October 20, 2006
FOOTBALL REGULAR SEASON CLOSES WITH A BANG, LIVE ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
Hamilton, Ontario - The curtain falls on the 2006 OUA football regular season in dramatic fashion this Saturday as the game of the week will feature the Windsor Lancers (5-2) playing host to the Vanier Cup champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (6-1) live on University Rush. Broadcast of the nationally televised game, sponsored by belairdirect.com, the official home and automotive insurance provider of the OUA, begins at 2 p.m.
While both teams have been guaranteed a playoff berth, there is still much to be decided in the OUA standings. A win for the defending national champions would ensure them a first-round bye in the postseason and an opportunity to rest and rehabilitate some bodies. A victory for the Lancers could mean a number of possibilities for the Top Five in the conference. Heading into the season finale, Ottawa and Laurier (6-1), Windsor, McMaster and Western Ontario (5-2) all boast a winning percentage of .714 or better, proving the strength of OUA football this season. The Gee-Gees (third), Golden Hawks (fifth) and Mustangs (10th) are also ranked nationally.
This weekend's tilt in Windsor pairs up two of the most offensively explosive teams in Canada. Windsor (227) and Wilfrid Laurier (224) sit one-two in the OUA in total points for. Led by one of the most prolific running backs in the history of Canadian university football, the Lancers enter the game ranked sixth in the CIS and first in the OUA with 446 yards per game average. Daryl Stephenson (London) is a name known throughout football fields at all levels nowadays. The third-year Human Kinetics major has reached the 1,000 yard plateau in each of his three seasons in the OUA, a feat never accomplished before throughout the CIS. Stephenson leads the nation with 1,036 yards and 150 carries while standing second in the CIS with 11 touchdowns.
Seven games into the season and everyone knows that the Lancers are not a one-horse team. In past years, there have been many universities who have benefited from the talents of one superstar. Make no mistake about it, this Windsor squad is complete. Despite having the nation's leading rusher, Lancers quarterback and local product Dan Lumley ranks third in the OUA in passing yards (1475) and second in the conference in passing yards per attempt (9.58) among pivots with 50 or more attempts. Third-year receiver Glenn MacKay (Burlington) sits third among OUA receivers with 621 yards on just 28 catches, that's a staggering average of 22.2 yards per reception.
Defensively, the Lancers are young and hungry. Four of the top six tacklers on the team have three years or less experience. Second-year linebacker John Celestino (Windsor) leads the team with 38.5 tackles to go along with two sacs. Collectively, Windsor has allowed just 78.6 yards on the ground per game, fourth-best in the nation.
Windsor will play its third game this season on University Rush. Last week, during their 23-13 win over Guelph on The Score, Lancers receiver Glenn MacKay hauled in seven receptions for 151 yards, including a clutch 83-yard catch for a major in the final quarter. He was named the RCA Lyra Player of the Game. Stephenson carried the ball 33 times for 150 yards and scored his conference-leading 11th rushing touchdown. Windsor placekicker Kevin Reider because the all-time leading scorer in Lancer football history with a field goal in the third quarter. In front of a nationally televised audience, Windsor secured their first winning record since 1987.
After losing in Week Two, 29-19, against third-ranked Ottawa, the Golden Hawks have rhymed off five consecutive wins, including decisive victories against McMaster on University Rush, and Western Ontario. Wilfrid Laurier looks to set themselves up for a third consecutive Yates Cup with a more favourable postseason schedule if they can pull off a win on Saturday. As Vanier Cup champions, everyone looks to knock them off. But the Golden Hawks bring a complete package to the field and the confidence of a winner.
WLU does not have a player in the OUA Top 10 in receiving yards, however they sit eighth in the nation in total offensive yards. Led by third-year Andy Baechler's 30 catches for 404 yards and five majors, the Golden Hawks have five players with 12 or more receptions and six players with receiving touchdowns. Having several weapons in the air makes their strong ground attack even more potent. Third-year running back Ryan Lynch (Waterloo) is second behind only Windsor's Stephenson in rushing yards. Lynch, an economics major, has totaled 834 yards on 136 carries, which includes five touchdowns. Quarterback Jamie Partington has taken all but nine snaps this season. The fifth-year Stoney Creek native has proven that he can lead the team after being backup to Ryan Pyear last season. Partington has completed 101-of-180 attempts (56.1%), totaling 1,388 yards with 12 majors, while running in one touchdown of his own. The Golden Hawks also have the most proficient place kicker in the OUA this season. Chris Mamo (London) is 12-for-14 (85.7%) with his longest coming from 37 yards.
The Golden Hawks defence has averaged only 14.9 points against per game this season. Leading the way for the Purple and Gold is linebacker Jesse Alexander (Kitchener). The six-foot-one, 225 communication studies majors ranks second in the nation with 52.5 total tackles, which includes 40 solo tackles. The aggressive senior also ranks second in the OUA with three interceptions.
The last meeting between Wilfrid Laurier and Windsor was Week Two last season. The Golden Hawks held Stephenson to just 60 yards on 13 carries en route to a convincing 47-24 win. The game was blown open in the second quarter when WLU scored three consecutive majors. Senior receiver Joel Wright had five catches on the day for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
The Golden Hawks own a 29-9-2 all-time regular season record against Windsor. However times have changed and this Windsor team cannot be taken lightly. As the 2006 OUA football season closes, the defending champs welcome the new kids on the block to a consistent national spotlight, found only on University Rush on The Score.
Windsor Leaders
Passing
Dan Lumley - 78 completions, 154 attempts, 1475 yards, eight touchdowns, six interceptions
Rushing
Daryl Stephenson - 150 rushes, 1036 yards, 11 touchdowns
Nick Romain - 21 rushes, 337 yards, seven touchdowns
Receiving
Glenn MacKay - 28 receptions, 621 yards, six touchdowns
Bryan Dufour - 12 receptions, 221 yards
Mike Harrington - nine receptions, 209 yards, one touchdown
Defence
John Celestino - 30 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, two sacs
Sasha Glavic - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackle, one sac, one interception
Tyler Horricks - 20 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, four sacs
Wilfrid Laurier Leaders
Passing
Jamie Partington - 101 completions, 180 attempts, 1388 yards, 12 touchdowns, eight interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch - 136 rushes, 834 yards, five touchdowns
Brodie Legein - 43 rushes, 297 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Andy Bachler - 30 receptions, 404 yards, five touchdowns
Josh Bishop - 15 receptions, 241 yards, one touchdown
Dante Luciani - 16 receptions, 240 yards, two touchdowns
Defence
Jesse Alexander - 40 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, one sack, three interceptions
Josh Maltin - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, one interception
Luke Pinder - 19 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, two sacks
- OUA -
While both teams have been guaranteed a playoff berth, there is still much to be decided in the OUA standings. A win for the defending national champions would ensure them a first-round bye in the postseason and an opportunity to rest and rehabilitate some bodies. A victory for the Lancers could mean a number of possibilities for the Top Five in the conference. Heading into the season finale, Ottawa and Laurier (6-1), Windsor, McMaster and Western Ontario (5-2) all boast a winning percentage of .714 or better, proving the strength of OUA football this season. The Gee-Gees (third), Golden Hawks (fifth) and Mustangs (10th) are also ranked nationally.
This weekend's tilt in Windsor pairs up two of the most offensively explosive teams in Canada. Windsor (227) and Wilfrid Laurier (224) sit one-two in the OUA in total points for. Led by one of the most prolific running backs in the history of Canadian university football, the Lancers enter the game ranked sixth in the CIS and first in the OUA with 446 yards per game average. Daryl Stephenson (London) is a name known throughout football fields at all levels nowadays. The third-year Human Kinetics major has reached the 1,000 yard plateau in each of his three seasons in the OUA, a feat never accomplished before throughout the CIS. Stephenson leads the nation with 1,036 yards and 150 carries while standing second in the CIS with 11 touchdowns.
Seven games into the season and everyone knows that the Lancers are not a one-horse team. In past years, there have been many universities who have benefited from the talents of one superstar. Make no mistake about it, this Windsor squad is complete. Despite having the nation's leading rusher, Lancers quarterback and local product Dan Lumley ranks third in the OUA in passing yards (1475) and second in the conference in passing yards per attempt (9.58) among pivots with 50 or more attempts. Third-year receiver Glenn MacKay (Burlington) sits third among OUA receivers with 621 yards on just 28 catches, that's a staggering average of 22.2 yards per reception.
Defensively, the Lancers are young and hungry. Four of the top six tacklers on the team have three years or less experience. Second-year linebacker John Celestino (Windsor) leads the team with 38.5 tackles to go along with two sacs. Collectively, Windsor has allowed just 78.6 yards on the ground per game, fourth-best in the nation.
Windsor will play its third game this season on University Rush. Last week, during their 23-13 win over Guelph on The Score, Lancers receiver Glenn MacKay hauled in seven receptions for 151 yards, including a clutch 83-yard catch for a major in the final quarter. He was named the RCA Lyra Player of the Game. Stephenson carried the ball 33 times for 150 yards and scored his conference-leading 11th rushing touchdown. Windsor placekicker Kevin Reider because the all-time leading scorer in Lancer football history with a field goal in the third quarter. In front of a nationally televised audience, Windsor secured their first winning record since 1987.
After losing in Week Two, 29-19, against third-ranked Ottawa, the Golden Hawks have rhymed off five consecutive wins, including decisive victories against McMaster on University Rush, and Western Ontario. Wilfrid Laurier looks to set themselves up for a third consecutive Yates Cup with a more favourable postseason schedule if they can pull off a win on Saturday. As Vanier Cup champions, everyone looks to knock them off. But the Golden Hawks bring a complete package to the field and the confidence of a winner.
WLU does not have a player in the OUA Top 10 in receiving yards, however they sit eighth in the nation in total offensive yards. Led by third-year Andy Baechler's 30 catches for 404 yards and five majors, the Golden Hawks have five players with 12 or more receptions and six players with receiving touchdowns. Having several weapons in the air makes their strong ground attack even more potent. Third-year running back Ryan Lynch (Waterloo) is second behind only Windsor's Stephenson in rushing yards. Lynch, an economics major, has totaled 834 yards on 136 carries, which includes five touchdowns. Quarterback Jamie Partington has taken all but nine snaps this season. The fifth-year Stoney Creek native has proven that he can lead the team after being backup to Ryan Pyear last season. Partington has completed 101-of-180 attempts (56.1%), totaling 1,388 yards with 12 majors, while running in one touchdown of his own. The Golden Hawks also have the most proficient place kicker in the OUA this season. Chris Mamo (London) is 12-for-14 (85.7%) with his longest coming from 37 yards.
The Golden Hawks defence has averaged only 14.9 points against per game this season. Leading the way for the Purple and Gold is linebacker Jesse Alexander (Kitchener). The six-foot-one, 225 communication studies majors ranks second in the nation with 52.5 total tackles, which includes 40 solo tackles. The aggressive senior also ranks second in the OUA with three interceptions.
The last meeting between Wilfrid Laurier and Windsor was Week Two last season. The Golden Hawks held Stephenson to just 60 yards on 13 carries en route to a convincing 47-24 win. The game was blown open in the second quarter when WLU scored three consecutive majors. Senior receiver Joel Wright had five catches on the day for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
The Golden Hawks own a 29-9-2 all-time regular season record against Windsor. However times have changed and this Windsor team cannot be taken lightly. As the 2006 OUA football season closes, the defending champs welcome the new kids on the block to a consistent national spotlight, found only on University Rush on The Score.
Windsor Leaders
Passing
Dan Lumley - 78 completions, 154 attempts, 1475 yards, eight touchdowns, six interceptions
Rushing
Daryl Stephenson - 150 rushes, 1036 yards, 11 touchdowns
Nick Romain - 21 rushes, 337 yards, seven touchdowns
Receiving
Glenn MacKay - 28 receptions, 621 yards, six touchdowns
Bryan Dufour - 12 receptions, 221 yards
Mike Harrington - nine receptions, 209 yards, one touchdown
Defence
John Celestino - 30 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, two sacs
Sasha Glavic - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackle, one sac, one interception
Tyler Horricks - 20 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, four sacs
Wilfrid Laurier Leaders
Passing
Jamie Partington - 101 completions, 180 attempts, 1388 yards, 12 touchdowns, eight interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch - 136 rushes, 834 yards, five touchdowns
Brodie Legein - 43 rushes, 297 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Andy Bachler - 30 receptions, 404 yards, five touchdowns
Josh Bishop - 15 receptions, 241 yards, one touchdown
Dante Luciani - 16 receptions, 240 yards, two touchdowns
Defence
Jesse Alexander - 40 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, one sack, three interceptions
Josh Maltin - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, one interception
Luke Pinder - 19 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, two sacks
- OUA -
