D1A Rugby

Watch: Life U Hosts Clemson On Quest For 3-Peat

Watch: Life U Hosts Clemson On Quest For 3-Peat

In their first home cup match of the year, the Running Eagles will host Clemson as they march on in their quest for a 3-peat.

Feb 4, 2020 by Alex Rees
Watch: Life U Hosts Clemson On Quest For 3-Peat

The Life University Running Eagles have reloaded once again in 2020, as they aim to become the first team to win three straight D1A national titles. 

Following a nervy, 24-19 win in the fall over a gritty Navy side, Life sits at 1-0 in the Mid-South standings, undoubtedly the nation's toughest conference. 

Their second conference test will be Saturday at home against Clemson, in a game many would expect Life to handle without too much trouble. 

Watch Life vs Clemson LIVE on FloRugby | Feb. 8th | 1:00 PM (ET)

But, as alluded to before, there are no cakewalks in the Mid-South, and one can be assured Life will treat this game in the same exact way they approach a Cal or a Lindenwood. 

No Signs Of Rust

Though Life hasn't played in too many games yet this year, they still appear to be as ruthless and efficient as years-gone-by. Last week's 61-0 win over Rugby ATL's reserve side, 404, is an indicator that the Running Eagles are catching their stride just in time for the spring. 


Despite losing some huge pieces from last year's team, Life's first few games of the season, which also include a 56-47 victory over North American Rugby Academy and a 60-0 win vs Colorado in October, demonstrate they have the goods to once again push for another championship. 

Familiar Faces Leading The Way

Life may have lost a number of major contributors this offseason like Mitch Wilson, Duncan Van Schalkwyk, Jamie Berrisford, Harley Wheeler, Mike Islava, and Julian Montes, but they won't be short on leadership in 2020. 


Plenty of key faces from the last two championship runs return, including All-Americans Brian Muntanga, Ryan Rees, George Phelan, Justin Johnson, Connor Mooneyham, and Kareem Odeh, as well as Daemon Torres, Nikey and Julian Roberts, Kegan Sparks, and Matthew Mairowitz, all of whom could easily be All-Americans in their own right. 

The core of veterans returning should pay dividends for Life both on and off the field. 

New Faces Set To Make An Impact

While there are plenty of strong returning players to be excited about if you're a Life fan, there are also quite a few guys set to be unleashed in 2020 that will make a huge impact. 

No. 8 Chase Schor Haskin has had a tough run of injuries the past couple of years, but the highly-talented and athletic back rower looks poised to break out this year. 


Flying winger Darrell Williams, who was very impressive for Atlanta Old White 7s this summer at Club Nationals, joins the squad and adds some serious firepower to the outside. 

Freshman Elijah Billips is already looking quite strong at the flanker position, and once Kegan Sparks returns from injury, the Running Eagles could potentially have the best back row in the country. 

The Road Won't Be Easy

A nice mixture of experience and new blood could make Life the team to beat again in 2020, but they'll have to get through the likes of Lindenwood, Arkansas State, Davenport, Navy, and Clemson first. 

Arkansas State and Navy both reached the quarterfinals a year ago, and it took a late Life comeback to get through Lindenwood in the semifinals, so each and every week in the Mid-South will be a dog fight. 

However, if there is a team that's proven it can navigate a brutal schedule the past few years, it's Life. It all continues this Saturday in Marietta against Clemson. 

Watch Life vs Clemson LIVE on FloRugby | Feb. 8th | 1:00 PM (ET)