SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The seventh-ranked and the USA Rugby Division 1A East Conference champion Kutztown University men's rugby team finished its fall season in style, shutting out Notre Dame 59-0 Sunday afternoon in South Bend, Ind.
 
The Golden Bears (7-1 overall) broke through in the 17th minute when Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) slipped through a gap to score under the posts for the match's first points.
 
The Irish threatened four times during the first half, well inside the KU 22, but would lose the ball due to the pressure of the KU line speed. Flanker Daquan Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Conestoga) scored twice. Inside center Brock Stinson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado) also dotted down in the first half as Kutztown took a 26-0 lead into halftime.
 
The second half saw D'Montae Noble (Falls Church, Va./George Mason) score two quick, back-to-back try's from the scrum-half position. Captain Gerald Lowe (Pretoria, South Africa/Die Hoerskool Menlopark) scored on a bruising run of 25 yards. Winger Jake Rice (West Chester, Pa./West Chester Rustin) capped the scoring with two try's. O'Connell slotted home seven-of-nine conversions.