DIII Men's Regional Rivalries Revived

The Men's DIII regional playoffs wrapped up with captivating finales, as Holy Cross, Franciscan, Slippery Rock, and New Mexico Tech all punched their tickets to the National Championship in Houston. Holy Cross mounted a remarkable 36-28 comeback against #3 Nichols, erasing an early two-score deficit with late scores from John Cox and Christopher Dalton, with James Flaherty's masterful kicking sealing the victory. Franciscan proved equally resilient, dominating the Duke Blue Devils with 31 unanswered points after an initial penalty kick; Christopher Ascough scored two tries and three conversions, while Dom Grecol was Player of the Match for his defense. Slippery Rock powered past Wisconsin-Eau Claire 31-12. In a dramatic finish, New Mexico Tech avenged last year's playoff loss to Colorado School of Mines, scoring 15 unanswered points for a thrilling one-point victory. These intense regional outcomes, showcasing fierce conference rivalries and dramatic come-from-behind wins, promise a sensational National Championship, highlighting the thrilling DIII talent for US rugby fans.