Life University booked its place in the D1A final with a dominating performance in defeating Penn State 69-14 Saturday in Marietta, GA.

Played before a packed house at Lupo Family Field, the D1A semi featured a Penn State team that had defeated BYU in Provo the week before, and a Life team that had won convincingly against just about everyone it had faced.

And the trend continued against Penn State. Life looked to move the ball quickly and scored within 70 seconds of kickoff, with flyhalf Duncan van Schalkwyk finishing off a nifty backline sequence. Van Schalkwyk converted his own try, and Life was off and running. 

Wing Harley Wheeler's break set up a power run from try-scoring hooker Brian Muntanga. A maul from a lineout dragged lock Jamie Berrisford over, and then another maul put Muntanga over and it was 24-0. Then Life unveiled a snappy move off another lineout. As the Running Eagles set up the maul, and at the same time ran some runners around to the open side, Muntanga, who had thrown in at the lineout, stayed right by the sideline.

All eyes were on the maul and the runners on the open side, and that allowed scrumhalf Ryan Rees to zip the ball to Muntanga, who claimed his hat trick.

Penn State got one back with flanker Peter Jean working his way over, but Life continued to race on. Fullback George Phelan had a superb game on attack and raced in for another try. Muntanga scored off an overthrown lineout, and that made it 41-7 at halftime.

The second half slowed down a little for Life, and Penn State did get a well-taken try from lock Ryan McNulty, who galloped in from long range. But Penn State struggled to win the contact area, and Life's speed of pass and directness of running was too much.

Life now looks ahead to its sixth straight D1A final, but this one will be the first not against Saint Mary's. The Running Eagles will face the winner of Cal and Lindenwood.

For Penn State, it was a difficult end to an outstanding season. Jimmy Ronan had a strong game at scrumhalf, and Mike Eife continued to impress, but the Rugby East champs bow out.

Life 69
Tries: Muntanga 4, Phelan, Van Schalkwyk, Koroi, Johnson, Rees, Riekena, Berrisford
Convs: Van Schalkwyk 3, Wilson 4

Penn State 14
Tries: Jean, McNulty
Convs: Ronan 2