Upsets Shake Men's DII Final Four

Day one of the 2026 Collegiate Rugby Championship Men’s Division II competition delivered immediate drama, with unexpected upsets shaking the bracket and setting up a thrilling Final Four featuring UNC-Wilmington, Northwestern, Colorado Mesa, and Coastal Carolina. The biggest surprises came from Northwestern, who stunned Memphis 19-5 before taking down the No. 2 seed Grand Valley State with a dominant 21-10 performance, while out West, fourth-seeded Colorado Mesa made waves by defeating Vermont 17-12 and pulling off a significant 24-19 upset against top seed Miami (OH). East top seed UNC-Wilmington secured their semifinal berth with strong wins over Norwich (33-17) and Georgetown (19-7), as Coastal Carolina progressed by beating Towson 26-14 and Northern Iowa 26-19. Vermont senior Luca Race currently leads all scorers with an impressive 36 points, including a half-dozen tries and three conversions, highlighting individual brilliance amidst these team triumphs and signaling an exciting championship path that promises to showcase the next wave of talent vital for US rugby's future.