Penn State proved difficult hosts in the D1A Round of 16, as the NIttany Lions defeated Arizona 51-34 in a game that was in Penn State's after a strong mid 40.

Arizona looked to bring a nice combination of pace and power, but Penn State was very strong at the set piece, and finished off a series of early movements. Kevin Trotter opened the scoring, and Jimmy Ronan's penalty made it 8-0 early.

Arizona replied, and the game was still very close, 8-5, after 25 minutes. But a well-taken team try by Brian Stella in the corner nudged Penn State further ahead, and then the Lions started rolling. Trotter, and then Ryan McNulty went over to make it 25-5 at the break.

Mike Eife, and McNulty again, scored early in the second half, and after 50 minutes Penn State led 37-5.

Arizona picked it up, and finished strong, showcasing some of the rugby that got them here in the first place. They scored off a maul, and put Dante Weeks scored on a brilliant run to get Arizona within 20. But it was way too late. Tries from Stella and Brendan La Galludec capped it off for Penn State. 

However, it was a rough ending for the Lions, with Stella getting a red card for a dangerous tackle. Arizona flyhalf Anton Grigoriou jumped to get the ball, Stella grabbed his legs, and Grigorious flipped a little before Stella let him go. It was a reckless challenge for sure, and Stella got a red card, which will likely see him take a seat for next week.

"Hats off to Arizona, they kept playing a full 80," said Penn State head coach Justin Hundley. "But we're moving on to the next round, and that was our approach. We talked to the guys about starting the game well, which is something we struggled with in the fall. We dropped the opening kickoff, but after that we got into our game."

Hundley moved Malcolm May in to lock from flanker and the move paid dividends. 

"I thought our scrum did really well, which has been an area of focus for us," said the coach. "The guys up front got a good, solid platform for our backs. The guys have done well and worked hard in between season to get ready for the spring."

Penn State 51
Tries: Trotter 2, Stella 2, McNulty 2, Eife, La Galludec
Convs: Ronan 4
Pens: Ronan

Arizona 34
Tries: Hudson, Teles, Biggs 2, Weeks
Convs: Grigoriou 2