June 5, 2011

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PHILADELPHIA - The Golden Bears were defeated Sunday morning by Utah, 21-5, in the quarterfinals of NBC's 7s invitational at PPL Park.

James McTurk scored a try for California in the second half but the Rugby Bears did not have enough time or answers for an evasive Utah side. Don Pati scored two tries, Tonata Lauti scored one, Blake Miller converted all three and the Utes never trailed in the contest.

It was the last match in blue and gold for several players on the field, including McTurk, Sean Gallinger, Derek Asbun, Dustin Muhn, James Bailes and captain Blaine Scully.

It was also the second straight year that Utah beat Cal in Rugby Sevens, edging the Bears in sudden-death overtime to win the 2010 invitational.

Utes coach Jason Pye called Cal "an incredible team" and Pati noted, "For us to get better, we know we have to play the best, and today was an incredible challenge. Cal has dominated us at the 15s level."

Scully offered some perspective on the 2011 season, an unprecedented campaign in the 129-year history of the team: "The adversity we've gone through - with the program in jeopardy, not having a field to practice on, playing all our games away, playing the national championship game in the opposition's home territory - it bonded us in a very special and unique way. I can't say enough about this team. Unfortunately we didn't have it today, which happens sometimes in sports. Utah put us under pressure and was able to capitalize. But to have worn the blue and gold has been such an honor, to be a part of something so special. I'm grateful to our coaches and staff for everything they've done for my team and me."

02:00 Utah (Don Pati) 5, (Blake Miller) 2

05:00 Utah (Tonata Lauti) 5, (Blake Miller) 2

Halftime: Utah 14, California 0

8:00 Don Pati 5, Blake Miller 2

11:00 James McTurk 5

Final: Utah 21, California 5

The Team vs. Utah

1. Scully ©, 2. Kelly, 3. Asbun, 4. Ring, 5. Gallinger, 6.McTurk, 7. Muhn
Replacements: D. Barrett, Bailes