September 3, 2008
UNIVERSITY RUSH BEGINS 7TH SEASON WITH DOUBLEHEADER
HAMILTON, Ont. – Baseball legend Ernie Banks coined the phase "let's play two!" It is in that spirit that University Rush opens its seventh year of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football coverage.
For the first time ever, The Score will showcase not one but two games to begin the season. It is a chance for OUA fans to see three nationally-ranked teams in action, as well as both Yates Cup finalists from one year ago.
In the opener, the No. 7-ranked Queen's Gaels (1-0) travel west to tangle with the Guelph Gryphons (0-1). It is the first game at Alumni Stadium since the 2007 Yates Cup, when the Gryphons lost 34-21 to Western.
Guelph will face a Queen's team that is coming off an impressive 35-11 victory over McMaster on Labour Day. Running back Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.) picked up right where he left off last season, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns against the Marauders. The First-Team OUA and CIS All-Star is looking to add another rushing title to his resume after leading the conference with 1,157 yards in 2007.
Equally if not more impressive against McMaster was Jimmy Allin (Belleville, Ont.) as he returned nine punts for 129 yards, including a 75-yard return. He also tallied an interception.
"I think he's going to be a returner of consequences which our opponents found out," said Queen's head coach Pat Sheahan about Allin, an OUA Second-Team All-Star in 2007. "There were several punts deliberately kicked out of bounds. I think for good reason."
The Gryphons dropped a 15-13 decision at Laurier. Guelph has some positives to build on against Queen's as running back Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.) rushed for 111 yards, while receiver David Harrison (Waterdown, Ont.) caught six passes for 87 yards. Fitzgibbon was an OUA Second-Team All-Star last year.
Since 2001, the Gaels have a 5-1 record in head-to-head meetings against the Gryphons, including a 26-14 victory last year. Join play-by-play announcer Sid Seixeiro, analyst Ben Chapdelaine and sideline reporter Glenn Schiiler for all the action from Guelph. The game begins at 1 p.m. and is presented by Belairdirect. Car Insurance.
In the nightcap, the No. 5-ranked Western Mustangs (1-0) visit the No. 6-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0). It is the first meeting in two seasons between these clubs, with Laurier winning its last five games against Western.
The defending Yates Cup champions needed a full 60 minutes against Ottawa on Labour Day, coming back from a 31-13 deficit to win 35-31. The Mustangs scored 22-unanswered points, all in the fourth quarter.
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.) made the most of his opportunity in the backfield, as he carried the ball 19 times for 136 yards and one touchdown. Tremblay came on in relief of starting running back Ben Roberts (London, Ont.), who left the game with a knee injury in the second quarter.
"I just love running behind this big and strong offensive line," Tremblay said following Monday's game. "As a running back, you cannot be successful without a great offensive line. It feels great. It's beautiful to run behind a line like that."
Western linebacker John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.) was a defensive stalwart against the Gee-Gees, with a key sack in the fourth quarter and a timely forced fumble earlier in the game. He also contributed 7.5 tackles.
Laurier's win against Guelph was in large part due to the play of linebacker Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.) who returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown. He also tallied four total tackles.
"Execution both physically and mentally will need to get better for us to play against Western," said Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries.
With both teams being ranked fifth and sixth nationally, this is a key early-season contest on the OUA schedule. The game is presented by Wilson, with kick-off slated for 7 p.m. Play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef begins his seventh season as the voice of University Rush, and is joined by new analyst and former CFL great Mike Morreale and sophomore sideline reporter D.J Bennett.
GUELPH LEADERS
Passing
Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
14 completions, 29 attempts, 196 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
23 attempts, 111 yards, 0 touchdowns
Receiving
David Harrison (Waterdown, Ont.)
6 receptions, 87 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
Sean Riley (Burlington, Ont.)
2 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
QUEEN'S LEADERS
Passing
Dan Brannagan (Burlington, Ont.)
17 completions, 32 attempts, 288 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Rushing
Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.)
18 attempts, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Scott Valberg (Kingston, Ont.)
5 receptions, 132 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Thaine Carter (Nanaimo, B.C.)
7 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Jimmy Allin (Belleville, Ont.)
2 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 interception
LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Ian Noble (West Vancouver, B.C.)
19 completions, 29 attempts, 202 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch (Waterloo, Ont.)
12 attempts, 50 yards, 0 touchdowns
Receiving
Jeff Emberley (Oakville, Ont.)
2 receptions, 46 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Luke Pinder (Kitchener, Ont.)
6 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles
Courtney Stephenson (Brampton, Ont.)
1 solo tackle, 3 assisted tackles, 1 break-up, 1 interception
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
16 completions, 25 attempts, 170 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.)
19 attempts, 136 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy (Guelph, Ont.)
3 receptions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Corey McNair (London, Ont.)
8 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 1 break-up
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
5 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 break-up, 1 forced fumble
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
For the first time ever, The Score will showcase not one but two games to begin the season. It is a chance for OUA fans to see three nationally-ranked teams in action, as well as both Yates Cup finalists from one year ago.
In the opener, the No. 7-ranked Queen's Gaels (1-0) travel west to tangle with the Guelph Gryphons (0-1). It is the first game at Alumni Stadium since the 2007 Yates Cup, when the Gryphons lost 34-21 to Western.
Guelph will face a Queen's team that is coming off an impressive 35-11 victory over McMaster on Labour Day. Running back Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.) picked up right where he left off last season, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns against the Marauders. The First-Team OUA and CIS All-Star is looking to add another rushing title to his resume after leading the conference with 1,157 yards in 2007.
Equally if not more impressive against McMaster was Jimmy Allin (Belleville, Ont.) as he returned nine punts for 129 yards, including a 75-yard return. He also tallied an interception.
"I think he's going to be a returner of consequences which our opponents found out," said Queen's head coach Pat Sheahan about Allin, an OUA Second-Team All-Star in 2007. "There were several punts deliberately kicked out of bounds. I think for good reason."
The Gryphons dropped a 15-13 decision at Laurier. Guelph has some positives to build on against Queen's as running back Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.) rushed for 111 yards, while receiver David Harrison (Waterdown, Ont.) caught six passes for 87 yards. Fitzgibbon was an OUA Second-Team All-Star last year.
Since 2001, the Gaels have a 5-1 record in head-to-head meetings against the Gryphons, including a 26-14 victory last year. Join play-by-play announcer Sid Seixeiro, analyst Ben Chapdelaine and sideline reporter Glenn Schiiler for all the action from Guelph. The game begins at 1 p.m. and is presented by Belairdirect. Car Insurance.
In the nightcap, the No. 5-ranked Western Mustangs (1-0) visit the No. 6-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0). It is the first meeting in two seasons between these clubs, with Laurier winning its last five games against Western.
The defending Yates Cup champions needed a full 60 minutes against Ottawa on Labour Day, coming back from a 31-13 deficit to win 35-31. The Mustangs scored 22-unanswered points, all in the fourth quarter.
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.) made the most of his opportunity in the backfield, as he carried the ball 19 times for 136 yards and one touchdown. Tremblay came on in relief of starting running back Ben Roberts (London, Ont.), who left the game with a knee injury in the second quarter.
"I just love running behind this big and strong offensive line," Tremblay said following Monday's game. "As a running back, you cannot be successful without a great offensive line. It feels great. It's beautiful to run behind a line like that."
Western linebacker John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.) was a defensive stalwart against the Gee-Gees, with a key sack in the fourth quarter and a timely forced fumble earlier in the game. He also contributed 7.5 tackles.
Laurier's win against Guelph was in large part due to the play of linebacker Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.) who returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown. He also tallied four total tackles.
"Execution both physically and mentally will need to get better for us to play against Western," said Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries.
With both teams being ranked fifth and sixth nationally, this is a key early-season contest on the OUA schedule. The game is presented by Wilson, with kick-off slated for 7 p.m. Play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef begins his seventh season as the voice of University Rush, and is joined by new analyst and former CFL great Mike Morreale and sophomore sideline reporter D.J Bennett.
GUELPH LEADERS
Passing
Justin Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
14 completions, 29 attempts, 196 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
23 attempts, 111 yards, 0 touchdowns
Receiving
David Harrison (Waterdown, Ont.)
6 receptions, 87 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
Sean Riley (Burlington, Ont.)
2 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
QUEEN'S LEADERS
Passing
Dan Brannagan (Burlington, Ont.)
17 completions, 32 attempts, 288 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Rushing
Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.)
18 attempts, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Scott Valberg (Kingston, Ont.)
5 receptions, 132 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Thaine Carter (Nanaimo, B.C.)
7 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Jimmy Allin (Belleville, Ont.)
2 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 interception
LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Ian Noble (West Vancouver, B.C.)
19 completions, 29 attempts, 202 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Lynch (Waterloo, Ont.)
12 attempts, 50 yards, 0 touchdowns
Receiving
Jeff Emberley (Oakville, Ont.)
2 receptions, 46 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Luke Pinder (Kitchener, Ont.)
6 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles
Courtney Stephenson (Brampton, Ont.)
1 solo tackle, 3 assisted tackles, 1 break-up, 1 interception
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
16 completions, 25 attempts, 170 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
Rushing
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.)
19 attempts, 136 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy (Guelph, Ont.)
3 receptions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Corey McNair (London, Ont.)
8 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 1 break-up
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
5 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 break-up, 1 forced fumble
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
