Source: Ton von Richter, Western Sports Info
2013 Regular Season Record: 8-0
2013 Regular Season Standing: 1st in OUA
2013 Playoff Record: 2-1
2013 Playoff Finish: Lost 44-3 to Calgary in
Mitchell Bowl
After a 2013 season that saw them break multiple CIS and OUA records en route to capturing the 30th Yates Cup in school history, the Western Mustangs return to the field in 2014 looking to build off of last season’s successes.
The majority of last year’s offence that established a new OUA regular season scoring record with 458 points is back for 2014 and will once again be led by third-year quarterback Will Finch. The 2013 OUA MVP emerged as one of the country’s top pivots last season, setting new OUA milestones with 3,047 yards passing and a 69.7 completion percentage while also tossing 21 touchdowns and adding another five on the ground.
Joining Finch in the backfield will be the trio of Garret Sanvido, Yannick Harou, and Adam Sinclair. All three running backs have already experienced success in their CIS careers as Sanvido led the country in rushing in 2012 and Harou was named the OUA’s top rookie in the same season, while Sinclair appeared poised for a breakout year in 2013 before injuries cut his season short in late September. Despite injuries hampering all three backs last season, the trio combined for over 1,000 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.
Leading the receiving corps in 2014 will be returning all-Canadians George Johnson and Brian Marshall. Both receivers placed among the top 10 in most statistical categories last season and provided plenty of headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. Dynamic receiver and returner Matt Uren will also be a frequent target for Finch this season as will Justin Sanvido who returns for his third campaign.
While the majority of the offence is back from last season there will be a few new faces on the defensive side of the ball as defensive end Dylan Ainsworth and linebackers Pawel Kruba and Beau Landry have all made the jump to the CFL.
Despite a few changes, the Mustangs defence should be a strong point again this season and will be anchored by two-time all-Canadian Daryl Waud. Considered to be one of the top prospects for the 2015 CFL Draft, Waud leads a deep Mustangs defensive line that also features 2013 OUA all-star Ricky Osei-Kusi along with tackles Rory Connop and Rupert Butcher.
The strong defensive line will compliment a new-look linebacker corps led by Preston Huggins and Bishop’s Gaiters transfer Phil N’Djore. Both veterans are coming off of strong seasons that saw Huggins record 27 tackles while N’Djore contributed 28.5 stops to help the Gaiters host their first playoff game in 20 seasons. Joining Huggins and N’Djore will be the duo of Philippe Dion and Jean-Gabriel Poulin, who come to the Mustangs from La Belle Province. Dion and Poulin were both listed on Canada Football Chat’s Top 100 recruits list and bring all-star and championship credentials to the purple and white defence.
Western’s last line of defence will have a similar look this season with OUA all-Rookie Jesse McNair and the rest of the defensive backfield all with another year of experience under their belts, while London natives Mackenzie Ferguson and Craig Hinschberger should compliment their veteran teammates in their debut season.
Special teams will see perhaps the biggest change as CIS all-time leading scorer Lirim Hajrullahu moved on to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers which leaves the kicking and punting duties to former Montreal Carabin Zach Medeiros. Medeiros spent the 2013 campaign with the London Beefeaters of the Canadian Junior Football League and was recently drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft.
Quote from head coach
“I think we’ve got a good team with a great
group of core players,” said Mustangs head coach Greg
Marshall when asked about this year’s squad.
“We’ve got an experienced offence with depth at nearly
all positions, and we’re strong along the defensive line with
all-stars at a couple of different positions. We’re young at
linebacker and defensive back, but we’ve got good quality
players who have already shown they can succeed at this
level.”
“We’re excited, we’ve got a good team. Generally
I’m pretty optimistic anyways at the start of the season but
we had a good season last year and we can build off of that to be
competitive again this season.”
Head Coach: Greg Marshall
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including
2014): 8
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2014): 15
- Career regular season record with team: 44-12
- Career regular season record in CIS: 86-24-2
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 54-15
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):
113-37-2
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 11
Key Returning Players
Will Finch (QB) –
QB Will Finch returns for his third season with the Mustangs aiming
for another strong year after a highly successful 2013-14 in which
he was named OUA Most Valuable Player. Finch led the Mustangs
offence last year completing 191 of 274 passes, throwing for 21
touchdowns and running for an additional five scores in the regular
season. He set new OUA milestones for completion percentage with a
69.7% completion rate, as well as for passing yards with 3047
yards; a record-breaking performance that earned him a spot as an
OUA First Team All-Star and a nomination for the CIS Hec Crighton
Trophy.
George Johnson (REC)
George Johnson enters his third year with the Western Mustangs,
looking to build on a career year in 2013. Last season Johnson led
the OUA with 982 receiving yards and snagged 60 receptions and five
touchdowns while placing among the nation’s leaders in most
receiving categories. For his efforts last season he was named an
OUA first team all-star and a CIS First Team All-Canadian.
Yannick Harou (RB)
Running back Yannick Harou is back for his third season as a
Mustang, aiming for another strong season as running back. The
2013-14 season saw him post 80 rushes for 475 rushing yards, as
well as scoring eight touchdowns for the Mustangs. In playoff
action, Harou added another 210 rushing yards and four
touchdowns.
Brian Marshall (REC)
Receiver Brian Marshall will be gearing up for his fifth and final
season at Western. Marshall had yet another successful campaign
last year, catching 34 passes for 753 receiving yards and nine
touchdowns, as well as being named an OUA First Team All-Star. The
wide receiver was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2014 CFL
draft, although will be returning to the Mustangs for the 2014-15
season to complete his intercollegiate football career.
Key Recruits or Transfers:
Greg Bouchard (OL) - Hailing from Chicoutimi, Que., offensive lineman Greg Bouchard will make his debut with the Western Mustangs this fall. At 6’2” and 300 lbs., Bouchard will bring both size and experience to the Mustangs’ offence. He joins the Mustangs after playing for the Vanier Cheetahs, with whom he helped lead to a 2012 Bol D’Or Championship; also earning Division 1 CEGEP All-Star honours in the same year. Prior to joining the Cheetahs, Bouchard played for the Chicoutimi Mustangs. In 2011 he played for Team Quebec at the Football Canada Cup and was named a Tournament All-Star for his efforts. Most recently he was named to the 2014 CFC Top 100 list.
Zach Marcus (REC) - Zach Marcus is another player joining the Mustangs after appearing on the CFC Top 100 List. A London, Ont., native, Marcus will be making the change to purple and white after donning red and white for the St. Andrews College Saints. The 6’0 receiver also brings experience from closer to home, having suited up for the Jr. Mustangs squad. In addition to being named to the Class of 2013 CFC Top 100 list, Marcus also earned a spot on Team Ontario West for the 2012 Football Canada Cup, and served as captain of the team at the tournament.
Aarmin Purewal (OL) - Aarmin Purewal joins the Mustangs from Mount Douglas Secondary School in Victoria, B.C. A 6’5” offensive lineman, Purewal won three consecutive AAA Provincial Championships with Mount Douglas from 2011-13, and was named a Provincial All-Star in his last season with Mount Douglas. He was a member of the 2013 U-18 Team B.C. squad, and has also found himself listed as a CFC Top 100 player. He will look to continue on his success with the Mustangs this fall.
Mitchell Smiley (RB) - Sarnia, Ont., native Mitchell Smiley will suit up in purple and white for the first time this season after joining the team from Northern Collegiate Institute. The 6’1” running back also brings experience playing for the Jr. Mustangs. He was selected to play for Team Ontario at the 2013 Football Canada Cup, where he claimed a bronze medal, and was also named to the Team Ontario Selects roster to play against Team USA at the International Bowl this past February. Smiley is also a talented track athlete, and will look to use his speed to make a mark on the field.
Alex Taylor (RB) - Alex Taylor is a 5’10” running back who joins the Mustangs from St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg. In his time at St. Paul’s he helped lead the team to three consecutive Winnipeg High School League AAA provincial championships, ending his high school career with an undefeated season and the title of the Potter Division Elite Performance Centre Player of the Year. Taylor earned a spot on the CFC Top 100 list, and was also a member of the U-18 Team Manitoba squad at the 2012 Football Canada Cup.
Key Losses:
Eric Armitage (OL)
Offensive lineman Eric Armitage finished his intercollegiate
football career last season after spending five seasons as a
Mustang.
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: 9
Key Returning Players
Daryl Waud (DL)
Daryl Waud is back for a fourth season with the Mustangs, looking
to build on last year’s performance. In 2013-14 regular
season action Waud recorded 21 tackles, 18 assists, and 2.5 sacks
for Western, earning him a place as an OUA First Team All-Star as
well as CIS Second Team All-Canadian honours.
Ricky Osei-Kusi (DL)
Ricky Osei-Kusi returns for a fourth season after a strong 2013
season which saw him earn the first all-star nod of his career. An
OUA Second Team Defensive All-Star last season, Osei-Kusi recorded
15 solo tackles and four sacks for the Mustangs.
Rory Connop (DL)
Rory Connop will be gearing up for his fourth year of eligibility,
returning to Western for the 2014-15 season. The Edmonton, Alb.
native transferred from Boise State in 2012, and recorded 21.5
tackles and three sacks for the Mustangs during last year’s
regular season.
Jesse McNair (DB)
Jesse McNair is back for a second season with the Mustangs, looking
to continue on the success of his 2013-14 freshman season. Last
year McNair was named to the OUA All-Rookie List after a strong
debut campaign which saw him rack up 22 tackles, 18 solo, and one
interception in regular season action.
Key Recruits or Transfers:
Phillipe Dion (LB) - Another player who brings RSEQ experience with him, Dion most recently played for the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars in CEGEP Division I where he ranked fourth last season with 62 tackles. He was listed on the 2014 CFC Top 100 list, and will look to remain a physical presence on the gridiron during the upcoming season.
Mackenzie Ferguson (DB) - Mackenzie Ferguson is a defensive back who will suit up for his hometown beginning this fall. Ferguson joins the Mustangs from Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School, with whom he was named a Thames Valley Regional Athletics Association (TVRAA) All-Star in 2013. He has also played for the Jr. Mustangs and set the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) record in 2013 for the most individual interceptions in one game, recording five in a game against the Pickering Dolphins. In addition, Ferguson has earned OVFL All-Star honours for the past two seasons.
Craig Hinschberger (DB) - Another player gearing up for his hometown this season is Craig Hinschberger. A 6’1” defensive back, Hinschberger comes to the Mustangs from Mother Teresa Secondary School where he earned a 2013 TVRAA All-Star nod. He played for Team Ontario at the 2013 Football Canada Cup, where he was named a tournament all-star, and was also selected to play for Team Ontario in the International Bowl against Team USA in February, alongside fellow Mustang rookie Mitchell Smiley.
Phil N’Djore (LB) - Phil N’Djore joins the Mustangs from the RSEQ’s Bishop’s Gaiters for his fifth and final year of CIS eligibility. The 6’0”, 203 lbs., N’Djore played for the Gaiters from 2010-13, and the Gatineau, Que., native also brings CEGEP experience with him, having played for the Division I Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars from 2007-09. A multi-year starter at Bishop’s, he will look to use his athleticism and experience to make an impact as a linebacker with the Mustangs in the OUA this season.
Jean-Gabriel Poulin (LB) - Another CFC Top 100 player joining the Mustangs this season is Jean-Gabriel Poulin. Hailing from St. Nicolas Que. and standing at 6’1” and 225 lbs, Poulin most recently played with the CEGEP Division I Vanier Cheetahs, alongside fellow Mustangs’ new-comer Greg Bouchard. In 2012 he claimed a Bol D’Or Championship with the Cheetahs and at the 2013 IFAF U-19 Junior Championships, the linebacker helped Team Canada to a gold medal, and saw himself named to Team World for the 2013 international Bowl.
Key Losses:
Beau Landry (LB)
LB Beau Landry ended his CIS career on a high note, turning an
outstanding final season into a position in the CFL with the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Landry led the Mustangs last year with 46
tackles, including 36 solo stops and two sacks, and was also named
a CIS First Team All-Canadian. He was picked 8th overall by the
Tiger-Cats in the first round of the 2014 CFL Draft.
Pawel Kruba (LB)
Pawel Kruba wrapped up his final season in purple and white by
earning the title of CIS defensive player of the year. In his final
season at Western, Kruba earned CIS First Team All-Canadian honours
after a campaign in which he recorded 38 tackles, including 29 solo
and three interceptions. After spending five years as a Mustang,
the Windsor, Ont., native signed with the CFL’s Hamilton
Tiger-Cats in January of this year.
Dylan Ainsworth (DL)
Dylan Ainsworth was selected 11th overall by the Saskatchewan
Roughriders in the second round of the 2014 CFL draft, making the
2013 season the end of his university football career. In his final
campaign with the Mustangs, Ainsworth recorded 16 tackles, four
sacks, and seven tackles for loss, in addition to earning CIS
Second Team All-Canadian honours for the 2013 season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key Recruits or Transfers:
Zach Medeiros (K)
Kicker Zach Medeiros will be joining the Mustangs for their
upcoming 2014 campaign. A transfer from the Université de
Montréal Carabins, Medeiros attended the CFL regional
combine in Toronto in March of this year, and was one of only three
kickers to make the CFL selection list. Medeiros also has CJFL
experience under his belt, notably hitting a 53-yard field goal in
2012 with the London Beefeaters as a CJFL All-Canadian.
Key Losses:
Lirim Hajrullahu (K)
Lirim Harjullahu finished his intercollegiate football career in
style, putting up a final season performance that saw him become
the CIS’ all-time leading scorer, with 422 points over his
five years with the Mustangs. Harjullahu made the 2013 season one
for the books, setting a new OUA mark with 77 career field goals
and tying the OUA single-season record with 22 field goals in 2013.
He also earned two spots as an OUA First Team All-Star as both a
punter and a kicker, as well as CIS second team all-Canadian
honours as a kicker. Harjullahu now looks to start a successful
career in the CFL, having signed a contract with the Winnipeg Blue
Bombers in January of this year.