September 11, 2009
UNIVERSITY RUSH PREMIERES WITH TOP 10 SHOWDOWN
HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) returns to The Score Television Network this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET as the No. 2 nationally-ranked Western Mustangs (1-0) host the No. 6-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0) in what has become a tradition on University Rush.
The nation was treated to the Laurier-Western rivalry two times last season, with the defending Yates Cup champion Mustangs taking both games, a 31-20 outcome last September, and a 36-28 victory in an OUA semifinal game last November. Western won its first game of the 2009 season in Ottawa, a 32-17 win over the Gee-Gees last Sunday, and clearly remain the hunted as nine OUA teams look to knock them off their pedestal.
"We know we have our hands full," said Western head coach Greg Marshall about the Golden Hawks. "We know we can't make mistakes. I think the team that controls the ball is going to come out and win this game because both offences can score."
"Anytime we play it's going to be extremely competitive, both offensively and defensively and on special teams," added Laurier head coach Gary Jefferies about facing Western. "It's always going to be a battle, and I don't expect Saturday to be any different."
Mustangs fifth-year quarterback Michael Faulds of Eden Mills, Ont., coming off back-to-back Dalt White trophies as Yates Cup most valuable player, is climbing up the all-time OUA career passing chart. He led the nation with 2,596 passing yards during the 2008 regular season, and currently sits seventh all-time in OUA with 8,071 yards. Faulds is within striking distance of the elusive 10,000-yard plateau for his career, and will look to add to his totals against a tough Laurier defence which is coming off a 38-0 shutout victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues on Labour Day. The Golden Hawks have earned two shutouts in their last three games, dating back to last year's OUA playoffs.
The game will be a homecoming for Laurier quarterback Luke Thompson of London, Ont. who is looking to erase the memory of the playoff loss at TD Waterhouse Stadium. Thompson was intercepted five times in that contest; a sour end to what had been a breakthrough season for the third-year pivot. He threw for over 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns during the 2008 regular season.
"We just kind of picked a bad time to have a bad game," said Thompson of the semifinal. "I've definitely moved on from it."
"We got to get over that Western hump right now. We definitely have them as a target on our schedule. We feel like we have the players to do it."
The Mustangs are used to having their games circled on opponent's calendars as the defending champions.
"We got a big target on our back," said Western running back Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.) who rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown in his last meeting against Laurier. "Everyone hates Western. That's the position we want to be in. It keeps you on your toes. You have to be ready for every game since everyone wants to beat you."
The Mustangs have won nine straight games at home. Their last loss at TD Waterhouse Stadium was on Sept. 15, 2007 against Ottawa.
It is the first of 10 OUA football games to air nationally on The Score in 2009, commencing with the 102nd Yates Cup presented by Pioneer Petroleums on Sat., Nov. 14. Western has claimed North America's oldest football trophy each of the last two seasons and a record 27 times in its history.
Play-by-play announcer and 2009 OUA Media Award winner Tim Micallef returns for an eighth season calling games on Saturdays and will be joined by former OUA and CFL star Mike Morreale who is back in the booth for his sophomore season.
WILFRID LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Luke Thompson (London, Ont.)
8 completions, 15 attempts, 184 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
Rushing
Michael Montoya (Burlington, Ont.)
17 attempts, 160 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Josh Bishop (Mississauga, Ont.)
5 receptions, 134 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.)
5 solo tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack
Courtney Stephen (Brampton, Ont.)
5 solo tackles, 1 break-up
Nickalas Sapone (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
4 solo tackles, 1 sack
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
18 completions, 36 attempts, 293 yards, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
Rushing
Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.)
11 attempts, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving
Nick Trevail (London, Ont.)
3 receptions, 110 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Craig Butler (London, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 break-up
Mike Spence (Burlington, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
Christopher Greaves (Mississauga, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
– 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.
The nation was treated to the Laurier-Western rivalry two times last season, with the defending Yates Cup champion Mustangs taking both games, a 31-20 outcome last September, and a 36-28 victory in an OUA semifinal game last November. Western won its first game of the 2009 season in Ottawa, a 32-17 win over the Gee-Gees last Sunday, and clearly remain the hunted as nine OUA teams look to knock them off their pedestal.
"We know we have our hands full," said Western head coach Greg Marshall about the Golden Hawks. "We know we can't make mistakes. I think the team that controls the ball is going to come out and win this game because both offences can score."
"Anytime we play it's going to be extremely competitive, both offensively and defensively and on special teams," added Laurier head coach Gary Jefferies about facing Western. "It's always going to be a battle, and I don't expect Saturday to be any different."
Mustangs fifth-year quarterback Michael Faulds of Eden Mills, Ont., coming off back-to-back Dalt White trophies as Yates Cup most valuable player, is climbing up the all-time OUA career passing chart. He led the nation with 2,596 passing yards during the 2008 regular season, and currently sits seventh all-time in OUA with 8,071 yards. Faulds is within striking distance of the elusive 10,000-yard plateau for his career, and will look to add to his totals against a tough Laurier defence which is coming off a 38-0 shutout victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues on Labour Day. The Golden Hawks have earned two shutouts in their last three games, dating back to last year's OUA playoffs.
The game will be a homecoming for Laurier quarterback Luke Thompson of London, Ont. who is looking to erase the memory of the playoff loss at TD Waterhouse Stadium. Thompson was intercepted five times in that contest; a sour end to what had been a breakthrough season for the third-year pivot. He threw for over 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns during the 2008 regular season.
"We just kind of picked a bad time to have a bad game," said Thompson of the semifinal. "I've definitely moved on from it."
"We got to get over that Western hump right now. We definitely have them as a target on our schedule. We feel like we have the players to do it."
The Mustangs are used to having their games circled on opponent's calendars as the defending champions.
"We got a big target on our back," said Western running back Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.) who rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown in his last meeting against Laurier. "Everyone hates Western. That's the position we want to be in. It keeps you on your toes. You have to be ready for every game since everyone wants to beat you."
The Mustangs have won nine straight games at home. Their last loss at TD Waterhouse Stadium was on Sept. 15, 2007 against Ottawa.
It is the first of 10 OUA football games to air nationally on The Score in 2009, commencing with the 102nd Yates Cup presented by Pioneer Petroleums on Sat., Nov. 14. Western has claimed North America's oldest football trophy each of the last two seasons and a record 27 times in its history.
Play-by-play announcer and 2009 OUA Media Award winner Tim Micallef returns for an eighth season calling games on Saturdays and will be joined by former OUA and CFL star Mike Morreale who is back in the booth for his sophomore season.
WILFRID LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Luke Thompson (London, Ont.)
8 completions, 15 attempts, 184 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
Rushing
Michael Montoya (Burlington, Ont.)
17 attempts, 160 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Josh Bishop (Mississauga, Ont.)
5 receptions, 134 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.)
5 solo tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack
Courtney Stephen (Brampton, Ont.)
5 solo tackles, 1 break-up
Nickalas Sapone (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
4 solo tackles, 1 sack
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.)
18 completions, 36 attempts, 293 yards, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
Rushing
Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.)
11 attempts, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving
Nick Trevail (London, Ont.)
3 receptions, 110 yards, 0 touchdowns
Defence
Craig Butler (London, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 break-up
Mike Spence (Burlington, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
Christopher Greaves (Mississauga, Ont.)
5 solo tackles
– 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.
