August 22, 2008
OUA FOOTBALL TEAMS TUNE UP IN PRE-SEASON ACTION
HAMILTON, Ont. – As Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football teams continue their preparations for the upcoming 2008 regular season, a number of schools will participate in pre-season games and scrimmages this weekend.
The defending Yates Cup champion Western Mustangs will log the most frequent flyer miles as they travel to Quebec City to face defending Dunsmore Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or in the second meeting between these teams in as many years. Western will look to avenge a 20-2 loss at PEPS Stadium last August. Both teams were one victory short of playing in the 2007 Desjardins Vanier Cup last November. Greg Marshall’s Mustangs has a couple of OUA All-Stars back on his roster, including defensive halfback Corey McNair and defensive end Vaughn Martin.
In another cross-conference battle, the Ottawa Gee-Gees will play host to the Bishop’s Gaiters at Frank Clair Stadium. The Gee-Gees had a 2007 regular season to remember, but a playoff they would just as soon forget, as their bid for a perfect season was ended by Western in the OUA semifinals.
The Gee-Gees are poised to jump right back on the saddle, with fifth-year quarterback Josh Sacobie (pictured) a pre-season favourite to win the Hec Crighton Award. Sacobie is 2,261 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns short of the all-time CIS career records in both categories. Senior linebacker Joe Barnes also returns to the Gee-Gees for a final season.
Rounding out OUA-QUFL interleague play, Queen’s will visit the McGill Redmen at Percival Molson Stadium. Similar to Ottawa, Queen’s was an upset victim to Western in the OUA quarterfinal after a 6-2 regular season campaign. Running back Mike Giffin is preparing to defend his OUA rushing title.
Fans will also get an opportunity this weekend to get a look at two new venues in OUA. Hamilton’s Ron Joyce Stadium is the setting for a pre-season scrimmage between host McMaster and Windsor. This is a dress rehearsal for a regular season game between the schools on October 18. Laurier will get its first peak at the new Warrior Field on the campus of the University of Waterloo in a scrimmage against its cross-town rivals. These clubs play each other for real on September 27.
Pre-Season OUA Football Schedule
Aug. 23 - Windsor @ McMaster, 2 p.m. Ron Joyce Stadium
Aug. 24 - Laurier @ Waterloo, 10 a.m. Warrior Field
Aug. 24 - Western @ Laval, 12 p.m. PEPS Stadium
Aug. 24 - Bishop's @ Ottawa, 1 p.m. Frank Clair Stadium
Aug. 25 - Queen's @ McGill, 7 p.m. Percival Molson Stadium
Source: OUA Communications
The defending Yates Cup champion Western Mustangs will log the most frequent flyer miles as they travel to Quebec City to face defending Dunsmore Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or in the second meeting between these teams in as many years. Western will look to avenge a 20-2 loss at PEPS Stadium last August. Both teams were one victory short of playing in the 2007 Desjardins Vanier Cup last November. Greg Marshall’s Mustangs has a couple of OUA All-Stars back on his roster, including defensive halfback Corey McNair and defensive end Vaughn Martin.
In another cross-conference battle, the Ottawa Gee-Gees will play host to the Bishop’s Gaiters at Frank Clair Stadium. The Gee-Gees had a 2007 regular season to remember, but a playoff they would just as soon forget, as their bid for a perfect season was ended by Western in the OUA semifinals.
The Gee-Gees are poised to jump right back on the saddle, with fifth-year quarterback Josh Sacobie (pictured) a pre-season favourite to win the Hec Crighton Award. Sacobie is 2,261 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns short of the all-time CIS career records in both categories. Senior linebacker Joe Barnes also returns to the Gee-Gees for a final season.
Rounding out OUA-QUFL interleague play, Queen’s will visit the McGill Redmen at Percival Molson Stadium. Similar to Ottawa, Queen’s was an upset victim to Western in the OUA quarterfinal after a 6-2 regular season campaign. Running back Mike Giffin is preparing to defend his OUA rushing title.
Fans will also get an opportunity this weekend to get a look at two new venues in OUA. Hamilton’s Ron Joyce Stadium is the setting for a pre-season scrimmage between host McMaster and Windsor. This is a dress rehearsal for a regular season game between the schools on October 18. Laurier will get its first peak at the new Warrior Field on the campus of the University of Waterloo in a scrimmage against its cross-town rivals. These clubs play each other for real on September 27.
Pre-Season OUA Football Schedule
Aug. 23 - Windsor @ McMaster, 2 p.m. Ron Joyce Stadium
Aug. 24 - Laurier @ Waterloo, 10 a.m. Warrior Field
Aug. 24 - Western @ Laval, 12 p.m. PEPS Stadium
Aug. 24 - Bishop's @ Ottawa, 1 p.m. Frank Clair Stadium
Aug. 25 - Queen's @ McGill, 7 p.m. Percival Molson Stadium
Source: OUA Communications
