Lindenwood University blew by Texas A&M to win Saturday's D1A Round of 16 matchup and put the Mid-South runners up into the quarterfinals.

The Lions tested A&M at every possession, and while the Aggies were at the tackle and didn't back down, great power saw Lindenwood runners continually break out of initial tackles to make extra territory after contact. All of that defensive work wore A&M down, and Lindenwood rolled 83-12.

See Lindenwood at Saint Mary's LIVE on FloRugby April 21

Even when A&M had scoring opportunities, it was difficult to convert. The Aggies got two interceptions in the first half, and scored on just the one, as Lindenwood's cover defense responded, and the Aggies couldn't get bodies to the ball.

"I'd say we worked really hard to force that first interception, so maybe we were too tired to finish it off," said A&M head coach James Lowrey.

Nick Feakes capped off some excellent work from the forwards to score and convert the first two Lindenwood tries. Hooker Gabriel Romero scored the third, and after A&M captain Braeden Hood took his interception to the house. (It was a symbol of the day for A&M that Ross Navarro's conversion attempt hit the post.) Lindenwood flanker Michael De Waal finished the half with a try to make it 33-5 at the break.

With the wind at their backs, the Aggies might have thought to kick and work a territorial game. But frustration at not getting reward for their efforts started to creep into the A&M play. Forcing the issue didn't help, and Lindenwood started to play wider.

Ironically, it was a halftime commitment by the Lindenwood players not to force a wide game that made it happen. 

"It's OK to make 25 meters on a run, and get tackled; we can recycle and go again," said center Lorenzo Thomas, who was monstrous on the day.

It worked. The tries kept coming, and while A&M scored one more late, it was a long afternoon for the Red River champs.

"We felt pretty good at halftime, but we needed to work on the simple things and earn the right to go out wide, and we accomplished that," said lock Jack Huckstepp.

"We just needed to build more pressure and be a lot more patient with the ball," added flyhalf Andreas Livadaras. "That last 20 minutes showed the work we've been doing week-in, week-out."

For his part, Lowrey said his team worked hard. "We do have the athletes, but maximizing the potential is key. They do have a daily training environment and we're a club team, but that excuse is getting old. We're better for playing this game. But we also need to be better with our fitness and our IQ. It's our decision-making that can finish off chances."

No. 8 Wes White was very difficult to step and Christian Rodriguez punished A&M's attempts to kick for territory. Romero at the hooker position was active and had a big day, also. Lindenwood now gets to travel to California to see Saint Mary's, and a much sterner test.

Lindenwood 83
Tries: Feakes 2, Romero, Chapman 2, De Waal 2, Livadara, White, Burns, Huckstepp, Parker, Thomas
Convs: Feakes 5, Livadaras 4

Texas A&M 14
Tries: Hood, Navarro
Convs: Navarro 1