November 5, 2008
BATTLE OF HORSEMEN AT 101ST YATES CUP ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
HAMILTON, Ont. – The last two teams are standing in OUA football as the No. 3-nationally ranked Western Mustangs host the Ottawa Gee-Gees for the 101st Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer Petroleums on University Rush live in high-definition on The Score.
Both teams have taken different roads to the title game since they opened the regular season against each other on Labour Day. In one of the more entertaining games of the 2008 season, the Mustangs came back to defeat the Gee-Gees 35-31 at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont., site of the 101st Yates Cup on Nov. 8.
In a game with many twists and turns, it was all Ottawa early on, as the Gee-Gees were showing how hungry they were to avenge the 2007 OUA semi-final loss to Western. But the Mustangs scored three touchdowns in the span of 5:03 in the fourth quarter to erase a 31-13 deficit.
In many ways, the game foreshadowed what was to come for both teams.
The Gee-Gees lost quarterback Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, N.B.) for a brief period due to injury in the opener. It would become a season theme for Ottawa, who would go through a team-record 16 receivers, losing a new batch of starters every week, none more dramatic than the 25-year-old Ivan Birungi (Pickering, Ont.), a four-season, two-time AUS MVP at Acadia and the CIS top receiver through the first three games this season before suffering a broken foot.
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.) replaced Mustangs' starting running back Ben Roberts (London, Ont.) who tweaked his knee early in the second quarter back on Labour Day. Tremblay would follow suit in the second game of the season, sitting out as a precaution, replaced by John Leckie (Georgetown, Ont.). Forced to develop young running backs, Western would capitalize on a multi-force rushing game the rest of the season.
Western continued to a four-game win streak until meeting Queen's for the only loss of the season, but rallied back to end the regular season 7-1. Sitting second in OUA, the Mustangs were guaranteed a first-round bye and semi-final home field advantage.
A week off meant no rest for Western, even practicing in the snow for their second round match against Laurier. The extra practice was well worth it as Western held onto the lead for a 36-28 win after a fierce Golden Hawk battle.
Western's Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.), last year's Dalt White award winner as the Yates Cup Most Valuable Player, led the nation in passing yards during the regular season with 2,596.
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.) has led the Mustangs defence. In eight games, Surla collected 34 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Ottawa's season would come to an end sitting at 500. A 4-4 record put the Gee-Gees in fifth place in the league after tie-breaker scenarios were played out.
In quarter-final action, Ottawa battled back and forth for the win with the fourth-seeded Guelph Gryphons, who also ended with a 4-4 season. Birungi made his return, still healing a broken foot.
As the underdogs no one expected Ottawa to make it to the Yates Cup after facing undefeated Queen's. Playing in front of a pro tri-colour crowd, Ottawa came through with the 23-13 upset.
Sacobie finished third in Ontario in passing yards with 2,171 for 16 touchdowns. He ends his career with 79 regular season touchdown passes, breaking the OUA record of 65 set by Bill Kubas (1990-94) of Laurier.
Dave Mason (Brampton, Ont.) has made himself a standout in the playoffs. Against Guelph he rushed for 327 yards to set a new CIS and OUA football playoff record. The old CIS/OUA single-game playoff record of 317 rushing yards was established on Nov. 7, 1981 by Greg Marshall of the Western Mustangs, their current head coach.
Defensively, the Gee-Gees are led by Michael Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.) who has 45 solo tackles, five sacks and one interception.
Western and Ottawa are the last two winners of the Yates Cup. Since 2005, Western is 2-0 over Ottawa in playoff action. The two teams have not met in a Yates Cup since 1971 when the Mustangs rolled over the Gee-Gees 13-0.
OUA announced Tues., Nov 4, that Oshawa, Ont. based band Rides Again will be the featured musical act during the Yates Cup half-time show presented by belairdirect.
Don't miss out on the action as the Ontario university football champion is decided. Join play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef, analyst Mike Morreale and sideline reporters D.J. Bennett and Glenn Schiiler as the No. 3-nationally ranked Western Mustangs host the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the 101st Yates Cup. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m., and both the game and half-time performance by Rides Again will be televised nationally on The Score Television Network in high-definition.
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, N.B.)
152 completions, 267 attempts, 2,348 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing
Dave Mason (Brampton, Ont.)
123 attempts, 896 yards, 9 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeity (Ghana)
40 receptions, 572 yards, 3 touchdowns
Defence
Michael Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.)
49 solo tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception
Sebastien Teteault (Granby, Que.)
29 solo tackles, 5 sacks
Maxime Bedard (Granby, Que.)
25 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
196 completions, 312 attempts, 2,951 yards, 20 touchdowns, 8 interceptions
Rushing
Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.)
89 attempts, 660 yards, 8 touchdowns
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy (Guelph, Ont.)
44 receptions, 789 yards, 7 touchdowns
Defence
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
38 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
Corey McNair (London, Ont.)
37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions
Adrian Kaiser (London, Ont.)
30 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
– 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.
Both teams have taken different roads to the title game since they opened the regular season against each other on Labour Day. In one of the more entertaining games of the 2008 season, the Mustangs came back to defeat the Gee-Gees 35-31 at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont., site of the 101st Yates Cup on Nov. 8.
In a game with many twists and turns, it was all Ottawa early on, as the Gee-Gees were showing how hungry they were to avenge the 2007 OUA semi-final loss to Western. But the Mustangs scored three touchdowns in the span of 5:03 in the fourth quarter to erase a 31-13 deficit.
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In many ways, the game foreshadowed what was to come for both teams.
The Gee-Gees lost quarterback Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, N.B.) for a brief period due to injury in the opener. It would become a season theme for Ottawa, who would go through a team-record 16 receivers, losing a new batch of starters every week, none more dramatic than the 25-year-old Ivan Birungi (Pickering, Ont.), a four-season, two-time AUS MVP at Acadia and the CIS top receiver through the first three games this season before suffering a broken foot.
Ryan Tremblay (London, Ont.) replaced Mustangs' starting running back Ben Roberts (London, Ont.) who tweaked his knee early in the second quarter back on Labour Day. Tremblay would follow suit in the second game of the season, sitting out as a precaution, replaced by John Leckie (Georgetown, Ont.). Forced to develop young running backs, Western would capitalize on a multi-force rushing game the rest of the season.
Western continued to a four-game win streak until meeting Queen's for the only loss of the season, but rallied back to end the regular season 7-1. Sitting second in OUA, the Mustangs were guaranteed a first-round bye and semi-final home field advantage.
A week off meant no rest for Western, even practicing in the snow for their second round match against Laurier. The extra practice was well worth it as Western held onto the lead for a 36-28 win after a fierce Golden Hawk battle.
Western's Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.), last year's Dalt White award winner as the Yates Cup Most Valuable Player, led the nation in passing yards during the regular season with 2,596.
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.) has led the Mustangs defence. In eight games, Surla collected 34 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Ottawa's season would come to an end sitting at 500. A 4-4 record put the Gee-Gees in fifth place in the league after tie-breaker scenarios were played out.
In quarter-final action, Ottawa battled back and forth for the win with the fourth-seeded Guelph Gryphons, who also ended with a 4-4 season. Birungi made his return, still healing a broken foot.
As the underdogs no one expected Ottawa to make it to the Yates Cup after facing undefeated Queen's. Playing in front of a pro tri-colour crowd, Ottawa came through with the 23-13 upset.
Sacobie finished third in Ontario in passing yards with 2,171 for 16 touchdowns. He ends his career with 79 regular season touchdown passes, breaking the OUA record of 65 set by Bill Kubas (1990-94) of Laurier.
Dave Mason (Brampton, Ont.) has made himself a standout in the playoffs. Against Guelph he rushed for 327 yards to set a new CIS and OUA football playoff record. The old CIS/OUA single-game playoff record of 317 rushing yards was established on Nov. 7, 1981 by Greg Marshall of the Western Mustangs, their current head coach.
Defensively, the Gee-Gees are led by Michael Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.) who has 45 solo tackles, five sacks and one interception.
Western and Ottawa are the last two winners of the Yates Cup. Since 2005, Western is 2-0 over Ottawa in playoff action. The two teams have not met in a Yates Cup since 1971 when the Mustangs rolled over the Gee-Gees 13-0.
OUA announced Tues., Nov 4, that Oshawa, Ont. based band Rides Again will be the featured musical act during the Yates Cup half-time show presented by belairdirect.
Don't miss out on the action as the Ontario university football champion is decided. Join play-by-play announcer Tim Micallef, analyst Mike Morreale and sideline reporters D.J. Bennett and Glenn Schiiler as the No. 3-nationally ranked Western Mustangs host the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the 101st Yates Cup. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m., and both the game and half-time performance by Rides Again will be televised nationally on The Score Television Network in high-definition.
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Josh Sacobie (Fredericton, N.B.)
152 completions, 267 attempts, 2,348 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing
Dave Mason (Brampton, Ont.)
123 attempts, 896 yards, 9 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeity (Ghana)
40 receptions, 572 yards, 3 touchdowns
Defence
Michael Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.)
49 solo tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception
Sebastien Teteault (Granby, Que.)
29 solo tackles, 5 sacks
Maxime Bedard (Granby, Que.)
25 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
196 completions, 312 attempts, 2,951 yards, 20 touchdowns, 8 interceptions
Rushing
Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.)
89 attempts, 660 yards, 8 touchdowns
Receiving
Jesse Bellamy (Guelph, Ont.)
44 receptions, 789 yards, 7 touchdowns
Defence
John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
38 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
Corey McNair (London, Ont.)
37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions
Adrian Kaiser (London, Ont.)
30 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
– 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.
