Niagara, New York - The Bowling Green Men's Rugby Team (7-3 Overall, 5-1 MAC) have qualified for the 2025 NCR D1-AA National Play-In match this weekend after finishing runners-up in the 2025 MAC Final. BG will now travel to Niagra, New York to face Liberty Rugby Conference Runners-Up Babson (5-3 Overall, 4-2 Liberty). The match will be played at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 15th, at Niagara University.

"We know what we need to do moving forward and are excited for the continued opportunity to play this season," said Co-Captain Jacob Capel. "We are looking to make the most of the opportunity we have earned."

Bowling Green made it to the National Championship 2024 where they lost 57-14 to University of Kentucky  to finish runners-up. In order to make it back to the final, the Falcons will need to first overcome their Play-In matchup with Babson (6-2, 4-2 Liberty). The Beavers are unknown for the Falcons. BG will be on the road for this matchup and play at Niagara University. The Falcons need to start the game strong and stay focused. BG is fresh off a tough MAC Final loss and need to keep their heads up and stay focused for the full 80 minutes if they want to extend their runs in the National Tournament.

"We know what adjustments we need to make going into this next round and we know we're going against a very hungry team," said Assistant Coach Austin Morris. "We are confident in the guys that we have as long as we are able to execute the changes that we've made. I'm confident with the skills and leadership that we have, to get the job done and to keep our season going."

Last Time on the Field

Last weekend Bowling Green struck first. However, Louisville found themselves consistently in control. In a match against newfound rivals, Louisville, BGSU failed to make the comeback and lost in the 2025 MAC Final. Ultimately after 22 minutes, the Falcons scored first through Flanker Harvey Harris and a conversion by Fullback Joey Apel. However, Louisville responded quickly with 19 unanswered points to take a 19-12 lead over the Falcons. The Falcons punched back with a Try from Lock Zach Szepiela to make it 19-10. Next Louisville struck again to make it 26-10. Bowling Green made one final push scoring two consecutive tries from Flanker Lincoln Welch and then one from Tracey to make it 26-22. However, in the last 20 minutes of the game Louisville earned two penalties which they chose to go for points. Both attempts were converted to seal Louisville 32-22 MAC Final Victory. 

Milestone Markers

• BG has qualified for Nations from 1986-1988, 2001-2004, 2008-2021, 2024 and 2025.

• BG won the National Championship in 2018 under Head Coach Tony Mazzarella. 

• BG finished runners-up in the 2021 National Championship in a 31-36 loss to Tennessee.

• BG finished runners-up in the 2024 National Championship in a 57-14 loss to Kentucky.

About Babson:

This season, Babson finished 5-3 Overall and 4-2 in the Liberty Rugby Conference. The Beavers went 1-1 in the Liberty Rugby Conference Tournament to finish runners-up. To qualify for the LRC Tournament, the Beavers finished 4th on 24 points. Their season started 3-0 from a 42-22 win over Columbia, followed by a 50-0 win against Binghamton, and a 62-15 win against University at Buffalo. Their fourth win came from Niagara University forfeiting their season. In the final stretch of the season the Beavers lost to Yale 33-26 followed by UMass 29-26. In the first Round of the LRC Tournament, the Beavers defeated the No. 1 Seed Northeaster (then 6-0 Liberty) in a tight 48-47 match. In the LRC Tournament Final, the 5-3 Beavers faced the No. 2 Seed Boston College (then 6-1 Overall, 5-1 Liberty). In the final they were defeated 34-21 to LRC Tournament Champions Boston College and earned a 2025 NCR D1-AA Nationals Play-In spot against 2024 Runners-up Bowling Green.

Bowling Green vs. Babson

Niagara, New York | Niagara University Field 1

Saturday, November 15th | @ 12:00 P.M.

Up Next

Bowling Green plays for the opportunity to play Virginia Tech in the Quarterfinals on Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00 P.M. at Butler Township Field 1. This would be a rematch of the 2025 Semifinals at Penn State, where the Falcons booked themselves a ticket to the 2025 NCR Final with a 20-18 Victory. 

Follow the Falcons

Be sure to follow the Falcons Rugby team on social media for schedule updates and any information:

• Instagram: @rugbgofficial

• Facebook: BGSU Men's Rugby