Men's rugby headlines national Friday Night Rugby series on Halloween

The seventh-ranked Norwich University men's rugby team will take center stage under the lights on Friday, Oct. 31, as part of National Collegiate Rugby's (NCR) nationally broadcasted Friday Night Rugby series. The Cadets will host third-ranked University of Vermont (UVM) in a highly anticipated North Atlantic Collegiate Rugby Conference (NACR) showdown at 7 p.m. on Sabine Field. 

The match will stream live and free on NCR's YouTube channel, showcasing one of the fiercest rivalries in collegiate men's rugby on a national stage. Friday Night Rugby, presented by NCR, features some of the nation's premier collegiate programs each week and has quickly become one of the sport's signature fall broadcasts. 

"Ever since NCR selected the Norwich vs. UVM match for their Friday Night Rugby series, we have been excited to host," said Head Coach Bob Weggler. "It is a tremendous opportunity for both programs to be showcased on a national level. With UVM ranked third and us seventh, you've got two nationally ranked, undefeated conference rivals going head-to-head in an in-state showdown under the lights on Halloween night. It doesn't get any better than that." 

Friday's matchup carries major postseason implications, with home-field advantage for the NACR Championship on the line. The winner will host the league final on Sunday, Nov. 9, with a berth in the 2025 Collegiate Rugby Championships at stake. 

Norwich enters the contest undefeated and ranked seventh nationally in the latest NCR Division II Coaches Poll. The Cadets are coming off a commanding 33-5 victory over the University of Maine on Oct. 11, where five different players found the try zone. Jake Peterson, Doran Schwartz, Jeff Pappalardo, and Hyan Mesa each recorded a try, while Aeden Kerr added three successful conversions.

The Catamounts, currently ranked third in the nation, enter on the heels of a 117-5 victory over UMass-Lowell, continuing an unbeaten run that includes dominant wins throughout conference play. Both programs have held steady among NCR's Top 10 this fall, with Vermont trailing only UNC-Wilmington and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the national standings. 

The two sides are no strangers to dramatic finishes. Last season, Vermont topped Norwich 44-26 in the regular season meeting in Burlington, but the Cadets got their revenge in the NACR Championship Game in Worcester, Massachusetts. Tied 17-17 at halftime, Norwich surged ahead in the second half and held off a late UVM rally for a thrilling 41-38 victory, securing a spot in the NCR Sweet 16. The Cadets went on to finish third nationally, defeating Villanova and Georgetown before falling in double overtime to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the semifinals and rebounding with a 72-17 rout of Towson University in the national third-place game.

This year's matchup also coincides with a milestone moment for the Norwich program, as the men's rugby team celebrates its 55th anniversary, marking the founding of the Norwich University Rugby Football Club in 1970. The program's legacy of toughness and camaraderie remains deeply rooted in the fabric of Norwich University, and Friday's game will serve as both a celebration of that history and a showcase of the program's continued national prominence. 

Adding to the evening's festivities, the match will double as Senior Day, with 11 graduating Cadets honored following the conclusion of play. A 50/50 raffle promoting The Veteran's Place of Northfield will be hosted by the Norwich B-side squad during the match, and Norwich rugby alumnus Bill Walsh '77 will perform the national anthem before kickoff. 

Friday's game will mark the fifth Friday Night Rugby feature of the 2025 NCR season, following last week's showdown between Holy Cross and Providence College. Norwich's matchup with UVM will serve as the penultimate event of the fall schedule before the series concludes next week. 

As part of the Friday Night Rugby initiative, NCR aims to bring the intensity, speed, and community of college rugby to a national audience each week. The series highlights rivalries, traditions, and rising programs that define collegiate rugby's competitive spirit. 

Fans are encouraged to pack Sabine Field and help create a big-time Friday night atmosphere. Admission is free, and spectators are invited to attend in Halloween costumes to celebrate the occasion.