LONDON, Ont. – With Greg Marshall riding an 18-game undefeated streak in OUA playoff games as a head coach and Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.) averaging over 225 yards a game in the post-season, one would think the momentum pendulum might swing in Western’s favour entering the playing of the 102nd Yates Cup (Saturday Nov. 14, 1 p.m., Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ont.).
The Mustangs, hungry for their first Yates Cup three-peat since 1988-1990, enter Richardson Stadium in many people’s minds as the favourite, despite finishing in third place in the OUA and losing, 27-26, to the Gaels on Oct. 17, almost a month ago, in Week 7 of the OUA regular season. Western has won the past two Yates Cups over Ottawa in 2008 and Guelph in 2007.
Add to that, the Gaels’ recent playoff struggles – and that they have not won a Yates Cup since 1978 – and Western comes in with many predicting them to spoil the show for an expected capacity, pro-Gaels crowd.
In Week 7, it came down to the last possession, when Queen’s quarterback Danny Brannagan (Burlington, Ont.) hit receiver Blaise Morrison (Bedford, N.S.) for the game-winning touchdown pass, capping off a nine-play, 84-yard drive which took just over a minute off the clock.
Hec Crighton Trophy candidate Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.) knows the Mustangs could have won the last meeting. The OUA MVP was 24/39 for 384 yards and one touchdown.
“We left a lot of points on the field, and as much as our defence took the blame for that loss, we could have done a better job and given ourselves a cushion,” Faulds said.
Western led 26-21 with 1:16 left, but the Gaels pulled off the miraculous final drive for the win. The Mustangs won that second half 23-13, outscoring Queen’s 10-0 in the third quarter.
Although the visiting Western squad was 5/5 in the redzone, two Faulds’ interceptions caused by Jimmy Allin (Belleville, Ont.) hurt the Mustangs – giving the host Gaels positive field position. On Allin’s second interception, the Western defence held Marty Gordon out of the endzone as time expired in the first half at the Mustangs one-yard line.
Scott Valberg (Kingston, Ont.), with 12 catches for 154 yards, and Chris Ioannides (Toronto), with 11 catches for 125 yards, also hurt the Mustangs, catching many short passes on hook patterns and slants in the middle of the field.
Both teams were fairly even in the stats including total offensive yards (Queen’s 536 Western 517) and first downs (Queen’s 30 Western 27). And the two squads were successful twice each on third-won conversions.
The 2009 Yates Cup – Western is seeking its 29th in team history, while Queen’s is looking for its 23rd – promises to be a great game. The winner will host the QSSF champion (Montreal is at Laval at 1 p.m. in the Dunsmore Cup, Nov. 14) in the Mitchell Bowl.
If Western wins the Yates Cup, they will host the Quebec champion in the Mitchell Blow at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 21, while a Queen’s win would have the Gaels (without lights at their stadium) host the Quebec champion at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21.
The Yates Cup game will air LIVE on national television and in HD on The Score television network, with Tim Micallef on play-by-play.
Saturday's Matchup: No. 5 Western Mustangs (8-2) at No. 4 Queen’s Gaels (8-1)
TV: The Score
RADIO: CHRW 94.9 FM (London and area)
TALE OF THE TAPE
All-Time Head-To-Head: Western vs. Queen’s
OVERALL RECORD 41-44-2 (38-43-2 excluding exhibition)
REGULAR SEASON RECORD 34-42-2
PLAYOFF RECORD 4-1
HOME PLAYOFF RECORD 3-0
2-0 in semifinals
1-0 in Yates Cups
AWAY PLAYOFF RECORD 1-1
1-0 in quarter-finals
0-1 in semifinals
No Yates Cups played in Kingston b/w teams
REGULAR SEASON AND PLAYOFF RECORD 38-43-2
EXHIBITION RECORD 3-1
OVERALL HOME RECORD 23-18-1 (22-17-1 excluding exhibition)
OVERALL AWAY RECORD 18-26-1 (16-26-1 excluding exhibition)
OVERALL RECORD 41-44-2 (38-43-2 excluding exhibition)
STREAKS 12-game win streak
(Oct. 15, 1938-Oct. 15, 1949)
13-game unbeaten streak
(Oct. 15, 1938-Nov. 5, 1949)
9-game losing streak
(Oct. 22, 1960-Oct. 2, 1965)
NOV. 14 RECORD 0-0-0 (teams have never played)
NOVEMBER RECORD 14-12-2
Last Meeting: Queen's won 27-26 in Week 7, Oct. 17, 2009, on a late drive. The Gaels have won the past two meetings, including a 43-16 win in Kingston at the Gaels' 2008 Homecoming. In fact, it will be the last official Homecoming at Queen's (Sept. 27, 2008) at Richardson Stadium
Last Playoff Meeting:Oct. 27, 2007, at Queen's – Western won 27-19 in OUA quarter-final
Last Yates Cup Meeting: Only one meeting, on Nov. 10, 1979, with Western winning 32-14 over Queen’s and going on to lose in Vanier Cup 34-12 to Acadia under coach Darwin Semotiuk.
Gaels to Watch:Jimmy Allin (CB/KR), Danny Brannagan (QB), Dan Village (P/K),
Osie Ukwuoma (DE), Scott Valberg (REC)
ABOUT WESTERN
Last Game: Defeated Wilfrid Laurier 26-16 on Nov. 7, 2009, in OUA semifinal at Waterloo, Ont., in OUA semifinal. A week before, defeated Guelph 37-18 on Oct. 31, 2009, at TD Waterhouse Stadium in OUA quarter-final.
Mustangs Regular Season Wins in 2009: Over Wilfrid Laurier, Ottawa, Guelph, Windsor, Toronto and York
Mustangs Playoff Wins in 2009: Over Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier
Mustangs Regular Season Losses in 2009: To Queen’s (27-26) and McMaster (42-35)
Mustangs Playoff Losses in 2009: None – last playoff loss in 2008 Vanier Cup to Laval, last OUA playoff loss was in 2006 when the Mustangs lost 20-15 against Wilfrid Laurier with Michael Faulds injured on the sidelines. The Mustangs have won the past two Yates Cups. It’s Western’s 26th straight playoff appearance. Greg Marshall, head coach, is 19-0 in OUA playoff games as head coach.
On Road: 4-1 in 2009 (3-1 regular season, 1-0 in playoffs)
At Home: 4-1 in 2009 (3-1 regular season, 1-0 in playoffs)
Head Coach: Greg Marshall (3rd Season)
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2009): 3
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2009): 10 (seven with McMaster)
- Career regular season record with team: 17-7
- Career regular season record in CIS: 59-19-2
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 25-9
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 78-27-2
First Quarter Drought: Do not be surprised if Queen’s leads early. Western has been outscored 84-57 in the first quarter this season and trailed at the half against Wilfrid Laurier in Nov. 7’s semi.
Third Quarter Success: Making adjustments at the half and using their excellent fitness, thanks to full-time strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watson, the Mustangs have outscored their opponents 131-24 this season in the third quarter, including a 17-0 shutout over Wilfrid Laurier in the Nov. 7 semifinal.
Kicking for the Cup: Darryl Wheeler is a perfect 8/8 in field goals in the post-season in two games, booting a career-long 41-yarder in the quarter-final win over Guelph Oct. 31.
Riva-val for Nathan Riva: Nathan Riva has three touchdowns in two playoff games and has two of his three highest career rushing outputs in both 2009 playoff games. His other best yardage output was in the 2008 playoffs against Laurier. Riva had 171 yards in the Oct. 31 quarter-final win over Guelph and 279 yards in the semifinal win at Wilfrid Laurier on Nov. 7. He is averaging 6.4 yards per rush through the regular season and playoffs and 161 all-purpose yards each game in 2009. He has 18 touchdowns this season.
Senior quarterback turns 26: Michael Faulds turned 26 on Wednesday Nov. 11.
Injury Report: Defensive tackles Mike Van Praet (broken foot) and Scott Fournier (torn bicep) are gone for the season…. Andy Rady (concussion) doubtful.
ABOUT QUEEN’S
Last Game: Defeated McMaster in 32-6 in the OUA semifinal and looks to win its first Yates Cup since 1978 when both the OUA West and OUA East schools won for being division champions.
Gaels Losses in 2009: To Wilfrid Laurier in Week 8 (25-13)
Gaels Wins in 2009: Over Western, McMaster, Ottawa, York, Windsor, Guelph, Waterloo and again over McMaster in playoffs
Gaels at Home in 2009: 5-0 at home at Richardson Stadium (4-0 regular season, 1-0 playoffs)
Streak: Queen’s has not won a playoff game since Oct. 28, 2006, beating McMaster 25-19 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ont. Last home playoff win on Oct. 25, 2003, 27-6 over York in OUA quarter-final.
Head Coach, Director of Football Operations: Pat Sheahan (10th season)
2009 Record: 7-1, 1st OUA
2009 Playoffs: Received first-round bye, defeated McMaster 32-6 in OUA semifinal
