November 3, 2006
YATES CUP REVENGE OR TRIPLE CROWN GLORY, LIVE ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
Hamilton, Ontario - Success is the sweetest revenge. Veterans of the Western Ontario Mustangs (5-3) must have a vivid picture of Wilfrid Laurier (6-2) hoisting their second straight Yates Cup last season after a 29-11 victory in the OUA championship. Now, after an emotional quarter-final win against Windsor last week, the Mustangs return to University Stadium in Waterloo to seek revenge against Wilfrid Laurier with a trip to the 99th Yates Cup on the line. The rematch will be broadcast live across Canada as part of University Rush on The Score Television Network. The game, presented by Wilson, kicks off at 1 p.m.
The defending Vanier Cup champion Golden Hawks are looking for their third consecutive Yates Cup. In order to reach the OUA championship game, they need to defeat a Mustangs squad full of confidence and determination. Western Ontario walked into Windsor and defeated the favoured-Lancers in a mudbath with negative passing yards (-4), and prolonged the career of legendary head coach Larry Haylor, who is stepping down from the ranks at the conclusion of the Mustangs season. While Western Ontario will be coming into the game Saturday riding a wave of positivism, the Golden Hawks will take to the field with an invaluable week's rest.
"I think the health is number one," expressed Golden Hawks Head Coach Gary Jeffries. "That rest (in the bye week) has helped a great deal. Secondly, I think it's a bit of a break in such a hectic time with midterms that they can take a step back after 10 weeks of flying and it gives them a chance to reload and get ready for the playoffs. We've had great practices as a result. It's almost like a new season."
The Golden Hawks must have enjoyed their 2006 campaign. The Purple and Gold finished second behind Ottawa in a season which included an impressive 16-point win over the Mustangs back on September 23. WLU spotted Western Ontario a 15-0 lead, before running away with the 34-18 victory. In the game, the Mustangs could mustard just 45 rushing yards, but they have shown the OUA that it's a much improved and resilient squad from six weeks ago. Since that time, UWO has lost its starting quarterback Michael Faulds to a broken hand and has been forced to use a pair of talented but inexperienced backup pivots in fourth-year Mark Howard (London) and Hayden Marks (London). Howard did not complete a pass in the regular season and went two-for-10 last week, totalling minus-four yards, but led an offence that earned a quarter-final win. Marks was 11-for-28 for 196 yards during the 2006 campaign and threw for three interceptions. All of the numbers can be thrown out the window because they earned the rite to be where they are. The Mustangs adjusted their personnel as best they could and continue to learn on the go.
"It's basically the same people (from Week Four), save for our quarterback," explained Haylor. "Without Michael (Faulds) on offence we're leaning more on the run, which is tough against Laurier, and probably not as certain as to what we can do best under pressure with our quarterbacks. Hayden is practicing very well and competing very well, so our quarterback is a work in progress. Prior to this, it was not. It was more stable and secure. We will obviously miss that but need to find a way to win."
If Western Ontario can get another strong outing from running back Jay Akindolire (London), they could be headed for good things. In last week's monsoon-like quarter-final, Akindolire carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Mustangs offensive line proved their worth in Windsor with sensational play in horrific playing conditions. In the semifinal, they will be forced to take their game to a new level. This week, they will be facing a Golden Hawks defence that is nothing short of spectacular.
Veteran linebacker Jesse Alexander (Kitchener) leads a tough-minded unit with 56.5 regular-season, tops in the OUA and fourth in the country. Western will also have their hands full with fourth-year linebacker Yannick Carter (Pickering, Ontario) who has more sacks, 9.5, than any other player in Canada. He's followed in the OUA by teammate defensive back Justin Phillips, who totalled 5.5 sacks. This defence does not like to sit back, they are aggressive, hard hitting, and have proven to make big plays on a regular basis.
While the Mustangs hold a 12-4 postseason record against Wilfrid Laurier, the team from Waterloo has captured the past two playoff meetings and past two regular season competitions. A victory for the Golden Hawks means a chance at becoming just the fourth team since 1979 to win three consecutive Yates Cups. A win would also mean farewell to a coaching icon from Western Ontario. With so much on the line, it's fitting to have the two teams showcased in front of a nationally-televised audience on University Rush presented by Wilson
Wilfrid Laurier Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Jamie Partington - 124 completions, 218 attempts, 1741 yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch - 143 rushes, 864 yards, five touchdowns
Brodie Legein - 55 rushes, 348 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Adam Baechler - 38 receptions, 557 yards, seven touchdowns
Josh Bishop - 19 receptions, 287 yards, one touchdown
Dante Luciani - 17 receptions, 277 yards, two touchdowns
Defence
Jess Alexander - 43 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, one sac, three interceptions
Josh Maltin - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackle, one interception
Yannick Carter - 23 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, nine sacs, one interception
Western Ontario Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Michael Faulds - 130 completions, 243 attempts, 1596 yards, eight touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Hayden Marks - 11 completions, 28 attempts, 196 yards, three interceptions
Rushing
DJ Bennett - 94 rushes, 491 yards, five touchdowns
Randy Mcauley - 64 rushes, 398 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy - 20 receptions, 364 yards, two touchdowns
Josh Starr - 22 receptions, 305 yards, two touchdowns
Jay Leroy - 21 receptions, 291 yards
Defence
Tyler Cook - 42 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, two sacs
Corey McNair - 40 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, two sacs, one interception
Chris Greenwood - 34 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one interception
- OUA -
The defending Vanier Cup champion Golden Hawks are looking for their third consecutive Yates Cup. In order to reach the OUA championship game, they need to defeat a Mustangs squad full of confidence and determination. Western Ontario walked into Windsor and defeated the favoured-Lancers in a mudbath with negative passing yards (-4), and prolonged the career of legendary head coach Larry Haylor, who is stepping down from the ranks at the conclusion of the Mustangs season. While Western Ontario will be coming into the game Saturday riding a wave of positivism, the Golden Hawks will take to the field with an invaluable week's rest.
"I think the health is number one," expressed Golden Hawks Head Coach Gary Jeffries. "That rest (in the bye week) has helped a great deal. Secondly, I think it's a bit of a break in such a hectic time with midterms that they can take a step back after 10 weeks of flying and it gives them a chance to reload and get ready for the playoffs. We've had great practices as a result. It's almost like a new season."
The Golden Hawks must have enjoyed their 2006 campaign. The Purple and Gold finished second behind Ottawa in a season which included an impressive 16-point win over the Mustangs back on September 23. WLU spotted Western Ontario a 15-0 lead, before running away with the 34-18 victory. In the game, the Mustangs could mustard just 45 rushing yards, but they have shown the OUA that it's a much improved and resilient squad from six weeks ago. Since that time, UWO has lost its starting quarterback Michael Faulds to a broken hand and has been forced to use a pair of talented but inexperienced backup pivots in fourth-year Mark Howard (London) and Hayden Marks (London). Howard did not complete a pass in the regular season and went two-for-10 last week, totalling minus-four yards, but led an offence that earned a quarter-final win. Marks was 11-for-28 for 196 yards during the 2006 campaign and threw for three interceptions. All of the numbers can be thrown out the window because they earned the rite to be where they are. The Mustangs adjusted their personnel as best they could and continue to learn on the go.
"It's basically the same people (from Week Four), save for our quarterback," explained Haylor. "Without Michael (Faulds) on offence we're leaning more on the run, which is tough against Laurier, and probably not as certain as to what we can do best under pressure with our quarterbacks. Hayden is practicing very well and competing very well, so our quarterback is a work in progress. Prior to this, it was not. It was more stable and secure. We will obviously miss that but need to find a way to win."
If Western Ontario can get another strong outing from running back Jay Akindolire (London), they could be headed for good things. In last week's monsoon-like quarter-final, Akindolire carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Mustangs offensive line proved their worth in Windsor with sensational play in horrific playing conditions. In the semifinal, they will be forced to take their game to a new level. This week, they will be facing a Golden Hawks defence that is nothing short of spectacular.
Veteran linebacker Jesse Alexander (Kitchener) leads a tough-minded unit with 56.5 regular-season, tops in the OUA and fourth in the country. Western will also have their hands full with fourth-year linebacker Yannick Carter (Pickering, Ontario) who has more sacks, 9.5, than any other player in Canada. He's followed in the OUA by teammate defensive back Justin Phillips, who totalled 5.5 sacks. This defence does not like to sit back, they are aggressive, hard hitting, and have proven to make big plays on a regular basis.
While the Mustangs hold a 12-4 postseason record against Wilfrid Laurier, the team from Waterloo has captured the past two playoff meetings and past two regular season competitions. A victory for the Golden Hawks means a chance at becoming just the fourth team since 1979 to win three consecutive Yates Cups. A win would also mean farewell to a coaching icon from Western Ontario. With so much on the line, it's fitting to have the two teams showcased in front of a nationally-televised audience on University Rush presented by Wilson
Wilfrid Laurier Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Jamie Partington - 124 completions, 218 attempts, 1741 yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch - 143 rushes, 864 yards, five touchdowns
Brodie Legein - 55 rushes, 348 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Adam Baechler - 38 receptions, 557 yards, seven touchdowns
Josh Bishop - 19 receptions, 287 yards, one touchdown
Dante Luciani - 17 receptions, 277 yards, two touchdowns
Defence
Jess Alexander - 43 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, one sac, three interceptions
Josh Maltin - 26 solo tackles, six assisted tackle, one interception
Yannick Carter - 23 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, nine sacs, one interception
Western Ontario Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Michael Faulds - 130 completions, 243 attempts, 1596 yards, eight touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Hayden Marks - 11 completions, 28 attempts, 196 yards, three interceptions
Rushing
DJ Bennett - 94 rushes, 491 yards, five touchdowns
Randy Mcauley - 64 rushes, 398 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy - 20 receptions, 364 yards, two touchdowns
Josh Starr - 22 receptions, 305 yards, two touchdowns
Jay Leroy - 21 receptions, 291 yards
Defence
Tyler Cook - 42 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, two sacs
Corey McNair - 40 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, two sacs, one interception
Chris Greenwood - 34 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one interception
- OUA -
