UNIVERSITY RUSH HELPS OPEN NEW RON JOYCE STADIUM

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HAMILTON, Ont. – University Rush helps usher in a new era at McMaster as the Marauders play host to the No. 6 Ottawa Gee-Gees in the inaugural Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football game at Ron Joyce Stadium.

It is the Marauders first game on the McMaster campus in three seasons, as the team has called Ivor Wynne Stadium home during the construction of their new venue. The new stadium cost $23 million to build and has 6,000 permanent seats. Ron Joyce, who the venue is named after, donated $10 million to the project, the largest donation to athletics in Canada at the time. The entire project is part of $57 million invested in new facility development on the campus over the past five years, including the development of Alumni Field, and renovations to Burridge Gymnasium and Ivor Wynne Centre.

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Some of the perks of Ron Joyce Stadium include a brand new artificial soft surface, sound system, video board, 18,000 square feet of locker room space, underground parking for 335 cars and a concourse level for washrooms, concessions and merchandise.

The road has not been friendly to the Marauders this season, as they look forward to using their home crowd as an advantage. McMaster dropped a 35-11 decision at Queen’s on Labour Day and followed this up with a 30-17 defeat at Waterloo last Saturday.

McMaster played both games at a disadvantage, with all but three of its points this season coming in the fourth quarter. The Marauders (0-2) fell behind 35-4 against Queen’s before scoring their first touchdown in the final minute of the game. It was a similar story in Waterloo, as the Marauders trailed 23-3 in the fourth quarter. While McMaster scored two converted touchdowns to cut the deficit to six, the Warriors pulled away from the Marauders in the end.

Running back Tony Okorodudu (Hamilton, Ont.) scored both touchdowns against the Warriors in a losing effort, one on a 15-yard carry and another on a 16-yard reception. McMaster’s other touchdown this season came on a three-yard reception by Sean Fahey (Mississauga, Ont.)

Statistically, McMaster quarterback Steven Sparks is among the leaders in OUA passing percentage, completing 64 percent of his passes. He is 39 of 61 passing for 433 yards and two touchdowns.

Ottawa is an offensive force to be reckoned with, having scored an OUA-high 102 points this year. The Gee-Gees (1-1) are led by fifth-year pivot Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, NB), who has a number of records in his sight. He set the mark for career OUA touchdown passes last Saturday with 67. Sacobie has passed for 8,379 yards, and is in reach of CIS and OUA record holder Ben Chapdelaine’s mark of 9,974. Chapdelaine, who played for McMaster from 1997 to 2001, also sees his OUA record 609 completions and 1,107 attempts in jeopardy, as Sacobie is 527-of-915 for his career.

Sacobie isn’t wrapped up about personal numbers, but has his eyes on the big prize at the end.

"I am five years playing here and I can't keep numbers on everything," said Sacobie. "I am not a numbers chaser but a Vanier Cup chaser."

Sacobie has a new weapon in his arsenal in Acadia transfer Ivan Birungi (Pickering, Ont.). The former two-time AUS player of the year is among the league leaders in receiving yards, catching 10 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

Birungi is one of five transfers that have joined Ottawa this season. Fifth-year cornerback Nial Both (Kitchener, Ont.) recently joined the Gee-Gees and could make his debut on University Rush this Saturday. The 27-year old played two seasons at Wilfrid Laurier (2002-03) and two at Saint Mary’s (2005-06). Both sees this as his final opportunity to play university football.

“I didn’t want to look two or three years from now and think ‘I should have taken care of this,’” said Both. “I talked to coach and we made it happen.”

“I still have the football bug in me.”

Other transfers that have made an impact for Ottawa this season include fourth-year receiver Ron Kelly (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) formerly of Saint Mary’s, fifth-year linebacker Ian Hazlett (Ottawa, Ont.) formerly of Queen’s and fifth-year centre Sean O’Donnell (Nanaimo, BC) formerly of Queen’s.

Ottawa lost at Western 35-31 before defeating York in its home opener 71-3.

Saturday’s game is presented by Pizza Pizza. Join play-by-play man Tim Micallef, analyst and former McMaster player Mike Morreale and sideline reporter D.J Bennett at 7 p.m. on The Score.

MCMASTER LEADERS

Passing
Steven Sparks (Hamilton, Ont.)
39 completions, 61 attempts, 433 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Rushing
Joey Nemet (Burlington, Ont.)
27 attempts, 155 yards, 0 touchdowns

Receiving
Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.)
11 receptions, 137 yards, 0 touchdowns

Defence
Simon Binder (Almonte, Ont.)
6 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 1 sack

Kurt Morrison (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.)
6 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 2 interceptions

OTTAWA LEADERS

Passing
Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, NB)
31 completions, 49 attempts, 665 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception

Rushing
Davie Mason (Brampton, Ont.)
29 attempts, 150 yards, 2 touchdowns

Receiving
Ivan Birungi (Pickering, Ont.)
10 receptions, 294 yards, 3 touchdowns

Defence
Michael Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 1 sack

Maxime Bédard (Granby, Que.)
6 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 1 interception

– 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.