During August and September, when schedules were being reviewed, numerous calendars across the country, including a few in Annapolis and University Park, ended up with circles around Nov. 4. That day has finally come.

When the clock strikes 1 tomorrow afternoon, most of collegiate rugby's attention will be focused on Penn State's Flower Garden pitch.

Those eyes will be focused on a match with national implications, as No. 2 Navy sails into Happy Valley to face the No. 3 Penn State men's rugby team in the battle for East Coast supremacy.

For more than two months, these two Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) rivals have been on a collision course for one another. Both enter the match with undefeated records -- come 3:15ish, only one will remain unscathed.

"Whenever we get together it's always a very physical, a very intense match, with a lot of emotion," Penn State coach Don Ferrell said. "This year's gonna be no different."

And with Penn State taking the last three head-to-head matchups, expect Navy's emotions to be higher than ever.

"We've had a lot of luck against them these past couple years, so I know they're gonna be hungry," Ferrell said.

In addition to winning three consecutive matches against Navy, Penn State has also taken the last two regular season MARFU titles. That, too, will be up for grabs.

"Regular season league title, top seed in the league tournament held in the spring, national rankings, and bragging rights are all on the line," Ferrell said.

Both teams are coming off of impressive performances and are in top form.

Navy arrives in University Park on the tail of its 72-0 drubbing of Loyola -- a team the Ruggers defeated 50-10.

Meanwhile, Penn State is coming off of a big win of its own, with a 49-0 shutout of No. 12 Ohio State. Navy defeated the Buckeyes, 43-10.

Penn State's last victory saw numerous starters return from injury, and the Ruggers will receive another boost as they expect All-America captain Auggie Manelick back. Still, Ferrell knows the challenges that lie ahead.

"They play a similar style to us in a lot of respects," Ferrell said. "We're gonna have to be very aggressive, very sharp, and gonna have to go for 80 minutes. The big thing about the academies are that they're fit. They work out constantly, and they're very fit. You can't let down for one second or start to feel uncomfortable or start feeling sorry."