October 9, 2008
FOOTBALL MUSTANGS LOOK TO LOCK UP HOME PLAYOFF GAME THURSDAY IN TORONTO
LONDON, Ont. - One year ago, TD Waterhouse Stadium saw its parking lot lined with television crews, satellite trucks and national media.
They were all on hand for Toronto's record-setting day against the Western Mustangs.
The problem for Toronto was that it was a 49-game losing streak that was recorded.
National, provincial and local media talked with players and coaches from both sides about the 44-1 Western win. Toronto players and coaches were embarrassed and committed to making a change.
But even last year's team, under former bench-boss Steve Howlett, showed promise. Despite the lopsided score, Toronto looked much improved from their previous meeting with the Mustangs in 2006. Their offence, in particular, forced the Western defence to work.
And remember Western was in must-win territory, too.
This year's turnaround can be a credit to the hard work of Howlett, who never gave up on his squad. He helped them through what was certainly a difficult time.
A new head coach with new ideas and the ability to add to Howlett's work in Greg De Laval has helped the Toronto Varsity Blues team to win two out of six regular season games in 2008 thanks to a blend of fresh faces and fifth-year talent.
Quarterback David Hamilton (Mississauga, Ont.) and go-to receiver Mark Stinson (Calgary, Alta.) are the nucleus.
Trickery and surprise plays designed to have the running back throw the ball, or the occasional end-around attempt to put the ball in the hands of a wide receiver, are not out of the ordinary.
The 2-4 Varsity Blues hope to spoil Western's bid to clinch home-field advantage and the all important opening round playoff bye.
They still remember the 49-game losing streak, which was extended to 50 games a week later against Queen's, and want payback.
They're capable of the unpredictable. In the first game this season, the Blues upset Waterloo 18-17 on a 32-yard field goal in the dying seconds from freshman kicker Andrew Lomasney (Toronto, Ont.) at Varsity Stadium.
It was a sign that, perhaps, Toronto's football program is returning to its former greatness. But like anything in sport, developing into a contender takes time.
After a Week 2 loss to Windsor, 38-14, defeating York 58-7 in Week 3 was just what the Blues needed. They've been in tough in Weeks 4 and 5 with losses to undefeated Queen's and defending Yates Cup finalists Guelph.
In Week 6, the Blues fell to McMaster 27-19 in a 342-yard performance from Hamilton.
Western will see just how far the Blues have come on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. - the Mustangs players and coaches are not taking this game lightly. Toronto must win against Western and then in Week 8 against Ottawa to keep its playoff hopes alive.
The Mustangs will get a second chance at a first-round bye against Guelph in Week 8 but do not want to face a must-win scenario in their final regular season game of the year.
MILESTONE AND RECORD WATCH
- Michael Faulds enters the game with 7,083 regular passing yards and hopes to become the second quarterback in Western history to reach the 8,000-yd milestone. Chris Hessel has 8,637 passing yards in his career with Western (1998, 2001-2004). The fourth-year quarterback from Eden Mills, Ont., is 129/211 for 1,901 passing yards this season. Hessel's single-season record of 2,806 passing yards (2002) could be in jeopardy. He's also got 13 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. Also effective on the ground, Faulds has 149 yards on 31 attempts and two touchdowns. He is just 31 yards off the career regular season and playoff mark of 8,000 yards, entering the game with 7,969 yards.
- Fifth Year safety Matt Carapella (London, Ont.) is just one interception off the OUA record of 21 held by Peter McNabb who played with Toronto and Queen's from 1970-72 and 1973-74. He may even be in attendance at the game. The CIS/CIAU record of 24 is held by Bob Coffin of Saskatchewan (1970-74).
OTHER GAMES IN WEEK 7
Oct. 9
Western at Toronto, 7 p.m. (CHRW Radio, 94.9 FM London, www.chrwradio.com/listen)
Oct. 10
Waterloo at Windsor, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11
McMaster at Laurier (Knight-Newbrough Field), 1 p.m.
York at Guelph, 1 p.m.
Ottawa at Queen's, 1 p.m. (The Score)
Source: Mustangs Athletics
They were all on hand for Toronto's record-setting day against the Western Mustangs.
The problem for Toronto was that it was a 49-game losing streak that was recorded.
National, provincial and local media talked with players and coaches from both sides about the 44-1 Western win. Toronto players and coaches were embarrassed and committed to making a change.
But even last year's team, under former bench-boss Steve Howlett, showed promise. Despite the lopsided score, Toronto looked much improved from their previous meeting with the Mustangs in 2006. Their offence, in particular, forced the Western defence to work.
And remember Western was in must-win territory, too.
This year's turnaround can be a credit to the hard work of Howlett, who never gave up on his squad. He helped them through what was certainly a difficult time.
A new head coach with new ideas and the ability to add to Howlett's work in Greg De Laval has helped the Toronto Varsity Blues team to win two out of six regular season games in 2008 thanks to a blend of fresh faces and fifth-year talent.
Quarterback David Hamilton (Mississauga, Ont.) and go-to receiver Mark Stinson (Calgary, Alta.) are the nucleus.
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Trickery and surprise plays designed to have the running back throw the ball, or the occasional end-around attempt to put the ball in the hands of a wide receiver, are not out of the ordinary.
The 2-4 Varsity Blues hope to spoil Western's bid to clinch home-field advantage and the all important opening round playoff bye.
They still remember the 49-game losing streak, which was extended to 50 games a week later against Queen's, and want payback.
They're capable of the unpredictable. In the first game this season, the Blues upset Waterloo 18-17 on a 32-yard field goal in the dying seconds from freshman kicker Andrew Lomasney (Toronto, Ont.) at Varsity Stadium.
It was a sign that, perhaps, Toronto's football program is returning to its former greatness. But like anything in sport, developing into a contender takes time.
After a Week 2 loss to Windsor, 38-14, defeating York 58-7 in Week 3 was just what the Blues needed. They've been in tough in Weeks 4 and 5 with losses to undefeated Queen's and defending Yates Cup finalists Guelph.
In Week 6, the Blues fell to McMaster 27-19 in a 342-yard performance from Hamilton.
Western will see just how far the Blues have come on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. - the Mustangs players and coaches are not taking this game lightly. Toronto must win against Western and then in Week 8 against Ottawa to keep its playoff hopes alive.
The Mustangs will get a second chance at a first-round bye against Guelph in Week 8 but do not want to face a must-win scenario in their final regular season game of the year.
MILESTONE AND RECORD WATCH
- Michael Faulds enters the game with 7,083 regular passing yards and hopes to become the second quarterback in Western history to reach the 8,000-yd milestone. Chris Hessel has 8,637 passing yards in his career with Western (1998, 2001-2004). The fourth-year quarterback from Eden Mills, Ont., is 129/211 for 1,901 passing yards this season. Hessel's single-season record of 2,806 passing yards (2002) could be in jeopardy. He's also got 13 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. Also effective on the ground, Faulds has 149 yards on 31 attempts and two touchdowns. He is just 31 yards off the career regular season and playoff mark of 8,000 yards, entering the game with 7,969 yards.
- Fifth Year safety Matt Carapella (London, Ont.) is just one interception off the OUA record of 21 held by Peter McNabb who played with Toronto and Queen's from 1970-72 and 1973-74. He may even be in attendance at the game. The CIS/CIAU record of 24 is held by Bob Coffin of Saskatchewan (1970-74).
OTHER GAMES IN WEEK 7
Oct. 9
Western at Toronto, 7 p.m. (CHRW Radio, 94.9 FM London, www.chrwradio.com/listen)
Oct. 10
Waterloo at Windsor, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11
McMaster at Laurier (Knight-Newbrough Field), 1 p.m.
York at Guelph, 1 p.m.
Ottawa at Queen's, 1 p.m. (The Score)
Source: Mustangs Athletics
