Penn State men's rugby is one of the premier college rugby programs in the country. Yet one accolade is still missing from its resume -- a national championship. This year's squad will look to fill that void when it heads to the Final Four next weekend.

On May 5, No. 3 Penn State (16-3, 9-0 MARFU) will face No. 2 Brigham Young (13-0) in the semifinals of the USA Rugby National Championship Tournament. The highly anticipated match will be held at Stanford's Steuber Rugby Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif.

As the biggest weekend of the season approaches, the Ruggers are preparing with the right mixture of excitement and perspective.

"These boys are still hungry," head coach Don Ferrell said. "We are pleased and proud to be in this situation, but we haven't won anything yet. Our goal is to win a national title."

The Ruggers, making their ninth Final Four appearance in school history, will have the opportunity to win the rugby program's first national championship against some familiar foes.

When Penn State and BYU step on the pitch together in one week, it will be the third meeting between the two squads in the past year.

This budding rivalry was kick-started in the first round of the 2005 National Championship Tournament as the Cougars outlasted the Ruggers in hard-fought battle, 44-35. The second contest, which took place earlier this season, wasn't as close as BYU cruised to a 42-10 victory.

If Penn State can survive the Cougars' speed and agility, it will advance to the national title match for the fifth time ever and the first since 2001. On May 6, the squad will put it all on the line against either No. 5 Utah or No. 1 California. Utah defeated Penn State earlier this season in a match that saw the Ruggers put up a fight before ultimately losing, 28-13.

As for Cal, it has played the role of the Ruggers' tormenting older brother since 1996. In Penn State's four trips to the final match (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001), it has faced the Golden Bears on all four appearances. And in all four matches, the squad has been unable to keep the score close against the perennial west-coast powerhouse.

To some, this entire situation might seem daunting. To the Ruggers, they are relishing in it.

"Obviously, we are super excited. It is a great opportunity for us to have another shot at BYU and show everyone that we are a much better team," captain and inside centre Tim Ryland said.

Penn State's defense, once again, will be the key to victory. Last weekend, the squad allowed just 11 points in the first and second rounds against California-Davis and Dartmouth. With the level of competition getting tougher and tougher, the Ruggers will need to continue playing their type of game in order to be the last team standing.

"We have improved in every contest this year, with Dartmouth being our best match of the season," Ferrell said. "If we can continue to improve and play our type of defense, I like our chances."