September 17, 2010
GUELPH COMES OFF BYE WEEK TO HOST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
HAMILTON, Ont. – The Score Television Network will host its second Ontario University Athletics (OUA) game on Saturday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET as part of University Rush. The defending national champions, Queen’s Gaels, will take on the undefeated Guelph Gryphons in Saturday’s game, presented by AMJ Campbell Vanlines.
Week 3 saw Queen’s pummel a struggling Windsor offence, while Guelph had the week off to concentrate on their upcoming game in Week 4 of the OUA football season.
The Gaels (1-1) were unstoppable against the Lancers as they came off a bye week following their only game this season, a loss to McMaster. After being tied up in the second quarter, Queens scored 33 unanswered points to finish the game 40-7.
After a decisive win in Week 2 against the York Lions, the Gryphons (2-0) had a bye week to rest and prepare for the reigning champs.
“They were starting to get mentally and physically drained so the time off was great,” said Guelph head coach Stu Lang. “We gave them Friday, Saturday, Sunday off and we took about 70 players down to the Hamilton, Montreal game and had team bonding. We had a physical break but they were still involved in terms of being together as a team.”
This week’s matchup will have both teams relying on first year starting quarterbacks to help out on offence.
Queen’s quarterback Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.) had a fantastic weekend throwing for 189 yards and a touchdown while tallying another 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Helping Chapdelaine on the offence is teammate Matt O’Donnell (Kingston, Ont.). Recently named to the CFL Scouting Bureau’s Top 15 Prospect List, the fourth year offensive lineman can bring a lot to the field on Saturday.
“He’s a giant of a man and he’s got great football acumen and a good head for football and a great disposition for football,” said Queen’s head coach Pat Sheahan of O’Donnell.
On the Guelph side, Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) looks to continue the Gryphons’ win streak with his star running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.).
The veteran has a total of 40 career touchdowns after running in three over the last two games against Toronto and York. With one more FitzGibbon will by tied for fifth on the CIS All Purpose Touchdowns rankings. The current leader is Paul Brule set in the 60s with 51.
But what are Guelph’s thoughts on playing a tough match up like Queen’s.
“As I told our players after the York game, we’ve just done the expected. Now we need to do the unexpected. They’re looking forward to the game because it’s going to be a big test,” said Lang.
Be sure to check out the game as Guelph tries to remain undefeated this Saturday, live on The Score or streamed live on thescore.com. A live blog is also posted during the game at blogs.thescore.com.
QUEENS STATS LEADERS
PASSING
Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.)
38 completions, 62 attempts, 504 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
RUSHING
Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.)
98 yards, 1 touchdown
RECEIVING
Chris Ioannides (Toronto)
165 yards, 2 touchdowns
DEFENCE
Sam Sabourin (Stittsville, Ont.)
16 solo tackles, 2 sacks
Frank Pankewich (Thunder Bay, Ont.)
12 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception
Ted Festeryga (Toronto)
8 solo tackles, 2 sacks
GUELPH STATS LEADERS
PASSING
Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
26 completions, 49 attempts, 390 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
RUSHING
Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
289 yards, 3 touchdowns
RECEIVING
Dave Honig (Sarnia, Ont.)
84 yards, 6 receptions
DEFENCE
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 sack
Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble
Scott Eggleton (Belleville, Ont.)
7 solo tackles, 3 sacks
– 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.
Week 3 saw Queen’s pummel a struggling Windsor offence, while Guelph had the week off to concentrate on their upcoming game in Week 4 of the OUA football season.
The Gaels (1-1) were unstoppable against the Lancers as they came off a bye week following their only game this season, a loss to McMaster. After being tied up in the second quarter, Queens scored 33 unanswered points to finish the game 40-7.
After a decisive win in Week 2 against the York Lions, the Gryphons (2-0) had a bye week to rest and prepare for the reigning champs.
“They were starting to get mentally and physically drained so the time off was great,” said Guelph head coach Stu Lang. “We gave them Friday, Saturday, Sunday off and we took about 70 players down to the Hamilton, Montreal game and had team bonding. We had a physical break but they were still involved in terms of being together as a team.”
This week’s matchup will have both teams relying on first year starting quarterbacks to help out on offence.
Queen’s quarterback Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.) had a fantastic weekend throwing for 189 yards and a touchdown while tallying another 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Helping Chapdelaine on the offence is teammate Matt O’Donnell (Kingston, Ont.). Recently named to the CFL Scouting Bureau’s Top 15 Prospect List, the fourth year offensive lineman can bring a lot to the field on Saturday.
“He’s a giant of a man and he’s got great football acumen and a good head for football and a great disposition for football,” said Queen’s head coach Pat Sheahan of O’Donnell.
On the Guelph side, Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) looks to continue the Gryphons’ win streak with his star running back Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.).
The veteran has a total of 40 career touchdowns after running in three over the last two games against Toronto and York. With one more FitzGibbon will by tied for fifth on the CIS All Purpose Touchdowns rankings. The current leader is Paul Brule set in the 60s with 51.
But what are Guelph’s thoughts on playing a tough match up like Queen’s.
“As I told our players after the York game, we’ve just done the expected. Now we need to do the unexpected. They’re looking forward to the game because it’s going to be a big test,” said Lang.
Be sure to check out the game as Guelph tries to remain undefeated this Saturday, live on The Score or streamed live on thescore.com. A live blog is also posted during the game at blogs.thescore.com.
QUEENS STATS LEADERS
PASSING
Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.)
38 completions, 62 attempts, 504 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
RUSHING
Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.)
98 yards, 1 touchdown
RECEIVING
Chris Ioannides (Toronto)
165 yards, 2 touchdowns
DEFENCE
Sam Sabourin (Stittsville, Ont.)
16 solo tackles, 2 sacks
Frank Pankewich (Thunder Bay, Ont.)
12 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception
Ted Festeryga (Toronto)
8 solo tackles, 2 sacks
GUELPH STATS LEADERS
PASSING
Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
26 completions, 49 attempts, 390 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
RUSHING
Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.)
289 yards, 3 touchdowns
RECEIVING
Dave Honig (Sarnia, Ont.)
84 yards, 6 receptions
DEFENCE
Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 sack
Matthew Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.)
9 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble
Scott Eggleton (Belleville, Ont.)
7 solo tackles, 3 sacks
– 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.
