As Ohio State comes to town, the Penn State Ruggers prepare for a long-awaited rematch.

But beating the Buckeyes won't be the main focus of the Ruggers.

"I'm still trying to fill the A-side," head coach Don Ferrell said. "I'm excited to see who steps it up and gets on that side."

Senior flanker Steve Hurley estimated that six guys were going out for three spots at flanker. This and other position battles will be fought out over the next few weeks before league play begins.

Though the players feel the added pressure of earning spots, junior prop Scott Hills said not having a set lineup drives them even more.

Once the lineup is set, the Ruggers will have to get in synch with each other and play as a unit, which simply takes time.

And that is what they are running low on.

Penn State has only five matches left before it begins league play, but Hills couldn't care less. He counts every game like it matters, even though these matches have no effect on who gets to the national tournament.

Although excited for a match with Ohio State, the Ruggers are looking forward to opening league play with one of their fiercest opponents -- Navy.

"Penn State-Ohio State factor will be in the back of our minds, for sure," Hills said, "but Navy is our real rival."

Navy is the biggest competition the Ruggers have in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union. And this season, the two kick off their regular season campaigns against each other here on Sept. 27.

Despite the upcoming match against the Buckeyes, the Ruggers don't see it as a heated rivalry.

"They're in the Mid-West Union, we're Mid-Atlantic," Hurley said. "Every time we play it is fun cause it's Penn State and Ohio State, but in the end we play in entirely different divisions."

This Saturday the Buckeyes will be joined by Maryland and University of Maryland-Baltimore County for a busy day of rugby in Happy Valley. All of Penn State's four sides will see some action as the Ruggers prepare for their first league match three weeks from then.

Though Hurley didn't play in last season's loss in Columbus, he sensed the Ruggers have a chip on their shoulder and will play a fierce match with the Buckeyes.

He also senses his coach's gaze every time they are on the field.

"He let's us know he's always watching," Hurley said. "A lot of guys are competing for only a few spots, so it's pretty intense. Ultimately, it's the best thing for Penn State."

Hills and the Ruggers have been waiting for a rematch with Ohio State for a year now.

Last season the Ruggers lost a tough game to Ohio State in a match that junior fullback Mike Doyle would like to forget.

"We came in overconfident," Doyle said. "It was sad. We got better throughout the year but played them early on. Honestly, I'm trying to forget about it."