The Mississippi State University Maddawgs will take on the conference leading Alabama Crimson Tide here at home on Friday. The sqaud  looks for their second conference win after a brutal loss against the Auburn Tigers, 77-14 in Auburn, Alabama.

The   Maddawgs   upcoming game against Alabama will be a game that will define the SCRC tournament  placement  for the Maddawgs and the rest of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference. “Last game there were great individual performances,” Head coach Evan Kaplan said. “Rugby against Alabama will take such a great team effort. We need big intensity this time.” 

In the 2014 season, Alabama lost the game, coming up short to the Maddawgs 41-40 in Tuscaloosa. MSU hopes  to thump current 5-0 Alabama team this time around as well.

 “They’re a physical team. Very tough and incredibly fast,” Kaplan said. 

Alabama is expected to bring excellent techniques, like poaching and offloading. Kaplan  mentioned that in this game, the rookies will have to step up their performance-though they have not experienced what Alabama Rugby will bring. Junior rookie Samuel Funderburk gave an insight on his expectations. 

“I expect a fast and rough game from the Alabama guys. It would be a great comeback from the Auburn game,” Funderburk said. 

Maddawgs veterans like   senior Omar McClendon are preparing to expect much of the same effort from last year’s tough battle with Alabama

“They will come strong like they usually do. Playing against them, physical toughness and mental games are what they do best,” McClendon said.  Kentucky Rugby 47-5. With  a blowout win over Kentucky Rugby last Saturday,  Alabama solidified the first place spot in the West Division in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby conference. 

Funderburk stressed the importance of team play in this game.

“The most we can do for each other is simply support and play for the man beside us,” Funderburk said. The game will be held at the intramural fields at 6 p.m.