May 6, 2001

Virginia Beach, VA. - Cal claimed its 11th consecutive national rugby championship, overwhelming Penn State 86-11 Sunday.

The Bears ran in 14 tries, going from average to awesome between Saturday's semi and the title match.

"It was a gratifying win for our players and our team," said head coach Jack Clark. "We certainly got off the gas against the wrong team in the semi-final. We were determined to play 80 minutes of class rugby today, and I think that's what we accomplished."

Cal had squandered a large lead Saturday, eventually edging Navy, 34-27.

With new resolve and a strong wind at their backs in the first half, Cal sailed out to a 38-6 lead by the break against the Nittany Lions.

Prop Mike MacDonald opened the scoring, profiting from the first of many mauls that the Bears drove deep into Penn State's territory. In his last game for the Bears, senior No. 8 Shaun Paga also scored in the first half, but wing Cameron Bunce had the biggest day, finishing four tries total for Cal while flyhalf Matt Sherman scored three.

Turning into the wind, did not slow the Bears, who scored eight times in the second half. Bunce touched down three in a row in the space of 10 minutes, and with a growing margin, the Cal coaching staff began to make substitutions, giving seniors such as Justin Parkhurst, Kevin Vogeli, and Dan Towers a run in their last collegiate match.

Of the starting line-up, graduating seniors included scrumhalf Andy Armstrong, fullback John Buchholz, hooker Chris Draper, lock Brian Meux, lock Brian Surgener and Paga.

"I'm already sad that I won't be able to coach these seniors again," said Clark. "They've been an extraordinary group of leaders."

It was the Cal team's 18th national championship since the title competition began in 1980. The weekend also marked the 300th collegiate victory for coach Clark, who reached the milestone with Saturday's semi-final victory over Navy.

In Sunday's play-off for 3rd & 4th, Navy prevailed over Army 34-22.

Scoring First Half: Mike MacDonald try, 6th minute, Penn State penalty kick, 11th min., Matt Sherman try & John Buchholz conversion, 12th min., Cameron Bunce try & Buchholz conv., 18th min., Shaun Paga try, 20th min., Dave Guest try & Buchholz conv., 26th min., Penn State pen. kick, 30th min., Mike Bonetto try & Buchholz conv., 31st min.

Second Half: Bunce try, 50th min., Bunce try, 54th min., Bunce try & Buchholz conv., 60th min., Brian Meux try & Buchholz conv., 64th min., MacDonald try & Buchholz conv., 67th min., Sherman, try 70th min., Penn State, try 76th min., Guest try, 79th min., Sherman try & Buchholz conv., injury time.

First Half Cal 38 Penn State 6

Second Half Cal 48 Penn State 5

Final Cal 86 Penn State 11

Cal Record: 16-1-0