JMU Men's Rugby Club is back on the road this Saturday, traveling to Rutgers for a Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference match at noon.

The Dukes arrive with reasons for optimism. Last time out they routed Rowan 60-12 in the home opener at John Carr Field, with Logan Edler crossing for four tries and Preston Francois kicking five conversions. Andrew Ringel, Christian Ferrell, Joaquin Meza, Matheo Rojas and Max Apesa all added tries, and JMU led 19-0 inside the opening 15 minutes. It was the kind of complete afternoon a side wants to carry onto the road.

Rutgers will be a different test. Head coach Mark Fowler is not looking past a conference opponent, and the message out of the camp is respect.

"After the last two weeks there is room for optimism in the JMU camp, but we will take every game as it comes and give Rutgers our complete respect," Fowler said.

Every fixture in the MARC brings a hard, physical contest, and a long trip north only sharpens the challenge.

"Every game in the MARC is a tough game, as every team made up of 18 to 22 year olds will play with pride and passion," Fowler said. "We look forward to a great outing this Saturday and hopefully we can perform and come away with the result."

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Kickoff is set for noon ET at Rutgers. Watch on the club YouTube channel.

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Getting there

Saturday's match is at Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey. It is a short trip for JMU Rugby alumni across the Tri-State area, so if you are close, come out and back the Dukes.

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