2008 MCMASTER FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2007 Regular Season Record: 5-3-0
2007 Regular Season Standings: 4th in OUA
2007 Playoff Record: 0-1
2007 Playoff Finish: Lost to Guelph in OUA Quarter-Final

OVERVIEW

After three seasons of playing at Ivor Wynne Stadium, McMaster will return to campus with the grand opening of the new $23 million dollar, Ron Joyce Stadium.

McMaster turned in a respectable 5-3 conference record in 2007 for a team that dressed 19 freshman.

Third year head coach Stefan Ptaszek and the Marauders will look to build upon this success in 2008.

McMaster will feature a solid receiving corp, including 2007 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) leading receiver Mike Bradwell (Toronto, ON). Bradwell was selected 13th overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft but did not participate in training camp due to injury. He is joined by 2008 East West Bowl participants Andrew Ross (Burlington, ON), Matt Giordano (Hamilton, ON) and East West Bowl, West team leading receiver Kevin D’Hollander (London, ON).

At the quarterback position, Adam Archibald, the second leading passer (6,313) in McMaster history has graduated. The role of the starting pivot for McMaster will be up for grabs in training camp with third year Ryan Fantham (London, ON), second year, Steve Sparks (Hamilton, ON), rookie, Kyle Quinlan (Woodslee, ON) and a cast of others competing for the duties.

The McMaster backfield will see the return of leading rusher, Joey Nemet (Burlington, ON – 92 carries for 382 yards and 2 TDs), fifth year senior and 2007 East West Bowl participant, Rob Mitchell (Lucan, ON) and Toronto Argonaut free agent acquisition Ugonna Ihewwoaba (Burlington, ON).

Defensively, McMaster will return 18 of the 23 players that dressed in the OUA quarter-finals. The Marauders will be led by fifth year senior, Simon Binder (Almonte, ON). He will be joined at the linebacker position by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Rookie of the Year Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, ON).

The McMaster defensive front four, will see the return of James Edwards (Hamilton, ON) and Mitchell Highway (London, ON) and three other 2007 dress roster players.

The McMaster secondary will return three of the five starters (Byron Metcalfe – Pickering, ON, Phil Mills – Abbotsford, BC and Kurt Morrison – Sault Ste. Marie, ON)

The bagpipe music will play once more at Les Prince Field (at Ron Joyce Stadium) as the Marauders take to the field for a 107th season.

HEAD COACH -- STEFAN PTASZEK

- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2008): 3
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2008): 3
- Career regular season record with team: 11-5
- Career regular season record in CIS: 11-5
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-7
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 11-7

QUOTES:

On the new Ron Joyce Stadium: "We are excited to return to campus for the 2008 season".

"For the last two years that I have served as head coach, we have played 8 road games each year. It will great to have a place to call home."

OFFENCE

Key Returning Players:

REC Mike Bradwell (Toronto, ON) - CIS leading receiver and first team All-Canadian in 2007 with 53 catches for 958 yards and 7 touchdowns. Drafted 13th overall in the 2007 CFL Draft. Did not participate in the Argos' training camp due to injury.

RB Joey Nemet (Burlington, ON) – McMaster leading rusher in 2007 with 92 carries for 382 yards and 2 TDs.

OT Justin Glover (Hamilton, ON). At 6-foot-2 and 299 lbs. he brings both size and strength to the McMaster offensive line.

QB Ryan Fantham (London, ON). Completed 27 of 40 passes for 405 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2007.

Key Recruits:

QB Kyle Quinlan (Woodslee, ON). Attended Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary school in Leamington, ON. Holds the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) record for Quarterback efficiency with a 133.6 QB rating. Named MVP of the 2007 OVFL Final.

OT Jason Medeiros (Hamilton, ON). A 6-foot-4, 265 lb. offensive lineman from St. Thomas More Secondary School.

REC Brad Fochesato (Windsor, ON). Attended Sandwich Secondary school. Leading career receiver with the Essex Ravens with 48 cathes for 945 yards and 9 touchdowns. (Andy Fantuz had 34 catches for 749 yards and 8 touchdowns as an Essex Raven).

Key Losses:

QB Adam Archibald (Kingston, ON). McMaster graduated the second-leading passer in Marauder history (6,313 career yards).

REC Rob Serviss (Waterloo, ON). A second team All-Canadian in 2007 with 34 catches for 562 yards and 4 touchdowns.

OG Shawn McCormick (Burlington, ON). A four year veteran offensive lineman.

REC Jordan Charter (Brantford, ON). The teams leading receiver In 2006. Struggled with injury (missed 3 games) in 2007.



DEFENCE

Key Returning Players:

LB Simon Binder (Almonte, ON). The leader of the McMaster defence. An OUA Second Team All-Star in 2006.

LB Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, ON). The OUA Rookie of the Year in 2007. Leading tackler in 2007 with 35 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles and 4 sacks.

DB Kurt Morrison (Sault Ste. Marie, ON). Third leading tackler in 2007 with 30 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles and 2 interceptions.

DE James Edwards (Hamilton, ON) The former East West Bowl participant returns for his fourth year.

Key Recruits:

DB Shane Beaton (Brampton, ON). Played High School football in Texas. Family now living in Brampton, ON.

LB John Hornby (Hamilton, ON). Attended St. Thomas More Secondary School in Hamilton graduating with two Golden Horseshoe Bowl senior
football championships.

DL Tanvir Bhangoo (Brampton, ON). One of the top interior high school linemen in the country. Stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 280 lbs. Attended Harold Braithwaite Secondary School in Brampton.

Key Losses:

LB Jason Arakgi (Oakville, ON). Drafted 20th overall in the 2008 CFL Draft. Currently playing in the CFL with the B.C. Lions.

DL Chris Van Zeyl (Fonthill, ON). Drafted 18th overall in the 2007 CFL Draft. Returned to McMaster to play last season. Currently playing in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes.

DL Kristian Consack (Toronto, ON). The fifth year starting lineman graduated last season for McMaster.



2008 Schedule

Sept. 1 - McMaster @ Queen's, 2 p.m.
Sept. 6 - McMaster @ Waterloo, 1 p.m.
Sept. 13 - Ottawa @ McMaster, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 - McMaster @ Guelph, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 - York @ McMaster, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 - Toronto @ McMaster, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 - McMaster @ Laurier, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18 - Windsor @ McMaster, 1 p.m.

Source: McMaster Athletics

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