PHOENIX - California rugby closed out their Arizona road trip with an impressive 76-14 victory over Grand Canyon Monday. The Bears played complete rugby in the victory, with eight different players scoring 11 tries. Cal made seven changes from their Arizona lineup, getting the day off Brice Muller, Oliver Teague, Solomon Williams, Filip Edstrom and Emmett Cook.
 
We had a lot cleaner performance today," vice captain Cade Crist added. "We definitely gained a little more confidence in our systems and what we're trying to do together."
 
The Bears struck first as GCU kicked a ball out of the back of the tryzone, setting up a Cal scrum at midfield. Saint had a strong run at the goal line, before passing the ball off to Byron Finley for the first try of the game.
 
After a GCU penalty, the Bears elected for a scrum in the 11th minute. The Bears' passed the ball wide to Masi Koi, who found fullback Oliver Newall. Newall passed to his opposite wing Nate Comiskey, who got the Bears their second try of the day.
 
A superb penalty kick from Rand Santos put the Bears at the Lopes' five meter line. From the lineout, Byron Finley passed the ball back to Elias Smith, who ran ahead for the try.
 
Koi, returning from injury, was impressive, utilizing impressive footwork, going the distance on a long run, making three would-be defenders miss with his feet, adding another Bears try in the 27th minute.
 
Senior center Michál de Beer made his return to the Bears' starting lineup after a prolonged injury from the Fall 7s season, and made his presence known scoring a try in the 31st minute.
 
The Bears pushed forward in the 35th minute, threatening deep inside the GCU side. Freshman tighthead prop William Schreckengaust, making a big start on the road, displayed some classic footwork, beating the last defender before diving over the try line for a Bears' score, helping the Bears build a 45-0 halftime lead.
 
At the half, the Bears subbed off captain Rand Santos and gave some valuable experience to freshman James Curtis.
 
"I'm happy with how we performed in the first half," Santos said after the match. "I'm pleased with how the boys stepped up against a physical GCU side, and we can look to build on that performance."
 
Soon after, Saturday's starters Oliver Kirk, Cade Crist, Chris Biller, and Oliver Newall were subbed off in favor of Jayden Flores, Tommy Rainsford, Luke Leddy and Jack Byszio.
 
Grand Canyon opened the second half with their first score of the game as senior Dylan Mercer found some space in the Cal defense, scoring the try, and senior Luke Neely converted the conversion.
 
The Bears answered back as brilliant footwork from Koi led to another long run in behind the GCU defense, as he scored his second try of the game. Finley, who had a breakout game, scored his second try of the game in the 57th minute.
 
After a beautiful pass from Peter Symington, a diving Comiskey beat the defender to the corner flag, scoring a highlight-reel try to extend the Bears lead to 62-7.
 
Another GCU try by way of freshman Garren White gave the home crowd life, but the third try of the game from Comiskey and a try from second half substitute Rainsford, gave the Bears a 76-14 victory.
 
GCU head coach Sean O'Leary shared, "We had a better performance in the second half, but we didn't come out well to play in the first half, and you can't do that against Cal," O'Leary said. "We always appreciate Cal visiting us here in Phoenix."
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal at GCU
3:00  –  Byron Finley, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
10:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
31:00 – Elias Smith, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
27:00 – Masi Koi, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
31:00 – Michál de Beer, 5
35:00 – William Schreckengaust, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
40:00 – Peter Symington, 5
Half: Cal, 45, GCU, 0
43:00 – Dylan Mercer, 5 Luke Neely, 2 (GCU)
47:00 – Masi Koi, 5
57:00 – Byron Finley, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
65:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5
68:00 – Garren White, 5, Luke Neely, 2 (GCU)
75:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
79:00 – Tommy Rainsford, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
Final: Cal, 76, GCU, 14
 
Starting XV:
1. Oliver Kirk (Tommy Rainsford 47') 2. Cade Crist (Jayden Flores 47') 3. William Schreckengaust (Kimani Laumoli 47') 4. Byron Finley 5. Talae Tuimaunei 6. Brady Weingart 7. Chris Biller (Luke Leddy 40') 8. Elias Smith 9. Cormac Saint 10. Rand Santos (James Curtis 40') 11. Masi Koi 12. Michál de Beer 13. Peter Symington 14. Nate Comiskey 15. Oliver Newall (Jack Byszio 47')