Saint Mary’s defeated BYU 37-17 in a pulsating game live on FloRugby Saturday, 

The Gaels came back from an early deficit, and scored two late tries to put away what was a close game for much of the contest. Prop forward Peyton Telea-llaio had a breakout game, scoring two tries and contributing to a strong scrum effort by the Gaels.

In fact, Peyton Telea-llaio scored the opening try, capping off a long period of pressure by Saint Mary’s.

But after that, BYU got on the front foot. The Cougars looked to target Saint Mary’s out wide, and sucked in enough defenders to create come space out wide for Zach Webber to race in and score.

With Calvin Whiting's conversion kick good, the Cougars pressed their advantage and made it 10-5 with a Whiting penalty goal. But Saint Mary’s started to improve its ball security, and tested BYU out wide. Eventually Tevite Lopeti sliced through and over, and Mike McCarthy’s conversion put Saint Mary’s ahead to stay, 12-10.

McCarthy added a penalty goal, and then a massive Saint Mary’s shove in the scrum produced another penalty. That one the Gaels tapped quickly, and eventually Ronan Murphy picked up and went over for a 20-10 Gaels lead at the break.

Second Half

In the second half, Aaron Matthews capped off some excellent ball handling to make it 25-10. But BYU came back once again, with flyhalf Connor Parry cutting through some Saint Mary’s holes and inching closer at 25-17.

Once again Saint Mary’s replied, with Vili Helu going up the middle. That made it 32-17, and BYU had a chance to get closer and perhaps mount a comeback. But a break down the right side, seemingly for a try, was called back for a foot on the touchline. Saint Mary’s got a reprieve, and eventually marched down the field to put Telea-llaio over for his second.

In the end, Saint Mary’s was able to string together more phases, and was stronger in the set piece. BYU didn’t look polished - no surprise given that the Cougars have played three games and Saint Mary’s 10 - and little mistakes play right into the hands of a team that scrums well and counter-attacks even better.

Full Game Replay

Rankings

Saint Mary's did themselves no harm in terms of the team's #1 ranking with the win over #4 BYU, especially with #2 Life struggling to dismiss #6 Lindenwood Saturday. Also in action was #3 Cal, which beat #9 Arizona, and #5Navy, which hammered Dartmouth 88-8.

Saint Mary's 37

Tries: Telea-llaio 2, Lopeti, Matthews, Murphy, Helu
Convs: McCarthy 2
Pens: McCarthy

BYU 17
Tries: Webber, Parry
Convs: Whiting 2
Pens: Whiting