic offense will need to execute crisply while its signature defense -- which has been hit or miss recently -- will need to pressure the Princeton attack into mistakes.

One thing you can count on, however, is that no matter how high the emotions or how sweet the memories, the Ruggers will be all business until the final whistle blows.

"Maybe when the match is over, I will look at the scoreboard and finally realize," Petri said. "But for now, it is just another game."