KINGSTON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs travelled to Kingston in search of a perfect regular season, but the Queen’s Gaels spoiled the day, winning 37-0. The Mustangs had already locked up top spot in the OUA and a bye to the semi-finals but were looking for an 8-0 record, their first since 1998.  

Western decided to rest a number of injured players, giving them an extra week of rest in preparation of the OUA Semi-Final on November 5 at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont.  Regulars Mike Van Praet, Tyler Varga, Donnie Marshall, Brian Marshall, Matt Norman, Zach Bull and Brent Wheeler were all out of the lineup but are expected to dress for playoffs.

The Mustangs offense struggled in the first quarter, but the period would have been much closer if not for an 88-yard rushing touchdown from Queen’s running back Ryan Granberg. Queen’s added two field goals from Dan Village and along with a conceded safety on a punt, the Gaels led 15-0 at the end of the first.

The second quarter was much of the same as the Mustangs and the Gaels failed to sustain any significant drives. Fifth year senior Ian Noble came in at quarterback for the Mustangs, completing 7 of 11 passes, but also throwing an interception deep in Gaels territory.  Noble did have a couple of long runs, rushing for 54 yards in the quarter, but the Western offense could not put any points on the board. Queen’s added one more field goal and took an 18-0 lead into halftime.

The second half started poorly for the Mustangs as Queen’s quarterback Billy McPhee connected with Justin Chapdelaine on a long 74- pass, but Queen’s was only able to put a Village field goal on the board. Queen’s 25, Western 0.

On Western’s second possession of the second half Noble connected with full back James Sifakis, but the Gaels knocked the ball loose and picked it up and ran it into the end zone. The fumble recovery was the final score of the quarter as Queen’s led 28-0 after three quarters.

A missed Village field goal put Queen’s up 29-0 early in the final quarter, followed by another single point later in the quarter. Queen’s put the final touches on the game with a rushing touchdown from the Mustangs’ 1-yard line in the final minutes to make the final score Queen’s 37, Western 0.

The Mustangs traveled to Kingston looking to complete the perfect regular season, however some key injuries, lineup changes and a spirited Queen’s team kept the Stangs from going 8-0 in the regular season.

Noble led the Mustangs in rushing with 127 yards on the ground and threw for another 163 yards, going 21-35 with two interceptions. Granberg led the Gaels with 197 yards rushing , while the Gaels defense completed the season without giving up a rushing touchdown.

Western now has two weeks before their next game as they had already secured top spot in the OUA playoffs and a bye into the Semi-Finals. The Mustangs will be hosting an OUA semi-final on Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont.