The sun was brilliant, there was autumn in the air and it was Kutztown Rugby Alumni Day at Luckenbill Road. The motor homes and tailgate parties were rocking in the parking lot. The Penn State faithful joined in with their blue and white tents and grills. The banter and music could be heard as it filtered down into the bowl that would soon become the athletic arena that everyone had traveled near and far to witness. The Kutztown Rugby Nation was in attendance, as the Maroon and Gold would "Fill the Hill" from end to end and around the corner, behind the North goal post. This was Kutztown and Penn State rugby, the national game of the week and a battle for the most competitive collegiate rugby conference in America, "The Rugby East". Both teams ranked in the national top ten, no matter which poll you subscribed to and an interstate rival, like no other. 
 
The Nittany Lions kicked-off to start the contest and Kutztown advanced down field, only to lose the ball on a penalty
call. The Penn State attack was met with stiff resistance at the onset. However, another Kutztown penalty and a missed tackle put the Nittany Lions on the front foot as they eventually fought there way into the try zone at only six minutes into the game. The conversion was good and Penn State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. Kutztown eventually found there footing, when their team captain, Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) (Sr. / Johannesburg South Africa) chose to slot a penalty kick from twenty four yards out.  At the ten minute mark ; PSU 7  KU  3. The two sides slugged it out for another thirteen minutes, when Kutztown was awarded another penalty. Once again,Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) chose to take a shot at the goal post. He followed through with a powerful strike, sending the Bread of Heaven through the uprights from forty five yards away. PSU 7  KU 6 . The two rugby powerhouses then showed the spectators why the "Rugby East" is affectionately know as the "Black & Blue conference. The physicality was unprecedented, as smash mouth rugby was the order of the day. At this point in the game, Kutztown was getting the upper hand on the defensive side of the ball. As they stone walled every attacking attempt by the boys in blue and white. Eventually that form of elegant violence transferred to the Golden Bear attack. This time, Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) attacked with ball in hand and the Penn State defenders fell prey to his well executed dummy pass at the twelve yard mark, and he glided into the try zone untouched. He hit the conversion and put Kutztown on top 13 to 7. Five minutes later and Kutztown winger, Benedict Quinn (York, England) (Fr./ York England) was racing down the sideline and dotting down in the corner for another Golden Bear score. The tough corner conversion missed the mark but Kutztown was in the lead KU 18  PSU 7. The first half came to a close and each team retreated to their respective area, reviewed and strategized for the second stanza.
 
The second half started with the Golden Bears on the attack and with only eight minutes burned off of the clock, Kekoa Kauwe (Sr. / Orem Utah) Picked up a ball from behind the Kutztown scrum and darted into space and the try zone unscathed. Thorn O'Connell made the conversion and the score was KU 25  PSU 7. Then the tide turned. Penn State took advantage of a tipped kickoff in the Kutztown half and mounted an assault that led to a try but missed conversion. KU 25  PSU 12. Five minutes later, deep in Golden Bear territory, a Kutztown defender boldly tried to intercept a Nittany Lion pass. He was micro-seconds off the mark, creating a massive gap in the Kutztown line of defense. The Penn State runner took advantage of the missed attempt and raced into the try zone to touch the ball down at the fifty seven minute mark.  KU 25  PSU 19. Kutztown fought hard to hold the line and momentarily thwarted the Penn State momentum. The Golden Bears fought their way deep into the Penn State "Red Zone" and after linking several attacking phases, Brock Stinson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado) (Sr. / Colorado Springs, Colorado) found a gap and outraced the Penn State defenders to dot the ball down in the corner of the try zone. The corner conversion missed and the score stood at 
KU 30 PSU 19, with eighteen minutes left on the game clock. Penn State brought the ball down field with powerful downhill tenacity, as their attackers eventually found space outside to score and convert again. KU 30  PSU 26.
Kutztown was fighting to preserve their slim lead, while Penn State worked desperately to regain possession of the rock. Kutztown worked their way deep into the Nittany Lion red zone, only to lose possession on a penalty call. None the less, they continued to pin Penn State deep in their own territory. Eventually Penn Sate kicked downfield to relive the pressure and not only where they out of danger but they retrieved the ball when a Kutztown ball carrier was tackled deep in Golden Bear territory. Penn State was riding a massive wave of momentum, filling them with confidence and a passion to score. Score they did at the seventy six minute mark, along with the conversion kick. KU 30  PSU 33.
Now with a scant three or so minutes left in the game, Kutztown created their own attacking momentum and drove the Penn State defense to within spitting distance of their own goal posts. The Golden Bears pounded relentlessly to within inches of pay dirt when they lost possession by dropping the ball on a bone jarring tackle. Penn State regained control and kicked for touch. It was Penn State's line-out throw and with about ninety seconds remaining, it looked grim for the Golden Bears. Much to the surprise of everyone at Luckenbill Avenue, Kutztown's Cameron Thurtell (London, England) (Fr. / London, England) went high into the air and batted the Penn State throw-in to the Kutztown side. Kutztown instantly moved the ball wide across the field and down the sideline close to the try line. A few phases ensued when the ball was passed back to Thorn O'Connell standing in his fly-half position. He took the pass, then instantly and calmly scanned the opposing defense. He saw that the Nittany Lions were bunched together under the goal posts waiting for the attacking ball carriers. Then to everyones utter surprise, instead of passing the ball to attacking runners, he turned at punted the most perfect kick, toward the opposite corner of the try zone. While the ball sailed through space, Benedict Quinn (York, England) raced underneath and gathered the ball in like an NFL receiver. He ran into the try zone and touched the ball down in the corner. The entire throng of Kutztown supporters went mad with joy. Luckenbill Avenue exploded with adulation for what appeared a certain victory, snatched from the jaws of defeat. It was a bold and brilliant decision by Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe), along with  decisive play maker Benedict Quinn (York, England). Then amongst all of the celebration on the hill, some one noticed that the referee had his arm up but it wasn't to award the winning try. No, it was to award a penalty to Penn State. The referee called Benedict Quinn (York, England) offsides for being in front of the kick when it was launched. Penn State regained possession and within seconds, ran the clock out for the victory. It was a heart breaking defeat and will always go down in Kutztown rugby lore as an unending question mark, depending on who you ask, the fan in the Blue and White or the one in Maroon and Gold. So be it, kudos to every man from each team, for a massive display of rugby skills and integrity. You are all winners. What a game to behold !  FINAL SCORE PSU 33  KU 30 
RUN WITH THE BEARS !