Bowling Green State University Athletics
No. 7 BGSU Men’s Club Rugby Set for National Title Showdown with No. 1 Tennessee
December 10, 2025 | General
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – For the second year in a row, the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) club men's rugby team is one win away from national glory as the Falcons prepare to face Tennessee in the 2025 Division I-AA National Championship. The title match kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday at SaberCats Stadium in Houston, Texas, and will stream live via subscription on The Rugby Network. This is a rematch of the 2021 National Championship game in which the Volunteers won.
Live score updates will be made on the BGSU Club Sports Instagram, @bgsuclubsports, which will be cross posted to Facebook stories as well. Also, Halftime and Final scores will be cross posted to both Instagram and Facebook main feeds.
The championship stage was set after both teams emerged victorious in their national semifinal matchups this past weekend. Tennessee powered past Texas A&M in Knoxville, earning a 35–10 win, while Bowling Green outlasted Louisville 26–21 in a dramatic, bruising battle in Butler, Pa.
This year's championship brings together two of the most consistent and formidable programs in the NCR Division I-AA landscape: the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 7 Bowling Green Falcons. UT arrives in Houston as a conference champion—Tennessee out of the Southern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) and BGSU fell to Louisville in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament.
Tennessee (10-0) has powered through the 2025 campaign with a dominant, disciplined approach, entering the final with a sparkling record and the confidence of a team that has handled every challenge thrown its way. Bowling Green, meanwhile, is chasing its second national title and first since 2018, carrying a 10-3 mark into the championship after a season built on toughness, cohesion, and timely execution.
The Falcons surged through the postseason with statement wins, including a 55-3 win over Babson College, followed by a quarterfinal win over Virginia Tech (71-24) and a semifinal win over Louisville (26-21), which overcame a loss to the Cardinals in the MAC Tournament. Those performances showcased BGSU's trademark resilience and ability to close out tense, high-pressure contests.
How Bowling Green Reached Houston
The Falcons' semifinal win was a true test of discipline, resilience, and late-game composure. The opening 15 minutes against Louisville were chaotic and physical, with both sides exchanging tries and yellow cards. Louisville No. 8 Matthew Kramer scored just 90 seconds in, only for BGSU lock Zach Szepiela to respond minutes later. Discipline became a storyline early—Cardinals wing Amarreon McLaurin was sent off for a high tackle, and Bowling Green No. 8 Evan Holderer also saw a yellow for a breakdown infraction.
BGSU fullback Joseph Apel put the Falcons ahead with a penalty kick late in the first half, giving Bowling Green an 8–7 lead at the break. Just minutes into the second half, Holderer punched in a try to extend the lead, and Apel added another penalty to make it 16–7.
The closing minutes turned into controlled chaos. Three more yellow cards were shown—two to Bowling Green and one to Louisville—as the Cardinals stormed back to tie the match at 21–21. But in the 83rd minute, with the season on the line, reserve flanker Joseph Harris crashed over the line for the match-winning try, securing BGSU's return to the national championship for the second straight year.
Tennessee's Statement Semifinal
In Knoxville, UT wasted no time imposing its will on Texas A&M. The Volunteers stormed to a 21–0 lead in the first half hour, fueled by tries from prop Aidan O'Connor, wing Aiden Castette, and reserve flanker Ted Naeher, all converted by fullback Vincent Keller. A&M managed only a penalty kick from fullback Carim Ciblis Daher before halftime, and Tennessee carried a commanding 21–3 advantage into the locker room.
The Aggies briefly threatened to climb back into the match when Nathan Sieberhagen scored just after the break. But Tennessee quickly extinguished that momentum with back-to-back scores: a try from openside flanker Harold Hacker, followed by a penalty try that sealed the Volunteers' place in Houston.
A Legacy at Stake
Both teams carry rich histories, though of very different kinds. Bowling Green brings one of the most decorated traditions in collegiate club rugby, including 42 MAC championships since 1982 and a national title in 2018.
The Stage Is Set
With Tennessee chasing its first crown and Bowling Green looking to reclaim championship glory, fans can expect an 80-minute battle filled with physicality, precision, and intensity. Two of the nation's elite programs will collide in Houston, and the 2025 Men's DI-AA title hangs in the balance.
How to Follow
Can't make it to the game - watch it on a streaming service. Click: https://tv.ncr.rugby/ and the cost is $8.99. ALSO - there will be a watch party at Brewing Green Downtown at 322 N Grove St. The watch party begins at 12 p.m.
Live score updates will be made on the BGSU Club Sports Instagram, @bgsuclubsports, which will be cross posted to Facebook stories as well. Also, Halftime and Final scores will be cross posted to both Instagram and Facebook main feeds.
The championship stage was set after both teams emerged victorious in their national semifinal matchups this past weekend. Tennessee powered past Texas A&M in Knoxville, earning a 35–10 win, while Bowling Green outlasted Louisville 26–21 in a dramatic, bruising battle in Butler, Pa.
This year's championship brings together two of the most consistent and formidable programs in the NCR Division I-AA landscape: the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 7 Bowling Green Falcons. UT arrives in Houston as a conference champion—Tennessee out of the Southern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) and BGSU fell to Louisville in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament.
Tennessee (10-0) has powered through the 2025 campaign with a dominant, disciplined approach, entering the final with a sparkling record and the confidence of a team that has handled every challenge thrown its way. Bowling Green, meanwhile, is chasing its second national title and first since 2018, carrying a 10-3 mark into the championship after a season built on toughness, cohesion, and timely execution.
The Falcons surged through the postseason with statement wins, including a 55-3 win over Babson College, followed by a quarterfinal win over Virginia Tech (71-24) and a semifinal win over Louisville (26-21), which overcame a loss to the Cardinals in the MAC Tournament. Those performances showcased BGSU's trademark resilience and ability to close out tense, high-pressure contests.
How Bowling Green Reached Houston
The Falcons' semifinal win was a true test of discipline, resilience, and late-game composure. The opening 15 minutes against Louisville were chaotic and physical, with both sides exchanging tries and yellow cards. Louisville No. 8 Matthew Kramer scored just 90 seconds in, only for BGSU lock Zach Szepiela to respond minutes later. Discipline became a storyline early—Cardinals wing Amarreon McLaurin was sent off for a high tackle, and Bowling Green No. 8 Evan Holderer also saw a yellow for a breakdown infraction.
BGSU fullback Joseph Apel put the Falcons ahead with a penalty kick late in the first half, giving Bowling Green an 8–7 lead at the break. Just minutes into the second half, Holderer punched in a try to extend the lead, and Apel added another penalty to make it 16–7.
The closing minutes turned into controlled chaos. Three more yellow cards were shown—two to Bowling Green and one to Louisville—as the Cardinals stormed back to tie the match at 21–21. But in the 83rd minute, with the season on the line, reserve flanker Joseph Harris crashed over the line for the match-winning try, securing BGSU's return to the national championship for the second straight year.
Tennessee's Statement Semifinal
In Knoxville, UT wasted no time imposing its will on Texas A&M. The Volunteers stormed to a 21–0 lead in the first half hour, fueled by tries from prop Aidan O'Connor, wing Aiden Castette, and reserve flanker Ted Naeher, all converted by fullback Vincent Keller. A&M managed only a penalty kick from fullback Carim Ciblis Daher before halftime, and Tennessee carried a commanding 21–3 advantage into the locker room.
The Aggies briefly threatened to climb back into the match when Nathan Sieberhagen scored just after the break. But Tennessee quickly extinguished that momentum with back-to-back scores: a try from openside flanker Harold Hacker, followed by a penalty try that sealed the Volunteers' place in Houston.
A Legacy at Stake
Both teams carry rich histories, though of very different kinds. Bowling Green brings one of the most decorated traditions in collegiate club rugby, including 42 MAC championships since 1982 and a national title in 2018.
The Stage Is Set
With Tennessee chasing its first crown and Bowling Green looking to reclaim championship glory, fans can expect an 80-minute battle filled with physicality, precision, and intensity. Two of the nation's elite programs will collide in Houston, and the 2025 Men's DI-AA title hangs in the balance.
How to Follow
Can't make it to the game - watch it on a streaming service. Click: https://tv.ncr.rugby/ and the cost is $8.99. ALSO - there will be a watch party at Brewing Green Downtown at 322 N Grove St. The watch party begins at 12 p.m.
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