Bowling Green, Ohio - The Bowling Green Men's Rugby Team (10-1, 6-0 MAC) Overcome Louisville (7-3, 5-1 MAC) in a close 34-33 victory in the MAC Final. Bowling Green reclaimed the title to win their 42nd MAC Title since 1982. BG will now host Clemson (4-2, 2-0 SCRC East) in the quarterfinals for the NCR Nationals Tournament on November 23rd, at 1 pm on the Doyt L. Perry Stadium Practice Fields.

"Would have really, really, liked to have avoided that first half if possible. But I guess if that's the way you're going to win it, you have to go through that," said Head Coach Tony Mazzarella. "So yeah, it was a pretty amazing win. Just a really good team to play against and fortunate to be going on."

The last time these two teams faced off in the MAC Tournament was the 2023 MAC Final. Louisville won 47-17, giving them their second consecutive MAC Title. However, this time, the Falcons kept fighting. Now, the Falcons have claimed a spot in the NCR 15s Nationals Tournament.

"It's great to show up and be part of a great program and win the conference in my first year. I see a lot of similarities between the MAC and the Florida Collegiate Conference, brutal physicality, a grueling long season, and nail-biters in the playoffs. I'm really proud of our team,"

said Assistant Coach Austin Morris, who just won his first MAC Title with Bowling Green after leaving Florida State. "I really gotta hand it to our guys for holding onto the belief that we would win. Weaker-minded guys would've let Louisville run away with it, but I'm proud of how we refused to let that happen. We had a few players get a ton of playing time in difficult roles, and they did incredible. Overall, I'm proud of this success, but I'm not content with it at all, and I know Tony isn't content either. We've still got work to do!"

The Falcons kicked off to start the MAC Final. However, a beautiful kick from captain Joey Apel allowed the Falcons to reclaim the ball instantly. The Falcons went on the attack, working all the way into Louisville's 22. Although the Falcons wouldn't score on the opening drive, they soon took a 3-0 lead from a penalty kick just outside the posts from Joey Apel. Louisville would then drive down the field, score, and convert from the corners to take the lead 7-3. The Falcons fought back and scored from flanker Colton Crabiel to make it 8-7 to give the Falcons the lead once again. Then Louisville took over, scoring 21 unanswered points from three tries and conversions. The Falcons did not fold, vice-captain and 8-man Phil Tracey would spark the Falcons' 21 unanswered points to reclaim the lead, 29-28, with 10 minutes to go. Prop Evan Holderer would score the second try in the run, followed by Tracey getting his second of the match. Captain Joey Apel converted on all three tries during the run. Then Louisville would score late in the second half to take a 33-29 lead. However, they failed to convert. The Falcons kicked off, then they would get the ball. It was late in the second half. BG would drive down the field, finding themselves on the goal line. After many penalties by Louisville on the goal line in borrowed time and many attempts from the forwards in goal line pick and goes, Prop Vinnie Pfahl would punch the game-winning try. The Falcon's score would mark the end of the game, reclaiming the MAC Title at home.

NOTABLES

• Falcons have now won 42 MAC Titles. 1975, 1982-2021, 2024.
• Bowling Green has been MAC Finalists 43 consecutive times starting in 1980.
• BG has won 42 of 51 (82.35%) MAC Tournaments since the tournament began in 1973.
• Head Coach Tony Mazzarella wins 14th MAC Title, second to only his father Roger Mazzarella with 23 MAC Titles.

Bowling Green (10-1, 6-0 MAC) will extend their season after qualifying for the NCR 15s National Tournament. Winning the MAC Title gave the Falcons a home game in the quarterfinals against Clemson (4-2, 2-0 SCRC East). The game will be Saturday, November 23rd at 1 pm on the Doyt L. Perry Stadium Practice Fields. Parking is in Lot L. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
1st XV
Bowling Green 34, Louisville 33

Kickoff

• Center Joey Apel scores a penalty kick (3-0)
• Louisville scores and converts (3-7)
• Flanker Colton Crabiel scores (8-7)
• Louisville scores and converts (8-14)
• Louisville scores and converts (8-21)

Halftime: (21-8)

• Louisville scores and converts (8-28)
• 8-Man Phil Tracey scores (13-28)
• Joey Apel converts (15-28)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores (20-28)
• Apel converts again (22-28)
• 8-Man Tracey scores his second of the match (27-28)
• Apel converts another (29-28)
• Louisville scores (29-33)
• Vinnie Pfahl scores (34-33)

Final Score: 34-33