SEPTEMBER 6
19:00 Acadia (0-0) at Saint Mary’s (0-0) (live webcast)
Source: Acadia Sports Information
HALIFAX, N.S. - With a thirteen-game winning streak versus conference opponents over the last two seasons, the Axemen head to Halifax Friday night with their sights set on a third consecutive AUS banner.
With four championships in the past eight seasons, reigning AUS coach of the year Jeff Cummins enters his 11th season as the Axemen's head coach.
Cummins, who has 11 AUS all-stars, two AUS major award winners and six all-Canadians returning from last year's roster, knows it will be an uphill climb with only five AUS All-Stars and two All-Canadians returning this season.
The Axemen head into tonight's road game against the Saint Mary's Huskies with 13-of-24 starters from last season returning. The loss of two-time AUS MVP Kyle Graves will be a blow to Acadia, but Cummins points out that while the loss at quarterback is a concern, Graves' punting abilities were also exceptional and a "game changer" in many respects.
Acadia's Evan Brown, who acted as backup quarterback for the last three seasons, will debut tonight. Brown was a perfect 6-for-6 last weekend in first quarter action against StFX in pre-season play.
On defence, the Axemen return seven starters, losing two linebackers, two defensive linemen and one defensive back. Cummins' hope is that those stepping into the empty positions will solidify the integrity of a strong defence.
Coach Cummins is happy with several rookie standouts including quarterbacks Cody Cluett and Darcy Lavoie, who saw plenty of playing and practice time over the past two weeks. Standout Adam Melanson will start at the defensive tackle position Friday night. Melanson, a Horton High School grad, played at Champlain College last season and was a defensive CEGEP all-star. Receiver Shaquille Cezont-Holmes has also shown great athletic ability and explosive speed as a returner and receiver.
On the other side of the ball, the Saint Mary's Huskies, who had to deal with the injury of starting pivot Jack Creighton at the beginning of last season, look to bounce back with the return of 18 of their 24 starters from the 2012 season.
Second-year head coach Perry Marchese says the Huskies have a nice mix of new and experienced players with nine returning on offence and defence.
"We should be balanced on offence and athletic and physical on defence," says Marchese. "We have a number of very good pass rushers too that will add to the mix".
Ben Rossong, a transfer from Western University and Jack Creighton give the Huskies a pair of legitimate quarterbacks. Marchese confirmed at the AUS football media day held Thursday in Halifax that Rossong will get the start.
Running backs Melvin Abankwah and Michael Dawes rushed 632 yards and 584 yards respectively last season and will likely contribute to the Huskies' ground attack once again this year.
The veteran defence will be led by 2012 AUS lineman of the year and career sack leader Rob Jubenville, linebackers Matt Lalande and Marvin Golding, as well as two-time all-Canadian defensive back Kayin Marchand-Wright.
On special teams, the Huskies have had great kickers over the last decade or so and Marchese feels that newcomer Chase Kodejs will continue that tradition.
"Offensively, we need to be more balanced than last year," Marchese added, when asked what his team will need to do to topple the defending AUS champions. "Defensively we will need to stop the running game and avoid giving up big plays."
Rookies to watch on the Huskies roster include offensive lineman Sean Guihan who has looked promising thus far, running back Derek Pisani who stood out in the Huskies' exhibition game and Kodejs, who looks as if he has already been in the CIS for years in just his rookie season.
Friday night's game kicks off at 7:00 PM and will also be available via webcast at www.AUStv.ca.
Live stats for tonight's game can be found here: http://livestats.prestosports.com/stmarys/.
19:00 Concordia (0-1) at McGill (0-1) (live webcast)
19:00 Bishop’s (1-0) at Montreal (1-0)
Source: Marty Rourke, Bishop's Sports Information & Sponsorship
SHERBROOKE, Que. – The No. 10 Bishop’s Gaiters travel to Montreal on Friday, September 6 to face the No. 3 Montreal Carabins at CEPSUM in RSEQ University Football action. Both squads are coming off opening week victories and will kick off at 7 p.m.
The Gaiters (1-0), who are ranked in the top-10 in Canada for the first time since 2010 beat their cross-town rival Sherbrooke Vert et Or 28-27 on Sunday. The seesaw affair teetered the Gaiters way when the Vert et Or missed a 40-yard field goal as time expired.
The Carabins (1-0) will enter the game with an extra day of rest after they cruised by the Concordia Stingers 48-3 on Saturday.
The Gaiters Jordan Heather (Oromocto, N.B.) and the Carabins Byron Archambault (Montreal) were named RSEQ offensive and defensive players of the week respectively. Heather was also the CIS Offensive Player of the Week.
A season ago the teams met on two occasions with the Carabins winning both. Montreal won 45-15 on the island, and topped the Gaiters 37-7 in Lennoxville. The Gaiters squad will look to exert revenge and beat the Carabins for the first time since 2009 and the first time at CEPSUM since 2007. Friday’s game will be the first off three night games the Gaiters will play on the road. They will also face Sherbrooke (Sept. 14) and McGill (Oct. 4) at 7 p.m.
Bishop’s was not only led by Heather in their victory against the Vert et Or but also Geoff Coventry (Orleans, Ont.) who caught seven passes for 142 yards and a major score and Alexander Fox (Montreal) who grabbed six balls and scored two touchdowns. On defense O’Shane Daley (Scarborough, Ont.) led the way with six tackles, one for a loss and two interceptions, including one on the goal line to snuff out a Sherbrooke drive late in the fourth quarter.
“This is going to be a tough challenge,” said Gaiters head coach Kevin Mackey. “They have a great defensive front, run the ball very well and are a physical football team. We have to match their intensity, play discipline and penalty free to be successful.”
The tenth ranked Gaiters will take on the third ranked Carabins in Montreal on Friday night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on Estrie 107.7 FM in Sherbrooke and is also available online. Follow the Gaiters anytime at the revamped www.gaiters.ca.
19:00 Calgary (1-0) at Regina (0-1) (live webcast)
Source: Regina Sports Info
Complete Game
Notes
The Rams host their Canada West home opener this Friday night
(7:00) against the No. 5-ranked Calgary Dinos. Access7 will air the
game live with canadawest.tv picking up the feed
and providing live statistics, while 620 CKRM will have the contest
live on the dial.
This Friday marks Sack Hunger Day at Mosaic Stadium, as anyone who
brings a non-perishable food item receives $2 off an adult game
ticket. The home opener will also feature the Access Communications
Pre-Game BBQ starting at 5:30.
AGAINST CALGARY: The Rams have played no Canada West team more
often over the past five years than Calgary, as the two squads will
clash for the 13th time since 2008 on Friday night at Mosaic. The
Dinos have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Rams, with the U
of R's lone win in that span coming in a 12-9 home victory last
season that featured a lengthy interception return touchdown by
Joey Dwyer. Overall, Calgary
comes into the game with a 12-6 all-time advantage in conference
games and a 4-2 edge in postseason contests.
LAST WEEK: It looked like the Rams' season opener at No. 9
Saskatchewan was going to be a blowout as the Huskies led 32-7 at
the half, but the U of R scored 26 points in a span of less than
nine minutes in the third and fourth quarters to tie the game at
33-33. A Saskatchewan touchdown midway through the fourth quarter
proved to be the difference, though, as Saskatchewan was able to
escape with a 40-33 victory.
NEXT WEEK: The Rams continue the Canada West schedule next Saturday
with a Week 3 game at Alberta. It will mark the first of two
meetings between the two teams this season, as the Rams and Golden
Bears will also clash in a Week 6 game in Regina (Oct. 5).
McCONKEY CHASING HISTORY: Mark McConkey had three
receptions last week against Saskatchewan, giving the fifth-year
slotback a total of 160 for his career. He now needs just three
catches to surpass former UBC receiver Brad Coutts for second place
on Canada West's all-time list and can overtake former teammate
Chad Goldie as the conference's all-time leader with 14 more
catches. The CIS career record is held by former McGill University
receiver Charles-Antoine Sinotte (251).
RANKINGS: Three Canada West teams are ranked in the poll for the
second week in a row, though Calgary dropped two spots to No. 5
despite opening the season with a 41-31 road win over UBC last
Saturday. Saskatchewan (No. 8) and Manitoba (No. 9) both moved up
one spot in the poll after Week 1 wins, while the Rams ended up
with a single vote.
UNDER CENTRE: University of Hawaii transfer Cayman Shutter
got the start at quarterback for the Rams last Friday. He completed
20 of his 40 pass attempts for a total of 319 yards, including a
98-yard touchdown pass to Kolten Solomon that stands as
the fifth longest passing play in U of R history. Shutter also
scrambled three times for a total of 11 yards in his Canada West
debut.
LONG PLAYS: Though the Rams were on the losing end of a 40-33
decision to Saskatchewan last week, there were several individual
highlights during the game. Besides Cayman Shutter's
long ball to Kolten Solomon (see above), the
Rams got a 59-yard interception return from Connor Ketchen
and Tevaughn Campbell had a 71-yard
kickoff return and a 52-yard punt return. Ketchen's interception
return was tied for the fifth longest in school history, while
Campbell's lengthy kickoff return is the fifth longest ever
recorded by a U of R player (and the longest since Neal Hughes had
89-yard and 80-yard kickoff returns against Saint Mary's in the
2000 Atlantic Bowl).
TRIPLE DIGITS TIMES TWO: Both Addison Richards and
Kolten Solomon piled up 105
receiving yards last week at Saskatchewan. It's the first time two
different U of R players have hit triple digits in the same game in
almost three years, as the last time it happened was on Oct. 29,
2010 at Saskatchewan when Brenden Owens ended up with 110 yards and
Jared Janotta had 107. Current
quarterbacks coach Marc Mueller was under centre
that game for the Rams.
RAMS IN THE NFL: Though Stefan Charles was waived by
Tennessee last week, he was immediately signed to the Titans'
practice squad so the U of R still boasts three former players in
the NFL including Charles, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (New
Orleans) and punter Jon Ryan (Seattle). Only eight non-NCAA Div. I
schools have at least three current NFLers, led by five each from
the California University of Pennsylvania and Grand Valley State.
The others are Mount Union (NCAA Div. III) with four and NCAA Div.
II schools Missouri Western, Midwestern State, Valdosta State, and
Washburn joining the U of R with three players apiece.
RAMS IN THE CFL: In addition to their three NFL players, the Rams
also have seven players currently on CFL rosters. That list is
highlighted by Chris Getzlaf and Brendon LaBatte – who both
play key roles for the 7-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders – and
Brett Jones, who's starting at
centre for the Calgary Stampeders as a rookie. The list of 10
former Rams in the professional ranks doesn't include talented long
snapper Jorgen Hus, who was waived by
St. Louis (NFL) two weeks ago and could end up with former teammate
Chris Mercer in Edmonton if he
doesn't get another NFL offer.
CANADA WEST PRESEASON POLL: The conference coaches' poll was
released on Wednesday, and five-time defending Canada West champion
Calgary was again picked as the favourite after receiving four out
of a possible five first-place votes and a total of 47 points in
the poll. Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba also received a
first-place vote, with the Huskies finishing second in the poll
with 38 points and the Bisons in third place with 32 points. The
Rams and UBC tied for fourth place in the poll with 17 points.
JANOTTA MOVING UP THE CHARTS: With a full season of CIS eligibility
remaining after this year, fourth-year slotback Jared
Janotta is moving up the U of R's all-time lists in
several receiving categories. Janotta, who was a Canada West
all-star in 2012, has 98 career receptions and is poised to become
just the eighth player in U of R history to hit the 100 mark. He
also moved up to No. 11 in school history in career receiving yards
(1256) last week and needs just 31 yards to move past Chris Getzlaf
for tenth place.
SMITH MAKES CIS DEBUT: The U of R landed heralded defensive tackle
Calvin Smith in the offseason,
bolstering a defensive line that has been extremely strong for the
Rams over the past few seasons. Smith made his debut last week at
Saskatchewan, but was injured early in the game. It was his first
action since 2010 at the NCAA Div. I level with the University of
New Mexico, when he played in all 12 of the Lobos' games as a true
freshman and collected 13 tackles and a sack while in a steady
rotation on the defensive line. Smith was listed as a four-star
prospect by both Rivals.com and ESPN, with ESPN ranking him as the
No. 20 defensive tackle in the class and Rivals.com slotting him
26th.
NEW LINE: The Rams graduated 20 fifth-year players from last
season's roster and lost two players to professional football, and
no position got hit harder than the offensive line where the team
lost starters Brenden Bennett, Steve
Hanson, Brett Jones, and Chris
Mercer and key reserves Anthony Dale and Joel
Hrycyk. And the Rams lost both Aaron Picton
and Nathan Cugnet last week against
Saskatchewan, finishing the game with a line consisting of three
first-year players and a pair of first-year starters in their third
season of eligibility - Jeremy Zver (LT), Kyle
Paterson (LG), Bryce McKinnon (C), Lyndon
Smith (RG), and Matt Degelman (RT).
SACK WATCH: The Rams might have former defensive linemen Akiem
Hicks and Stefan Charles in the NFL right
now, but it's Logan Brooks that has a chance
to take over as the school's all-time sacks leader. Brooks has
10½ sacks in his career with the Rams, needing one more to
overtake Sean Brimacombe for second place in University of Regina
history and three more to pass Stan Van Sichem for first.
SWITCHING SPORTS - TAKE 1: Followers of U of R sports might see a
familiar name starting on the offensive line, as Jeremy
Zver has been a key reserve for the men's basketball team
over the last two years and return to football for the first time
since starring for Balfour Collegiate in 2010. Zver has appeared in
36 Canada West hoops games in his career, scoring a total of 87
points and pulling down 65 rebounds.
SWITCHING SPORTS - TAKE 2: Running back Jens Johnson is in
his first year with the Rams after playing a Junior A career that
spanned three full seasons in the SJHL. Johnson spent two years
with the Weyburn Red Wings before splitting the 2012-13 season
between Weyburn and Notre Dame. A defenceman, Johnson scored eight
goals and added 40 assists for 48 points in 150 career regular
season SJHL games.
SWITCHING SPORTS - TAKE 3: Let's add defensive back Jeff
Propp to this list, who is expected to be on the team's
50-man roster this Friday against the Dinos. Propp, who was a
multi-sport standout for Balfour Collegiate in Regina, redshirted
last season with the U of R's men's basketball team and is in his
first season with the Rams.
SEPTEMBER 7
13:00 Western (2-0) at McMaster (1-1) (Sportsnet 360)
HAMILTON, Ont. – Two of the OUA's fiercest rivals meet on the gridiron as the Western Mustangs (2-0) take on the reigning two-time Yates Cup champion McMaster Marauders at Ron Joyce Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m. The perennial powerhouses kick off OUA coverage on Sportsnet 360 and the game is presented by Pioneer Energy.
Due to the broadcast policy of Rogers
Communications and Sportsnet360 the game will not be available on
McMaster's live streaming link.
There is some history between these teams, as McMaster won the last
three meetings against Western, including two playoff wins in the
2011 Yates Cup final and the 2012 semifinal.
"We have pretty good memories," Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall
said referencing those losses. "I know our players are motivated
… and in order for us to get where we need to be, we have to
knock them off. This game is important, but some time we have to
knock them off in the playoffs."
Compete level shouldn't be an issue for the Mustangs, who would
love to hand Mac their second straight loss for the first time
since the 2010 season, when they lost back-to-back games against
Western and Ottawa.
Western is coming in hot after winning their first two games by a
combined score of 121-18. The 'Stangs beat the Toronto Varsity
Blues 50-14 in their season opener and absolutely dominated the
Carleton Ravens 71-4 at home last week. Neither of those teams
presents the challenges of a nationally ranked opponent, but their
starters won't be as beat up or tired as McMaster's and haven't had
to play a full 60 minutes.
"The speed in which we've had to play for four quarters, coupled
with the endurance and knowing we can play in the heat against a
quality opponent is counterbalanced by the fact we're more nicked
up," Marauders head coach Stefan Ptaszek said. "Neither team can
make an excuse, but you have to leverage your advantage."
Don't underestimate Mighty Mac after losing 31-24 to the Queen's
Gaels on Labour Day. In Monday's loss, McMaster more than doubled
Queen's in total net yards 495-227 while quarterback Marshall
Ferguson (Kingston, Ont.) completed 39 of 60 passes and threw for
459 yards with three touchdowns. In contrast, Queen's QB Billy
McPhee (Burlington, Ont.) went 14-29 for 114 yards without a
major.
"Our defence played great and we had 500 yards of offence," Ptaszek
said. "There were a lot of positives and we need to build on them
this week."
So what happened? McMaster turned the ball over seven times and
paid dearly for two of them. Two of Ferguson's three interceptions
were returned for 70 and 99 yard touchdowns by CIS football player
of the week Yann Dika-Balotoken (Toronto). Those two drives could
have at least been field goals and that's a huge swing on the
scoreboard. Despite that, the game was close till the end and
statistically, was one that McMaster should have won.
"As much as last week was a loss, there's not a loss of faith in
our direction of what we are doing," Ptaszek said.
The Western-McMaster rivalry will feature a new quarterback matchup
as Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.) and Ferguson line up under centre.
Ferguson, a fourth-year QB is finally getting his chance and is
running with the opportunity. He leads OUA in yardage with 811 and
is averaging 405.5 yards per game. He has taken a few snaps against
Western in the past, but Finch has more experience in the rivalry,
as he started in the 2012 semifinal against McMaster. Finch threw
for 300 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had four picks in the
loss. McMaster led the country in interceptions for the past two
seasons and all five starters are returning, so Finch's accuracy
will need to be spot on this Saturday. The highly-touted sophomore
is off to a good start this season completing an impressive 49 for
64 (77%) for 715 yards, five touchdowns with only one pick.
"It's a lot to do with his confidence and experience," Marshall
said. "Part of being a good quarterback is getting experience and
you can't get it in practice. You have to play games and sometimes
you have to make mistakes to improve. Some of those valuable
lessons he learned last year have helped."
Western won't just be relying on Finch come game day, as their
ground game is the most potent rushing attack in the league. The
Mustangs have already rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns,
twice as many majors as the second placed Windsor Lancers. Running
back Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.) is the reigning CIS rushing
leader and is currently leading the OUA in rushing yards (213) and
TDs (3).
"Our rushing game may be a function of the teams we've played,"
Marshall said. "But our run game needs to be successful for us to
be successful on Saturday."
McMaster counters with James Hill (Hamilton, Ont.), who has rushed
for 133 yards and one touchdown, but overall the Marauders are
outgunned on the ground and haven't eclipsed the 200 yard mark.
With a focus on the passing game, both teams have talented
receiving corps and boast top OUA talent. London locals George
Johnson (265 yards, 2 TDs) and Brian Marshall (246 yards, 3 TDs)
suit up for the 'Stangs and are the second and fourth ranked
receivers in the OUA. McMaster rookie Daniel Vandervoort (Barrie,
Ont.) has 261 yards and 2 TDs, followed by veteran Michael DiCroce
(Hamilton, Ont.) with 201 yards, 2 TDs. The duo sits in third and
sixth respectively. No matter how it is broken down, both teams are
very strong in the air and scoring is not an issue.
"Our skill kids are competitive with anyone in the country,"
Ptaszek said. "Our secondary and receivers are deep and talented
groups. Western is a little younger in their secondary and in their
receiving corps; they're all good athletes, but maybe not as
experienced. I need the Mike DiCroce's and Mike Daly's (Kitchener,
Ont.) of the world to have great games and help baptize the younger
Mustangs."
At 1-1, McMaster understands the implications of a loss to Western.
Coach Ptaszek has been around long enough to know what two losses
mean in OUA – typically an extra playoff game and no home
field in the semifinals. Coach Marshall knows what's on the line as
well and wants to preserve that bye week for the purple and
silver.
The implications for this game are huge and the rivalry is fierce.
They've met in the last three postseasons and Saturday could just
be setting the stage for another great contest in the late fall.
Voice of the OUA Tim Micallef and CFL alum Mike Morreale have the
call on Sportsnet 360 at 1 p.m., so tune in and catch the action
presented by Pioneer Energy.
MCMASTER LEADERS
Passing
Marshall Ferguson
67 completions, 100 attempts, 811 yards, 5 touchdowns
Rushing
James Hill
21 carries, 133 yards, 1 touchdown
Kasean Davis-Reynolds
6 carries, 17 yards
Receiving
Daniel Vandervoort
13 catches, 261 yards, 2 touchdowns
Michael DiCroce
20 catches, 201 yards, 2 touchdowns
Max Cameron
10 catches, 97 yards
Defence
Keldyn Ahlstedt
12.5 tackles, 11 solo tackles
Scott Martin
12.5 tackles, 12 solo tackles
Aram Eisho
8 tackles, 7 solo tackles, 1 interception
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Will Finch
49 completions, 64 attempts, 715 yards, 5 touchdowns
Blake Huggins
7 completions, 12 attempts, 130 yards, 1 touchdown
Rushing
Garret Sanvido
30 carries, 213 yards, 2 touchdowns
Adam Sinclair
11 carries, 114 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
George Johnson
16 catches, 265 yards, 2 touchdowns
Brian Marshall
12 catches, 246 yards, 3 touchdowns
Defence
Beau Landry
10.5 tackles, 9 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Rory Connop
8.5 tackles, 7 solo tackles, 2 sacks
Pawel Kruba
7.5 tackles, 5 solo tackles
13:00 Toronto (1-1) at Ottawa (1-1) (live webcast)
Source: Ottawa Sports Info
The first Ontario University Athletics football game to take place at Gee-Gees Field will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Gee-Gees will welcome the Toronto Varsity Blues to their new on-campus home. Both squads enter the inaugural game with 1-1 records thanks to wins on Labour Day, setting up a crucial early-season measuring stick for the playoff race.
Ottawa captured a 44-32 win over the Waterloo Warriors (0-2) on Monday while just down the street in Waterloo, Toronto triumphed 27-20 against Wilfrid Laurier (0-2). Late in the third quarter, Toronto held a 27-3 lead on the Golden Hawks.
“They played very well against Laurier – that was a big win for them,” noted Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. “But for me I have to focus on what happens in here. We took way too many penalties last game and we have to clean that up.” Ottawa was penalized 13 times against Waterloo, racking up 153 yards in the wrong direction. “I can’t give my guys a pass for that.”
Fortunately for Ottawa the offence and in particular the passing game has been up to the task thus far. The Gee-Gees rank third among OUA teams in total offence, passing, and rushing yards. Fifth-year quarterback Aaron Colbon, an Ottawa native, has averaged 394 passing yards per game, ranking him second among the league’s quarterbacks. He also has the interesting distinction of being the league’s second-leading rusher, having posted 163 yards through the opening two games.
The visitors have been led by second-year quarterback Chris Jugovic of Hamilton, Ont., who currently ranks fifth in the OUA with 267 passing yards per game. The Blues also feature a pair of dangerous athletes on defence with third-year linebacker Dylan Gordon tied for fourth in the province with 15 tackles in two games, and Harrison Beeforth tied for the CIS lead with three sacks.
Before the season began Colbon, who is an Ottawa native, commented on the prospect of playing his final season of home games at the new Gee-Gees Field. “It’s pretty cool, I was very fortunate that I was given the opportunity to play in Ottawa. It’s really amazing seeing the support at games from family, friends and even old coaches or teachers. I am truly thankful for the amount of support I get here in Ottawa and I can’t wait to play on the new field.”
NOTES: Both teams finished with 2-6 records last season, finishing out of the playoffs… Ottawa holds a 22-17-0 advantage over Toronto since their first meeting in 1905… Ottawa has won the last two meetings, 41-0 in 2011 and 34-6 in 2012, but were upset 40-35 in 2010… Prior to 2010 the last Toronto win in the series was in the 1974 Yates Cup game…An on-field grand opening ceremony will be held following the national anthem.
13:00 Laval (1-0) at Sherbrooke (0-1) (Radio-Canada TV & live webcast)
13:00 Windsor (1-1) at Queen’s (2-0) (live webcast)
Source: Queen's Sports Info
The No. 2-ranked, Queen's Gaels have a quick turn-around after beating McMaster on Labour Day. The Gaels will host the Windsor Lancers who are coming off a tough loss to the Guelph Gryphons.
THE RECORDS: The Gaels enter play with two wins under their belt after a road victory against York to start the season followed by their home victory over McMaster on Monday. Windsor made easy work of the Warriors in their first game of the season but lost a heartbreaker to the No. 7 Gryphons in Guelph 24-23 on Labour Day.
LAST TIME OUT: The Gaels travelled to Windsor on Thanksgiving weekend of last season and secured an easy 24-7 win thanks to touchdown receptions by Giovanni Aprile and Justin Chapdelaine. Kennedy was held to only 210 yards passing that game.
THE SERIES: The Gaels own a 7-4 record against Windsor which
includes five straight wins.
Pick Six X2: It was a historic day for Gaels defensive back Yann
Dika-Balotoken (Toronto). Dita-Balotoken was the difference in the
Gaels 31-24 win over the McMaster Marauders, returning his second
pick six for 70 yards on what was the game-winning score.
Dika-Balotoken broke the Gaels record for longest interception in a
game with his 99 yard return breaking the record of 98 held by Mark
Burleigh who did it against Bishops on Oct. 1, 1983.
OUA and CIS Honours For Second Straight Week: For the second
straight week Gaels were honoured at both the OUA and CIS level for
weekly awards. Against York it was Giovanni Aprile who was both the
OUA and CIS special teams player of the week. This week
Dika-Balotoken topped that earning OUA male athlete of the week and
OUA and CIS defensive player of the week honours.
13:00 Laurier (0-2) at York (0-1)
Source: Alyson Fisher, York Sports Info
TORONTO – The York University Lions football team will unveil its new turf field on Saturday when it plays host to the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in the annual Frosh Frenzy game presented by YU-card.
Kick-off is set for 1pm at York Stadium and can also be seen live online on LionsTV (yorkulions.ca/lionstv). The atmosphere promises to be exciting as thousands of first-year York students will be in attendance to watch the Lions at their first ever home football game. In addition, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive free Lions-branded sunglasses.
Both squads are looking to get into the win column for the first time this season. The Lions started the year on Aug. 25 with a 52-1 loss to the No. 2 nationally-ranked Queen’s Gaels and did not play last week as the squad had its bye.
The Golden Hawks, meanwhile, are currently 0-2 on the season following a 21-7 loss to the No. 7 Guelph Gryphons in Week 1 and a 27-20 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Varsity Blues on Labour Day Monday.
The Lions came close to upsetting the Golden Hawks in Week 3 last year in a thrilling game that came down to the final drive. Laurier jumped out to a 17-0 lead and led 17-3 at the half, but the Lions came all the way back to take a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. However, Laurier scored the winning touchdown with 1:11 left on the clock for the four-point win.
The Lions’ roster now has many players with CIS experience under their belts, but overall the roster remains young with just six players in their fourth and fifth years of eligibility. The squad will look for one of them, starting quarterback Myles Gibbon (Montreal), to return to the form that saw him finish third in the OUA in passing yards last season. He got off to a slow start in the opener – 100 yards on 10-of-19, and an additional 54 yards on the ground – but proved last year he can be a game-changer on offence.
Week 1’s defensive leaders were lineman James Tuck (Aurora, Ont.) and defensive back Cory Bellerdine (Orleans, Ont.), who both had 4.5 tackles against Queen’s. The defence will also get a big boost this week with the return of key players in linebackers Hussein Hazime (Toronto) and Jevon Wisdom (Mississauga, Ont.), as well as defensive end Micheal Livingston (Toronto). All three of them missed the opener but are ready to go for this week.
Like the Lions, Laurier’s roster is also young. The team kept the game against the Gryphons close despite amassing only 71 yards of offence, and was much better the following week with more than 400 yards against the Varsity Blues. In that contest, the Golden Hawks let the Blues take a big lead after three quarters – 27-10 – before mounting a comeback that fell one touchdown short.
Second-year receiver Gregory Nyhof (Georgetown, Ont.) had his first career 100-yard receiving game against Toronto, accumulating 113 yards on six catches and a touchdown. Rookie quarterback Julien John (Oakville, Ont.) also had a big game, going 25-for-49 for 345 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Saturday’s game also marks the return of Laurier head coach Michael Faulds, who was York’s offensive coordinator for three seasons before taking over the Golden Hawks in December.
The game is free for all York students. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on game day. Adult tickets are available for $10, non-York students, seniors over 55 years of age and York alumni and staff are $7 and youth under 13 are free.
13:00 Waterloo (0-2) at Carleton (0-1) (Rogers TV Ottawa)
17:00 Saskatchewan (1-0) at Manitoba (1-0) (SHAW TV & live webcast)
17:00 UBC (0-1) at Alberta (0-1) (live webcast)
Source: Alberta Sports Info
This Saturday, September 7 will be the first time football fans
throughout Edmonton and northern Alberta will be able to see the
rebuilding efforts head coach Chris Morris has taken with the
University of Alberta Golden Bears as they take on the UBC
Thunderbirds (0-1) at 5:00 pm at Foote Field.
Both the Bears and Birds are searching for their first win of the
season after Alberta dropped a 65-41 loss on the road to the
Manitoba Bisons, in what was the third-highest scoring game in
Canada West history, while UBC lost a 41-31 decision against
Calgary in Vancouver.
In their first game under Morris, who took over the program in
January of this year, the Golden Bears recorded an impressive 618
net yards of offence and scored more than 40 points for the first
time in three seasons. Newly anointed starting quarterback Ryan
Schwartz guided Alberta’s rebuilt offence by running more
than 90 plays, which resulted in him tossing for 352 yards and four
touchdowns while rushing for another 150 yards and one TD. Also
leading the way was freshman running back Ed Ilnicki who ran for
103 yards in his CIS debut, while another rookie, tailback Aundrey
Webster, caught three passes for 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns
in his first-ever CIS game.
As impressive as the young guns were for the Bears, however, there
are corrections to make before they tangle with the T-Birds this
Saturday in front of the Foote Field faithful. Manitoba’s
offence, arguably the best in Canada West, racked up huge yards
against Alberta via the running game, and was able to score
back-breaking touchdowns seemingly at will. Alberta gave up 21
points in a two-minute span late in the second quarter that
effectively won the game for the Bisons.
Now, Alberta will face a UBC team that is also finding their way
this season. Gone from the Birds is former Hec Creighton winner (as
CIS MVP) quarterback Billy Greene, as well as receiver Jordan
Grieve. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 2-6 campaign last season,
which is their fourth under head coach Shawn Olson. Greg Bowcott
and Carson Williams are the new pivots for the Birds, but back with
the program is running back Brandon Deschamps. The third-year
running back hauled off for 175 yards and one touchdown last
weekend against Calgary, so stopping his ground game will be
paramount for the Bears this Saturday.
Key to stopping that UBC running game for Alberta will be their
veteran front seven. Greg Severin (DL), Steven Giang (DL), Tyler
Greenslade (LB), and Connor Ralph (LB) are among the key players in
that strong group of defensive lineman and linebackers, while new
starters Troy Weissbach (DL) and Tom Tsoumpas (LB) are factors as
well.
Up front, the blossoming chemistry between Schwartz and former CJFL
player Tylor Henry should lead to even more production this week
after the two hooked up on nine passes for 103 yards in week one.
Veteran receiver Ryley Richardson, one of the few holdovers in the
receiving corps, had four catches for 35 yards in game one, while
freshmen Tak Landry and Adam Zajdel each caught TD passes in their
first career CIS games. Fifth-year slotback and return man Jess
Valleau could factor in as well, but is currently trying to return
from injury.
The rebuilt offensive line, which features new arrivals David
Beard, Lincoln Untereiner, and Scott Ledieu, as well as Eric
Permann will have to overcome the loss of Reid Bowman who left the
game against Manitoba late in the fourth quarter with a broken leg.
The group did a solid job protecting Schwartz in their first game
together as a unit, yielding just two sacks against on 90 plays,
while also making room for the Alberta running game to collect 272
yards. Veteran Smith Wright, a recent Edmonton Eskimo draft pick,
plays a key role in protection and short yard situations as
well.
There are a plethora of storylines along the sidelines as well;
Chris Morris and the majority of his staff are making their Foote
Field debuts, while Golden Bears offensive line coach Tim Prinsen
and offensive coordinator Rick Walters are making their return to
the Foote sidelines for the first time since 2009 for Prinsen, and
2006 for Walters. UBC’s coaching staff features former Bears
head coach Jerry Friesen, as the defensive coordinator, as well as
former Alberta’s coaches Frantz Clarkson (DBs) and former
Golden Bears’ player Jamie Stoddard. On top of that, UBC head
coach Shawn Olson was Ryan Schwartz’s offensive coordinator
when the pair were with the Simon Fraser University Clan
(2010).
19:00 Mount Allison (0-0) at StFX (0-0) (Eastlink TV & live webcast)