LONDON, Ont. - The Western Mustangs begin a series of three games over 11 days with a difficult test against a veteran-laden Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks squad on Wednesday night.
It's a chance to make it five wins in a row for Western over Laurier in a rematch of the 2009 OUA semifinal - won 26-16 by the Mustangs.
More importantly, when Western takes on last year's second-place team in the OUA in the 2010 season opener, it's a chance to get an important win under their belt with a very difficult opening two weeks to the schedule.
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at Western Mustangs
TV: Rogers TV, Cable 13 (London, Ont.)
Radio: CJBK 1290 (London, Ont. - http://www.cjbk.com)
Live Blog: http://westernmustangs.ca/news/2010/8/31/FB_0831102723.aspx
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/uwo/football/
Western, which also faces the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the nation's capital on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. and then returns home to host McMaster on Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium, knows with their early tests than an 0-3 record is not out of the realm of possibility. It's arguably the toughest start any CIS team faces in 2010.
Head coach Greg Marshall hopes to defeat the highly touted Golden Hawks and will need a great game to do so. He says he believes a productive training camp has helped in preparations.
"We've been progressing pretty well. We had a good camp, lots of practices," says Marshall, now in his fourth season as Mustangs head coach. "I thought it (the Saskatchewan exhibition dsgame) was a good experience. Our starters got a few reps in. And I think if anything some of our younger players who we may very well need to play this year got some of their nerves out playing their first university game."
Marshall says the young Mustangs needed the opportunity to adapt to the university game which has a higher speed and more physicality than high school or club football.
"Training camp was good and we're kind of winding down and getting ready to focus on Wilfrid Laurier," Marshall adds.
The Golden Hawks, which did not play in the pre-season, comes to London still reeling from a home-loss to Western in last season's OUA semifinal. It was the second straight season the Mustangs ended Laurier's quest for the Yates Cup.
Laurier is coached by eight-year bench-boss Gary Jeffries and is expected to be a Top 4 team in the OUA in 2010. While they have not played a pre-season game – regrettably, says Jeffries – a competitive training camp has the Hawks primed for battle.
Laurier will be strong once again with depth at the skilled positions and a solid defence. Led by newcomer quarterback Shane Kelly, a Columbia-transfer who stands at 6-foot-4 and is a mobile 202 pounds, the Golden Hawks will give Western challenge Western's experienced defensive unit.
"He's a complete package," says Jeffries. "He's more consistent. He's extremely well coached and he moves better than what we anticipated. And he throws the ball well, he's got a strong arm."
Along with Kelly, they have three very capable quarterbacks in the lineup, including sophomore pivot Evan Pawliuk and London, Ont., native Luke Thompson who is expected to shift to free safety to get playing time.
"He's really taken control," adds Jeffries. "The kids have bought in, I think. It's a tough transition when you have two returners and someone comes in from the outside. But it's developed well."
Jeffries says Kelly will be the perfect starter for the trip to Western because he will not get caught up in potential hype surrounding the game.
"The one thing he does not have to deal with is that he does not know what going to Western means," Jeffries says. "For Luke and Evan there is obviously some nerves and it's as big a rivalry as there is in the country. It does not mean much to Shane. He's heard about it. He's had some pretty darn good experience playing down in the Ivy League and handling that (pressure)."
Receiver Dillon Heap and linebacker Giancarlo Rapanaro are also top players returning.
However, the Hawks' running game may be a question mark. While former Mustangs and SFU football player Ryan Tremblay is expected to join the Laurier team once eligible mid-season, Anton Bennett is likely to be listed at the top of the depth chart. The second-year Toronto native and brother of former Mustangs running back and current The Score personality Donnovan will need to be effective to limit teams from focusing on the sure-to-be effective passing game.
Special teams star and wide receiver Heap will cause headaches for Western's secondary, while speedy receivers Alex Anthony, a member of the U-19 Team World squad, and Shamawd Chambers will stretch defences all season.
Waterloo transfer defensive backs Patrick McGarry and Mitch Nicholson will add experience and leadership to the secondary, while fellow Warriors transfers including receiver Dustin Zender add depth.
"Our kids, to their credit, were very, very welcoming and welcomed the challenge of competing in camp with some more good players," says Jeffries. "It really has not been an issue, it has only helped us. It's made us deeper and, in a couple of positions, probably better.
A veteran defensive line will give Western's offensive line a strong early test.
The Mustangs and Golden Hawks have split the past 10 meetings, with Western winning the past four.
"We always look forward to going into London and playing Western," says Jeffries. "Our kids are pumped and I'm sure Greg's kids are too. It's going to be a good one."
WESTERN VS. LAURIER FOOTBALL RECENT MEETINGS
The Skinny
OFFENCE: Missing Nathan Riva, who scored two touchdowns and ran for 279 yards and two touchdowns against Wilfrid Laurier in the 2009 semifinal win, Western will look to new starting quarterback Donnie Marshall and running backs Kenny Eansor, Ben Roberts, John Leckie and Jerimy Hipperson for scoring. A relatively experienced receiving corps returrns with Zach Bull, Mike Hegarty, Nick Pasic and Nick Trevail. Rookie Brian Marshall will be a huge addition at slotback.
DEFENCE: Led by strong linebacking group, the Mustangs are more experienced and return Mike Van Praet and Scott Fournier from injury on the defensive line. The secondary will be more mature and prepared for the Laurier strength at receiver.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Darryl Wheeler is expected to take the punting duties, while sophomore Lirim Harjullahu is expected to be the placekicker.
Last Games:
LAURIER: Lost 26-16 to Western in 2009 OUA semifinal on Nov. 7, 2009.
WESTERN: Lost 40-12 in Saskatoon on Aug. 27, 2010, in an exhibition game. Lost in 2009 Yates Cup 43-39 to Queen's. Last win over Laurier on Nov. 7, 2009.
