KINGSTON, Ont. - The Mustangs will be heading into Kingston this Saturday for their first meeting of the season against the Queen's Gaels in what is sure to be a heated rivalry game. The Gaels, who have put together a perennially competitive program, currently sit around the middle of the pack this year with a 3-2 record, most recently holding off an incredible Guelph comeback and escaping with the 33-32 victory on the road. The win placed Queen's in sixth place in the OUA standings, as they sit narrowly behind the McMaster Marauders and the Waterloo Warriors.
However, Western will be coming into Saturday's matchup with a more convincing win under their belt, taking down the Waterloo Warriors in a 67-7 blowout to maintain their perfect 4-0 record to sit atop the OUA standings. Western's offence was clicking on all cylinders on the day, as Chris Merchant once again threw for over 300 yards, totaling 348 passing yards while receiver Cole Majoros tallied 123 yards and three touchdowns on the day. But perhaps more impressive than the offence was the Mustangs' ability to hold off Warriors' quarterback Tre Ford. Ford was held to just 130 passing yards, forced into an interception, and was sacked twice on the afternoon. The dominance on both sides of the ball ultimately led to the runaway victory while knocking Waterloo off their second-place position in the OUA standings.
Coming into Kingston this Saturday, Queen's will be looking for their first victory over the purple and white since 2012, as Western has come out on top in their previous six matchups. But despite the history between these two teams and Western's success early in the season, the Mustangs' defence will perhaps face its greatest test against one of the most experienced quarterbacks the OUA has to offer. Fifth-year quarterback Nate Hobbs will be manning the offence for the Gaels for one final regular season matchup against the Mustangs, and in his final year with the team, Hobbs has not disappointed. Ranking first in the OUA in passing attempts, second in receptions, second in total yards, and third in touchdowns, Hobbs has proven to be among the OUA's elite to begin the season.
However, against a defensive line as tenacious as Western's, the question will be whether the Gaels' offensive line can protect Hobbs in the pocket. Sitting third in sacks and fifth in yards lost, avoiding pass-rushers has been a challenge for Queen's through their first five games, and they have yet to face a defence this season as formidable as Western's. If the Mustangs are able to maintain their defensive identity through this weekend, they may very well be able to improve their record over the Gaels to seven in a row following Saturday's rivalry game.
A Western-Queen's matchup always warrants a competitive atmosphere, but despite heading into hostile territory, the purple and white will be looking to add yet another statement game to their resume and maintain their perfect record before heading back home to face the Windsor Lancers. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 P.M. EST and fans can catch the action live on OUA.tv.
