November 17, 2006
OUA WELL REPRESENTED IN MITCHELL BOWL, LIVE ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
Hamilton, Ontario - A trip to the national championship will fittingly go through the nation's capital. University Rush on The Score will feature a first-time matchup between two football powerhouses as the Ottawa Gee-Gees play host to the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 2006 Mitchell Bowl for a berth in the PotashCorp Vanier Cup.
Both teams are coming off so-called upset wins in their respective conference finals. Saskatchewan (6-2), ranked fourth in the CIS, walked into Canad Inns Stadium and defeated the country's top-ranked Manitoba Bisons, 32-15.
One of the more dominant teams in recent football history is the Saskatchewan Huskies. They practically have owned the Mitchell Bowl since its inception in 2002. Saskatchewan claimed the inaugural Mitchell Bowl game in 2002 at McGill before capturing the trophy two years in a row at home, against Saint Mary's (2004) and Laval (2005). If they play at home again this season, it will be for the national title. The Huskies have won six of their past seven CIS national semifinal appearances at the Mitchell, Churchill and Atlantic Bowls, but just two of six Vanier Cup appearances during that time, dating back to 1994. While they have dropped their past three visits at the national final in 2002, 2004 and 2005, they are one of the most feared programs in the country. Saskatchewan has been to five Vanier Cup games in the past decade and although they have not hoisted the national trophy since 1998, no team enjoys stepping on the field with them.
The Huskies boast the third most explosive offence in the CIS, averaging more than 35 points per contest. The continuing success on the field is due in large part to one of the legends on the sidelines, head coach Brian Towriss. In his 23rd year leading the Huskies, BT will be looking for his third consecutive and ninth overall bowl victory. As the longest-standing coach in the country, Towriss knows how to prepare his team for the national spotlight. Since taking over the team in 1984, his Huskies have an 8-2 record in national semifinals. Towriss has more postseason victories (29) than his countrerpart from Ottawa, Denis Piché, has regular season wins (26). The experience Towriss will bring to Frank Clair Stadium for Saturday's Mitchell Bowl cannot be matched, but the Gee-Gees have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, having already thrown aside the defending champs.
While it's been eight years since the Huskies have won the Vanier Cup, the Gee-Gees are just six years removed from their last crowning moment. Ottawa defeated Regina, 42-39, in a thriller at SkyDome in 2000. Fifth-year Ottawa head coach Denis Piché will make his Bowl game debut on Saturday and so will his entire roster. However this team is poised to regain national glory, boasting one of the most complete teams in the country. While several have tried this season, nobody has been able to find a weakness on this tough Ottawa roster.
The Gee-Gees gained instant experience in the 99th Yates Cup presented by Pioneer Petroleums last weekend, galloping through Wilfrid Laurier in impressive fashion. After trailing 14-2 in the second quarter, it was as if the Gee-Gees flipped a switch - rhyming off 30 unanswered points en route to the rout. Gee-Gees tailback Michael Donnelly (Ottawa), rushed for nine carries and 94 yards, all in the second half. Rookie tailback Dave Mason (Brampton, Ontario) had 20 carries for 85 yards, while fourth-year fullback Marc Lindell (Nepean, Ontario) scored twice on just three carries and 26 yards to ice the game for Ottawa. The Gee-Gees totalled 232 yards on the ground and 420 yards overall, compared to just 134 total yards by the Golden Hawks. Ottawa has been putting up these staggering numbers all season.
Third-year Gee-Gees quarterback Joshua Sacobie heads a list of 11 All-Stars on OUA Coach of the Year Denis Piché's roster, and there are a total of five fifth-years, including 2005 All-Canadians offensive lineman Kevin Kelly and corner Anthony Plante-Ajah. Sacobie passed for over 1,800 yards, with a 13-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. David Crane was his top target, with 32 catches for 596 yards and four touchdowns, while Adam Nicolson had an equal number of receptions, for 520 yards and two majors. Mason had 755 yards and three touchdowns, with an average of 6.5 yards per carry and Donnelly for an average of 6.6 and had over 400 yards for the season.
While the Gee-Gees offence is explosive, it's on defence where they really shine. They allowed a CIS-low 273 yards per game of net offence. The Ottawa defensive unit permitted just 72 yards per contest along the ground. In the Yates Cup game last weekend, 16 different players on defence made at least one tackle. This defensive corps works together unlike any team in recent memory. They are led by third-year linebacker Joe Barnes (Stoney Creek, Ontario) who totalled 55.5 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in seven games. Barnes is the only Gee-Gees player to rank in the Top 20 in the OUA in total tackles, accounting for the team-concept given to the Ottawa unit.
It's hard to believe that this is the first time Ottawa will face Saskatchewan. The Mitchell Bowl, live on University Rush will be a football treat pitting two special football programs that possess all the tools to win the big game. The OUA is well represented by a Gee-Gees club that earned the top spot in the conference. Their win last week was no fluke. This Ottawa team returns to the national spotlight waving the OUA flag in hopes of keeping the Vanier Cup within the province.
Ottawa Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Josh Sacobie, 7 GP, 124-204 (60.8%), 1860 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing
Davie Mason, 8 GP, 755 yards, 6.51 per carry, 3 TDs
Michael Donnelly, 8 GP, 402 yards, 6.59 per carry, 2 TDs
Receiving
David Crane, 8 GP, 32 catches, 596 yards, 4 TDs
Adam Nicolson, 7 GP, 32 catches, 520 yards, 2 TDs
Defence
Joe Barnes, 7 GP, 43.0 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT
Place Kicking
Ara Tchobanian, 8 GP, 12-17 (70.6%), 40 LG
Saskatchewan Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Bret Thompson, 8 GP, 100-186 (53.8%), 1583 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs
Rushing
Scott Stevens, 8 GP, 855 yards, 6.02 per carry, 8 TDs
Tyler O'Gorman, 7 GP, 706 yards, 7.43 per carry, 6 TDs
Receiving
Scott McHenry, 8 GP, 20 catches, 433 yards, 4 TDs
Leighton Heron, 8 GP, 25 catches, 404 yards, 2 TDs
Defence
Dylan Barker, SAF, 8 GP, 47.0 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT
Brian Guebert, DL, 7 GP, 27.0 tackles, 8.0 sacks
Place Kicking
Braden Suchan, 8 GP, 10-15 (66.7%), 44 LG
Remaining Schedule
Saturday, November 18, 2006
CIS semifinal: Mitchell Bowl
3:30 pm No. 4 Saskatchewan (8-2) at No. 3 Ottawa (9-1), The Score / RDS
CIS semifinal: Uteck Bowl
12:00 pm No. 10 Acadia (7-3) at No. 2 Laval (9-1), The Score / RDS
Saturday, November 25, 2006
CIS final: PotashCorp Vanier Cup
2:00 pm (3:00 pm Eastern) at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon, The Score / RDS
- OUA-
Both teams are coming off so-called upset wins in their respective conference finals. Saskatchewan (6-2), ranked fourth in the CIS, walked into Canad Inns Stadium and defeated the country's top-ranked Manitoba Bisons, 32-15.
One of the more dominant teams in recent football history is the Saskatchewan Huskies. They practically have owned the Mitchell Bowl since its inception in 2002. Saskatchewan claimed the inaugural Mitchell Bowl game in 2002 at McGill before capturing the trophy two years in a row at home, against Saint Mary's (2004) and Laval (2005). If they play at home again this season, it will be for the national title. The Huskies have won six of their past seven CIS national semifinal appearances at the Mitchell, Churchill and Atlantic Bowls, but just two of six Vanier Cup appearances during that time, dating back to 1994. While they have dropped their past three visits at the national final in 2002, 2004 and 2005, they are one of the most feared programs in the country. Saskatchewan has been to five Vanier Cup games in the past decade and although they have not hoisted the national trophy since 1998, no team enjoys stepping on the field with them.
The Huskies boast the third most explosive offence in the CIS, averaging more than 35 points per contest. The continuing success on the field is due in large part to one of the legends on the sidelines, head coach Brian Towriss. In his 23rd year leading the Huskies, BT will be looking for his third consecutive and ninth overall bowl victory. As the longest-standing coach in the country, Towriss knows how to prepare his team for the national spotlight. Since taking over the team in 1984, his Huskies have an 8-2 record in national semifinals. Towriss has more postseason victories (29) than his countrerpart from Ottawa, Denis Piché, has regular season wins (26). The experience Towriss will bring to Frank Clair Stadium for Saturday's Mitchell Bowl cannot be matched, but the Gee-Gees have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, having already thrown aside the defending champs.
While it's been eight years since the Huskies have won the Vanier Cup, the Gee-Gees are just six years removed from their last crowning moment. Ottawa defeated Regina, 42-39, in a thriller at SkyDome in 2000. Fifth-year Ottawa head coach Denis Piché will make his Bowl game debut on Saturday and so will his entire roster. However this team is poised to regain national glory, boasting one of the most complete teams in the country. While several have tried this season, nobody has been able to find a weakness on this tough Ottawa roster.
The Gee-Gees gained instant experience in the 99th Yates Cup presented by Pioneer Petroleums last weekend, galloping through Wilfrid Laurier in impressive fashion. After trailing 14-2 in the second quarter, it was as if the Gee-Gees flipped a switch - rhyming off 30 unanswered points en route to the rout. Gee-Gees tailback Michael Donnelly (Ottawa), rushed for nine carries and 94 yards, all in the second half. Rookie tailback Dave Mason (Brampton, Ontario) had 20 carries for 85 yards, while fourth-year fullback Marc Lindell (Nepean, Ontario) scored twice on just three carries and 26 yards to ice the game for Ottawa. The Gee-Gees totalled 232 yards on the ground and 420 yards overall, compared to just 134 total yards by the Golden Hawks. Ottawa has been putting up these staggering numbers all season.
Third-year Gee-Gees quarterback Joshua Sacobie heads a list of 11 All-Stars on OUA Coach of the Year Denis Piché's roster, and there are a total of five fifth-years, including 2005 All-Canadians offensive lineman Kevin Kelly and corner Anthony Plante-Ajah. Sacobie passed for over 1,800 yards, with a 13-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. David Crane was his top target, with 32 catches for 596 yards and four touchdowns, while Adam Nicolson had an equal number of receptions, for 520 yards and two majors. Mason had 755 yards and three touchdowns, with an average of 6.5 yards per carry and Donnelly for an average of 6.6 and had over 400 yards for the season.
While the Gee-Gees offence is explosive, it's on defence where they really shine. They allowed a CIS-low 273 yards per game of net offence. The Ottawa defensive unit permitted just 72 yards per contest along the ground. In the Yates Cup game last weekend, 16 different players on defence made at least one tackle. This defensive corps works together unlike any team in recent memory. They are led by third-year linebacker Joe Barnes (Stoney Creek, Ontario) who totalled 55.5 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception in seven games. Barnes is the only Gee-Gees player to rank in the Top 20 in the OUA in total tackles, accounting for the team-concept given to the Ottawa unit.
It's hard to believe that this is the first time Ottawa will face Saskatchewan. The Mitchell Bowl, live on University Rush will be a football treat pitting two special football programs that possess all the tools to win the big game. The OUA is well represented by a Gee-Gees club that earned the top spot in the conference. Their win last week was no fluke. This Ottawa team returns to the national spotlight waving the OUA flag in hopes of keeping the Vanier Cup within the province.
Ottawa Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Josh Sacobie, 7 GP, 124-204 (60.8%), 1860 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing
Davie Mason, 8 GP, 755 yards, 6.51 per carry, 3 TDs
Michael Donnelly, 8 GP, 402 yards, 6.59 per carry, 2 TDs
Receiving
David Crane, 8 GP, 32 catches, 596 yards, 4 TDs
Adam Nicolson, 7 GP, 32 catches, 520 yards, 2 TDs
Defence
Joe Barnes, 7 GP, 43.0 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT
Place Kicking
Ara Tchobanian, 8 GP, 12-17 (70.6%), 40 LG
Saskatchewan Regular Season Leaders
Passing
Bret Thompson, 8 GP, 100-186 (53.8%), 1583 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs
Rushing
Scott Stevens, 8 GP, 855 yards, 6.02 per carry, 8 TDs
Tyler O'Gorman, 7 GP, 706 yards, 7.43 per carry, 6 TDs
Receiving
Scott McHenry, 8 GP, 20 catches, 433 yards, 4 TDs
Leighton Heron, 8 GP, 25 catches, 404 yards, 2 TDs
Defence
Dylan Barker, SAF, 8 GP, 47.0 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT
Brian Guebert, DL, 7 GP, 27.0 tackles, 8.0 sacks
Place Kicking
Braden Suchan, 8 GP, 10-15 (66.7%), 44 LG
Remaining Schedule
Saturday, November 18, 2006
CIS semifinal: Mitchell Bowl
3:30 pm No. 4 Saskatchewan (8-2) at No. 3 Ottawa (9-1), The Score / RDS
CIS semifinal: Uteck Bowl
12:00 pm No. 10 Acadia (7-3) at No. 2 Laval (9-1), The Score / RDS
Saturday, November 25, 2006
CIS final: PotashCorp Vanier Cup
2:00 pm (3:00 pm Eastern) at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon, The Score / RDS
- OUA-
