September 12, 2008
SLOW STARTS, BIG FINISHES FOR WESTERN
LONDON, Ont. - Despite the fact Waterloo lost to Toronto in Week 1, Toronto's first win in 49 games, the Warriors played a much better game against McMaster in a win last week.
Special teams coordinator and Mustangs assistant coach Mickey Donovan said his team is wary.
"We showed our guys film of these guys, they're a physical football team," Donovan said. "They'll get beat up and come back for more and want more."
Donovan, who played for Waterloo head coach Denis McPhee when he was a coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, said the coaching staff commands a great deal of respect at Waterloo.
"He gets the very most out of his guys," Donovan said. "When I was with the Tiger-Cats, guys who played for him, guys who played for Paopao, they wanted to work harder for the coaches. They bring that out in their players."
Despite an injury-plagued line-up that includes injuries to most of the starting secondary, Western's depth has stepped up considerably and helped them to a 2-0 start.
"We've been very lucky to have the depth. Guys like Josh Foster and Cory Watson weren't starters at first, but you never know when you're number's going to be called and they were ready," Donovan said.
Foster and Watson are expected to start at the corner.
"Younger guys have also stepped up, guys who are able to adjust, chip in on special teams and help in any situation," Donovan said.
Donovan notes that linemen Matt Norman, Mike Van Praet and Ahmad Jaradat have made immediate impacts.
"Often guys can't just come in during their first year and play, we've been very fortunate to have very good young players," he said. "These guys are stepping up and helping us, not hurting us."
And don't be surprised if the young guys are prepared for whatever the Warriors try to throw at Western. Donovan said to expect some trickery from the Warriors.
"They've got trick plays on special teams, fake plays, fake blitzes, special teams variety... we have to be alert of any type of trick play from them," Donovan said, nothing laterals and end-around plays were seen in viewing game-tape.
"When they come to play here, they have to do anything they can to find ways to build momentum," Donovan added. "Teams need to find ways to build momentum when they play at Western because our crowds are such a factor, our community is so supportive."
"We'll be ready to play and ready for whatever they throw at us."
The Mustangs also hope to improve in the first quarter after being outscored 24-0 in their first two games of the season in the opening 15 minutes.
The Warriors-Mustangs kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium. The game can be seen live on Rogers TV 13 in London or on a live stream at westernmustangs.ca, or heard live on CHRW Radio 94.9 FM in London or online at www.chrwradio.com/listen.
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Special teams coordinator and Mustangs assistant coach Mickey Donovan said his team is wary.
"We showed our guys film of these guys, they're a physical football team," Donovan said. "They'll get beat up and come back for more and want more."
Donovan, who played for Waterloo head coach Denis McPhee when he was a coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, said the coaching staff commands a great deal of respect at Waterloo.
"He gets the very most out of his guys," Donovan said. "When I was with the Tiger-Cats, guys who played for him, guys who played for Paopao, they wanted to work harder for the coaches. They bring that out in their players."
Despite an injury-plagued line-up that includes injuries to most of the starting secondary, Western's depth has stepped up considerably and helped them to a 2-0 start.
"We've been very lucky to have the depth. Guys like Josh Foster and Cory Watson weren't starters at first, but you never know when you're number's going to be called and they were ready," Donovan said.
Foster and Watson are expected to start at the corner.
"Younger guys have also stepped up, guys who are able to adjust, chip in on special teams and help in any situation," Donovan said.
Donovan notes that linemen Matt Norman, Mike Van Praet and Ahmad Jaradat have made immediate impacts.
"Often guys can't just come in during their first year and play, we've been very fortunate to have very good young players," he said. "These guys are stepping up and helping us, not hurting us."
And don't be surprised if the young guys are prepared for whatever the Warriors try to throw at Western. Donovan said to expect some trickery from the Warriors.
"They've got trick plays on special teams, fake plays, fake blitzes, special teams variety... we have to be alert of any type of trick play from them," Donovan said, nothing laterals and end-around plays were seen in viewing game-tape.
"When they come to play here, they have to do anything they can to find ways to build momentum," Donovan added. "Teams need to find ways to build momentum when they play at Western because our crowds are such a factor, our community is so supportive."
"We'll be ready to play and ready for whatever they throw at us."
The Mustangs also hope to improve in the first quarter after being outscored 24-0 in their first two games of the season in the opening 15 minutes.
The Warriors-Mustangs kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium. The game can be seen live on Rogers TV 13 in London or on a live stream at westernmustangs.ca, or heard live on CHRW Radio 94.9 FM in London or online at www.chrwradio.com/listen.
Source: Mustangs Athletics
