Coach Don Ferrell feels the Penn State men's rugby team is talented enough to finish No. 1.
The Ruggers finished 2-1 in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) tournament in the spring, finishing second behind Navy. The season ended with a loss to BYU in the playoff semifinals.

"I feel good," Ferrell said.

"We have some talented young kids on the squad. It is going to be a strong group effort."

Ferrell may have lost some seniors, but he feels his strong recruiting class will combine with a solid corps of veterans to make a formidable team.

The coach added that, so far, all signs are positive surrounding the team, and he likes the Ruggers' chances to compete.

Team captain and All-American Nic Grala agrees.

"I am very optimistic," Grala said. "We have the experience. We are aiming for a top-two seed in the spring tournament, and I feel we could be No. 1."

Penn State's Nov. 10 road match against Navy. -- the No. 1 seed and champion in the MARFU tournament in the spring -- stands out on the
fall schedule for the Ruggers.

"We are taking this season one game at a time," Grala said. "The Navy match, however, is one we are looking forward to. That is the climax of the fall season. We just have to try and not lose focus during the rest of the season."

A new aspect to this season will be a new league.

The MARFU league has been split with Penn State and other powerful teams forming Division I.
"It used to be just one league with all the teams jumbled together," Ferrell said.

"There were a lot of games that were not close. It really was not good for anyone."

The Ruggers open their fall season at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow against Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the East Field Pitch.

"If you believe you belong at the top, then you have to go for it," Ferrell said.

"And that is what we are going to do."