Oct 15- Heading into the second month of the season, the Wildcats are beginning to look at combinations for the meat of their schedule when they will take on some of the country's best teams. If Saturday is any indication, their first and second year athletes are ready to contribute, having made a statement in Phoenix in their matchup with Grand Canyon.

 

Last year's Frosh-Soph clash with Grand Canyon went the Lopes' way in Tucson, something that stuck in the minds of the Wildcats heading into Saturday. The Wildcats' would make their presence felt right away, with a first phase try off of a well-worked lineout move that saw Sintu Mjali, Henry Langrish, Tanner DeMassa, PJ Enegren, and Van Hampton combine to make it 5-0 early. Ten minutes later, Wing Emmanuel Magutakuona would break the Lopes' line, with Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl, Mjali, and Hooker Aston Gradwick-Light combining for a try in the left corner. The onslaught from Magutakuona would continue, with a chip and chase try by the winger followed by a support line on counterattack to make it 24-0 late in the half. A Braedon Butte linebreak would make it 31-0 heading into the break.

 

The second half would include a number of impact performances from reserves, with Flyhalf Will Rohrsheim helping lead the attack alongside Center Tom Manning. Gradwick-Light would score his second of the game before a stolen lineout and an offload by Aiden Kemp would set Tanner DeMassa free for a long-range try to all but seal the victory. A late Dominic Zapata try from a meter out would seal the 50-0 victory and keep the Wildcats record perfect on the young season.

 

"We went up to Phoenix to test our youngsters and they answered that. I'm impressed with how we handled some of the elements of the game, between the heat and some unfortunate off-ball stuff, we kept our focus. I'm thrilled to see Emmanuel make such an impact, he's a guy we are really excited about and he's got so much potential along with a great character. Those are guys you love to work with and I'm sure our guys love to play with" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

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For the Wildcats full Fall schedule, click here.

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Arizona 50-0 GCU

Tries: Gradwick-Light (2), Magutakuona (2), Hampton, Butte, DeMassa, Zapata

Conversions: Gerstl- 4/7, Manning- 1/1