TORONTO, ON. – The Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks faced their first test since week two when they faced off against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees — who were riding a high after last week’s Panda Game win — on Saturday night.
Laurier went shot-for-shot with Ottawa until the end of the third quarter, when the Golden Hawks took a 31-22 lead. Laurier struck gold again early in the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 38-22 before Ottawa responded in the final two minutes with a touchdown and a two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game. But the Gee-Gees failed to recover the ensuing onside kick and couldn’t stop the Golden Hawks offence from getting a first down on third and short, falling 38-30.
Laurier running back Quentin Scott was the star of the show, rushing for a season-high 194 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, averaging 12.9 yards per rush.
There were only three other OUA games on Thanksgiving weekend, including the Queen’s University Gaels statement win over the Carleton University Ravens 35-16 on Friday. Queen’s bumped their record to 3-3 thanks to their running game — Gaels running back Jared Chisari recorded 231 rushing yards, setting up fellow running back Anthony Soles’ three redzone touchdowns.
The McMaster University Marauders won their first game in four weeks against the University of Waterloo Warriors 31-19 on Friday. Both teams struggled on offence, but it was McMaster that won the turnover battle, picking off Waterloo quarterback Nick Orr twice and recovering a fumble. The Marauder defence also forced two Warrior safeties.
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues won in convincing style against the York University Lions 57-3 on Friday. Toronto’s defence caught three interceptions against two York quarterbacks and held the shutout until the final minute when the Lions scored a field goal to remove the goose egg.
St FX, Bishop’s continue control over AUS
The Bishop’s University Gaiters had their biggest win of the season on Saturday, blowing out the Saint Mary’s University Huskies 63-7. Bishop’s last beat Saint Mary’s 38-10 on Sept. 2.
The Gaiters’ ground game was unstoppable, as four players had at least 65 rushing yards — running back Marco Briones led the way with 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns while David Chaloux ran for 95 yards.
The St Francis Xavier X-Men also had another strong turnout on Saturday, defeating the Acadia University Axemen 42-9 to remain undefeated. X-Men quarterback Silas Fagnan threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns, receiver Ben Harrington recorded 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and running back Malcolm Bussey ran for 136 yards and a score.
Montreal maintains RSEQ throne
In the first 20 minutes of the University of Montreal Carabins’ win over the McGill University Redbirds, it looked like McGill was on their way to upsetting the current Dunsmore Cup favourite. The Redbirds were up 13-0 at the beginning of the second quarter, but the Carabins came storming back, scoring 19 points in under 10 minutes to take a 19-13 lead.
McGill’s rouge point to end the first half would be their last as Montreal put up another 17 points in the second half to win 36-14.
The Laval University Rouge et Or beat the Concordia University Stingers 23-7 to conclude the Thanksgiving weekend slate of games. Both teams’ quarterbacks were intercepted multiple times, but Laval’s defence stood stronger, holding Concordia to just 213 total offensive yards.
Rouge et Or receiver Guillaume Cauchon had the biggest play of the game, returning a missed Stingers field goal attempt from the back of Laval’s endzone to score a touchdown — a 110-yard play to open Laval’s scoring on Sunday.
Canada West rests for Thanksgiving
No Canada West football teams played this weekend. They will be back in action on Oct. 14.