The University of Arizona got four tries from Dante Weeks and two from scrumhalf Matt Rogers to dispatch Grand Canyon University 53-22 on Friday in Phoenix, AZ.

This was the first-ever D1A game for GCU, which will follow an independent schedule this winter and spring, while for Arizona this was an important warmup for the PAC Rugby Conference season.

"It was an ideal game for us in that we did some really good things — we won but also the things we’ve been talking about as work-ons were evident," Arizona head coach Sean Duffy said. "It gave us real-world examples of what we’ve been talking about."

"It was a good game for us, challenging. GCU had a good atmosphere and I am really glad they're in D1A."

Weeks was a dangerous speedster on the wing for Wildcats, scoring with individual breaks, with the kick-and-chase, and by being set up by his teammates. With Rogers directing the offense nicely and torching the Antelopes for two, the Wildcats were comfortably ahead in the first half and cruised.

"Dante and Matt were a big part of our sevens success in the fall, and they're showing how the development side of sevens can pay off," Duffy said.

Our 1st Photo of the Week for the season is Dante Weeks receiving his @aarugby certificate. Well done Dante! pic.twitter.com/DkHSiBhjN3

— AZWildcatRugby (@AZWildcatRugby) September 9, 2015

For GCU head coach Cameron Wyper, this was simply the start of a journey. 

"We’ve got a really tough schedule, and I like that," he said. "When you come into D1A as an independent, you want to play top teams, the guys above us in the rankings. We've got some really good players, and we're jumping in the deep end."

Suwaiter Poch was solid at hooker for GCU. The former High School All-American is back playing after a bit of a break and scored a try for the 'Lopes. 

"Suwaiter's got a really good attitude, and he's a great kid to have in the program," Wyper said.

Grand Canyon sophomore Roddy Hamilton has emerged as a force and was vice captain for the day.

For Arizona, along with Rogers and Weeks, lock Sean Coleman got a full day's work done in the breakdowns and on defense, while hooker Zach Biggs was spot-on with this lineout throws. The former Penn High School (IN) captain also caused GCU problems with the ball in hand.

Arizona also benefited from former USA men's 15s national team coach Mike Tolkin, who was in camp with the Wildcats and worked on several aspects of their defensive and offensive game.

"He was really helpful," Duffy said. "Clarified some things, helped all over, and was really a great addition to our camp. We needed that. We needed to be more efficient."

Next up for Arizona is a February 3 conference clash with UCLA — a crucial one as both teams look at playoff possibilities. GCU gets right back at it next week with a game at San Diego State.