October 25, 2012
Lancers and Mustangs meet in OUA quarter-final live on theScore
HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football kicks off postseason coverage as the fourth-place Western Mustangs host the fifth-place Windsor Lancers on Saturday, October 27, live on University Rush on theScore. The winner of this quarter-final matchup will book their ticket to a Yates Cup semifinal. Game time is 1 p.m.
The Lancers and Mustangs have seen a lot of each other in the postseason throughout OUA history, as nine of Windsor’s 15 playoff games have been against Western. In 2011 the Mustangs ended the Lancers season in the Yates Cup semifinal, defeating the upstarts 33-27 at TD Waterhouse Stadium. Prior to that, they split the last two meetings, with Windsor advancing in 2003 and Western winning more recently in 2006. Western holds a 7-2 edge against the Lancers in the playoffs.
Last week’s games were essentially meaningless for both the ‘Stangs and the Lancers, as their postseason berths were already a guarantee. However neither team was let off easy in week eight. In Ottawa, Western’s narrow victory came down to a field goal kicked by Lirim Hajrullahu (St. Catharines, Ont.) in the final seconds of the game. Further west, the Lancers suffered a shocking upset to the last place Waterloo Warriors, losing 48-29 on the road.
The loss against Waterloo was a low point for the club, and head coach Joe D’Amore is hoping that his team can turn it around this weekend. “We didn’t have much of a performance. I give complete credit to Waterloo. They played inspired football, and our guys looked past them a little bit to the playoffs. Each team only has eight games a year and you want to play your best football in each of them, and we haven’t.”
Fortunately for the Lancers, it’s not all doom and gloom. Jordan Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ont.) ended his OUA regular season career by knocking down the OUA single season receptions record with 68 and the OUA career receptions record with 192. The career receptions record was previously held by famed CFL receiver and Western alumnus Andy Fantuz. Brescacin dominated most statistical receiving records in the country this season, topping the list in yards, touchdowns receptions and total receptions. Quarterback Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.) led the CIS in yards, and passed for 18 touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, fifth-year linebacker Brad Adams (Windsor, Ont.) leads the Lancers with 48 tackles.
The last time the Lancers and Mustangs met was in week four of the 2012 campaign and Western took a 46-23 home decision, though the game was much closer than the score. Since then, both teams have had time to make adjustments and carefully prepare for their opponent.
When asked what the team took from the loss in September, D’Amore identified a number of issues. “We have to try to score early. We didn’t come alive until the fourth quarter last time. In the end we made a game of it, but we need to be present for all sixty minutes. Looking at tape there were opportunities early and we didn’t make those plays. We’re in tough and know we have to play good football from here on out.”
The Western Mustangs are making their first appearance in an OUA quarter-final since 2009. For the past three seasons, the Mustangs have had the luxury of a bye week, and according to head coach Greg Marshall, they miss it. “Everyone is beaten up. It is what it is. We’re a little beat up but everyone is at this time of year.”
Freshman Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.) will start at quarterback for the Mustangs, and it marks the second-year in a row that Western has relied on the talents of a rookie against the Lancers in an OUA playoff game. Despite his inexperience, Marshall is confident in Finch’s ability.
“Will has had the opportunity to play in a couple games now and he’s gotten better and better each time. He had some drops last week, but I’m confident in him and so is the team,” said Marshall. “At this stage, we’ve moved past Donnie (Marshall) being our quarterback and our leader, and whether he makes it back or not, this is Will’s team now and he’s taken that role in stride.”
CIS leading rusher Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.) should return for the Mustangs after sitting out in week eight due to injury. He rushed for 1,001 yards in seven games played, 209 of which were racked up against the Lancers defence.
The Mustangs defence is a veteran squad who will certainly find themselves busy on Saturday. “Any team with Austin Kennedy and receivers like Brescacin can put up points. We’ve got our work cut out on defence,” commented Marshall. The Mustangs defence is led by veteran linebackers Pawel Kruba (Tecumseh, Ont.) and Beau Landry (Kitchener, Ont.) and second-year lineman Darryl Waud (Hamilton, Ont.).
Western is looking for their ninth consecutive Yates Cup semifinal appearance, but knows that a strong and vengeful Lancers squad stands in their way. “It’s another chance to play a great opponent and the kids are looking forward to it,” said Marshall. “If we’re going to be great we have to beat the best teams in the conference and Windsor is one of those teams.”
Windsor looks to return to the OUA semifinals and make a run for their first Yates Cup since 1975. “Anytime we play top teams our guys have to be able to get up for it,” stated D’Amore. “If they can’t get excited about playoffs, playing live on theScore against Western in a must-win game, then you might be in the wrong sport.”
Catch all the action live on theScore beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday as these teams write another chapter in their playoff history.
The other quarter-final game has the Laurier Golden Hawks traveling to Kingston for a week two rematch against the Queen’s Gaels. The Gaels finished 6-2 in the regular season, and are favoured to win over the 3-5 Hawks. The last time these two teams met, the Gaels took a 42-16 decision at University Stadium. Watch for the Golden Hawks defensive line to limit Gaels’ backup running back Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.) to minimal yards. The CIS second-leading rusher Ryan Granberg (Sherwood Park, Alta.) is expected to sit due to an injury he suffered against Toronto last weekend. Laurier will dress three quarterbacks, fourth-year Steve Fantham (London, Ont.) and rookies Travis Eman (Brampton, Ont.) and James Fracas (Hamilton, Ont.). Without an obvious number one, all three pivots are expected to take snaps. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium.
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Donnie Marshall (London, Ont.)
5 games played, 64 completions, 116 attempts., 1,023 yards, 5 touchdowns
Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.)
7 games played, 49 completions, 89 attempts, 5 interceptions, 5 touchdowns
Rushing
Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.)
155 carries, 1,001 yards, 13 touchdowns
Yannick Harou (Gatineau, Que.)
73 carries, 493 yards, 4 touchdowns
Receiving
Brian Marshall (London, Ont.)
40 catches, 765 yards, 6 touchdowns
Matt Uren (London, Ont.)
24 catches, 334 yards, 2 touchdowns
Justin Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.)
20 catches, 290 yards, 2 touchdowns
Defence
Pawel Kruba (Tecumseh, Ont.)
32 tackles, 26 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 2.5 sacks
Darryl Waud (Hamilton, Ont.)
30 tackles, 24 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception
Beau Landry (Kitchener, Ont.)
29 tackles, 23 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
WINDSOR LEADERS
Passing
Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.)
184 completions, 306 attempts, 2,637 yards, 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions
Rushing
Jamal Darius (Ajax, N.B.)
59 carries, 320 yards
Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.)
58 carries, 297 yards, 2 touchdowns
Mitch Dender (Amherstberg, Ont.)
44 carries, 285 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Jordan Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ont.)
68 catches, 979 yards, 8 touchdowns
Evan Pszczonak (Amherstberg, Ont.)
33 catches, 698 yards, 6 touchdowns
Defence
Brad Adams (Windsor, Ont.)
48 tackles, 36 solo tackles, 1 sack
Thai Pham (London, Ont.)
36.5 tackles, 32 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss
The Lancers and Mustangs have seen a lot of each other in the postseason throughout OUA history, as nine of Windsor’s 15 playoff games have been against Western. In 2011 the Mustangs ended the Lancers season in the Yates Cup semifinal, defeating the upstarts 33-27 at TD Waterhouse Stadium. Prior to that, they split the last two meetings, with Windsor advancing in 2003 and Western winning more recently in 2006. Western holds a 7-2 edge against the Lancers in the playoffs.
Last week’s games were essentially meaningless for both the ‘Stangs and the Lancers, as their postseason berths were already a guarantee. However neither team was let off easy in week eight. In Ottawa, Western’s narrow victory came down to a field goal kicked by Lirim Hajrullahu (St. Catharines, Ont.) in the final seconds of the game. Further west, the Lancers suffered a shocking upset to the last place Waterloo Warriors, losing 48-29 on the road.
The loss against Waterloo was a low point for the club, and head coach Joe D’Amore is hoping that his team can turn it around this weekend. “We didn’t have much of a performance. I give complete credit to Waterloo. They played inspired football, and our guys looked past them a little bit to the playoffs. Each team only has eight games a year and you want to play your best football in each of them, and we haven’t.”
Fortunately for the Lancers, it’s not all doom and gloom. Jordan Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ont.) ended his OUA regular season career by knocking down the OUA single season receptions record with 68 and the OUA career receptions record with 192. The career receptions record was previously held by famed CFL receiver and Western alumnus Andy Fantuz. Brescacin dominated most statistical receiving records in the country this season, topping the list in yards, touchdowns receptions and total receptions. Quarterback Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.) led the CIS in yards, and passed for 18 touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, fifth-year linebacker Brad Adams (Windsor, Ont.) leads the Lancers with 48 tackles.
The last time the Lancers and Mustangs met was in week four of the 2012 campaign and Western took a 46-23 home decision, though the game was much closer than the score. Since then, both teams have had time to make adjustments and carefully prepare for their opponent.
When asked what the team took from the loss in September, D’Amore identified a number of issues. “We have to try to score early. We didn’t come alive until the fourth quarter last time. In the end we made a game of it, but we need to be present for all sixty minutes. Looking at tape there were opportunities early and we didn’t make those plays. We’re in tough and know we have to play good football from here on out.”
The Western Mustangs are making their first appearance in an OUA quarter-final since 2009. For the past three seasons, the Mustangs have had the luxury of a bye week, and according to head coach Greg Marshall, they miss it. “Everyone is beaten up. It is what it is. We’re a little beat up but everyone is at this time of year.”
Freshman Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.) will start at quarterback for the Mustangs, and it marks the second-year in a row that Western has relied on the talents of a rookie against the Lancers in an OUA playoff game. Despite his inexperience, Marshall is confident in Finch’s ability.
“Will has had the opportunity to play in a couple games now and he’s gotten better and better each time. He had some drops last week, but I’m confident in him and so is the team,” said Marshall. “At this stage, we’ve moved past Donnie (Marshall) being our quarterback and our leader, and whether he makes it back or not, this is Will’s team now and he’s taken that role in stride.”
CIS leading rusher Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.) should return for the Mustangs after sitting out in week eight due to injury. He rushed for 1,001 yards in seven games played, 209 of which were racked up against the Lancers defence.
The Mustangs defence is a veteran squad who will certainly find themselves busy on Saturday. “Any team with Austin Kennedy and receivers like Brescacin can put up points. We’ve got our work cut out on defence,” commented Marshall. The Mustangs defence is led by veteran linebackers Pawel Kruba (Tecumseh, Ont.) and Beau Landry (Kitchener, Ont.) and second-year lineman Darryl Waud (Hamilton, Ont.).
Western is looking for their ninth consecutive Yates Cup semifinal appearance, but knows that a strong and vengeful Lancers squad stands in their way. “It’s another chance to play a great opponent and the kids are looking forward to it,” said Marshall. “If we’re going to be great we have to beat the best teams in the conference and Windsor is one of those teams.”
Windsor looks to return to the OUA semifinals and make a run for their first Yates Cup since 1975. “Anytime we play top teams our guys have to be able to get up for it,” stated D’Amore. “If they can’t get excited about playoffs, playing live on theScore against Western in a must-win game, then you might be in the wrong sport.”
Catch all the action live on theScore beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday as these teams write another chapter in their playoff history.
The other quarter-final game has the Laurier Golden Hawks traveling to Kingston for a week two rematch against the Queen’s Gaels. The Gaels finished 6-2 in the regular season, and are favoured to win over the 3-5 Hawks. The last time these two teams met, the Gaels took a 42-16 decision at University Stadium. Watch for the Golden Hawks defensive line to limit Gaels’ backup running back Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.) to minimal yards. The CIS second-leading rusher Ryan Granberg (Sherwood Park, Alta.) is expected to sit due to an injury he suffered against Toronto last weekend. Laurier will dress three quarterbacks, fourth-year Steve Fantham (London, Ont.) and rookies Travis Eman (Brampton, Ont.) and James Fracas (Hamilton, Ont.). Without an obvious number one, all three pivots are expected to take snaps. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium.
WESTERN LEADERS
Passing
Donnie Marshall (London, Ont.)
5 games played, 64 completions, 116 attempts., 1,023 yards, 5 touchdowns
Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.)
7 games played, 49 completions, 89 attempts, 5 interceptions, 5 touchdowns
Rushing
Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.)
155 carries, 1,001 yards, 13 touchdowns
Yannick Harou (Gatineau, Que.)
73 carries, 493 yards, 4 touchdowns
Receiving
Brian Marshall (London, Ont.)
40 catches, 765 yards, 6 touchdowns
Matt Uren (London, Ont.)
24 catches, 334 yards, 2 touchdowns
Justin Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.)
20 catches, 290 yards, 2 touchdowns
Defence
Pawel Kruba (Tecumseh, Ont.)
32 tackles, 26 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 2.5 sacks
Darryl Waud (Hamilton, Ont.)
30 tackles, 24 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception
Beau Landry (Kitchener, Ont.)
29 tackles, 23 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
WINDSOR LEADERS
Passing
Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.)
184 completions, 306 attempts, 2,637 yards, 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions
Rushing
Jamal Darius (Ajax, N.B.)
59 carries, 320 yards
Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.)
58 carries, 297 yards, 2 touchdowns
Mitch Dender (Amherstberg, Ont.)
44 carries, 285 yards, 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Jordan Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ont.)
68 catches, 979 yards, 8 touchdowns
Evan Pszczonak (Amherstberg, Ont.)
33 catches, 698 yards, 6 touchdowns
Defence
Brad Adams (Windsor, Ont.)
48 tackles, 36 solo tackles, 1 sack
Thai Pham (London, Ont.)
36.5 tackles, 32 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss
