Mustangs top Gaels 35-11 in Saturday Night Showdown
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London, ON – Sporting special edition black jerseys for a "Saturday Night Lights" rematch of last year's Yates Cup, the Mustangs bested the Queens Gaels 35-11 in a packed Western Alumni Stadium.
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The Mustangs faced the Gaels for the first time since last year's 29-0 Yates Cup victory on Saturday night with packed stands and an illuminating light show to welcome in the official start to the school year.
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"I thought overall defensively we did a really good job," said head coach Greg Marshall. "We made some big plays on offense, but overall a really solid team win."
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With a chance to go 3-0 and remain the only unbeaten team in the OUA up for grabs, an exchanging of punts would open up the first quarter before a shared offensive effort helped lead the Mustangs to victory.
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"I trust all of the guys that dress," said quarterback Evan Hillock. "I think we are a really deep team skill and position wise. I'm really proud of that group of guys."
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"[The offense] is mixed around," added Marshall. "Seth [Robertson] made some great catches and both Edouard [Wanadi] and Keon [Edwards] did a great job of running the football."
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"We got a good core out there and everyone can make a play on the ball," said Seth Robertson. "We try to be efficient. We left a little bit on the field but it's a good win and we'll enjoy it right now."
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The 'Stangs would be the first to open up the scoring as quarterback Evan Hillock completed a 54-yard pass to Justin Nickson, sending the overflowing crowds of supporters into a frenzy of spirited chants and cheers.
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A 37-yard run by Keon Edwards would close out the quarter, setting up the Mustangs on the 13-yard line to start the second. Hillock would run the ball himself the 13-yards for a touchdown, putting Western up 14-0 early on.
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"That guy is the man, we have a lot of faith in him," said Robertson on his quarterback. "Every day he looks great, we are pretty excited to have number one back there and wouldn't want to have anyone else."
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The visitors in yellow would capitalize on offensive possession and get their first touchdown of the night midway through the quarter, cutting the deficit in half.
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Despite this, Hillock and his receivers would restore the lead to 14 points just before the end of the half, as a 19-yard pass to Savaughn Magnaye-Jones would set the Mustangs up on the Queens 32
-yard line and put them in the driver's seat. Â
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Robertson would then connect with his quarterback for a touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the half, as the scoreboard would read 21-7 to close out the first.
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"I thought the ball was going to hit the upright, but I'm really happy he made a great catch," said Hillock on the play. "[Seth] works hard, he is a really smart football minded guy. I'm really happy he got his first touchdown of the season."
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"It was short by 4-yards," said Robertson. "I wasn't even thinking about it. Just got to focus on the ball."
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With Queens on the offense to start the second half, a pass interference would see the Gaels set up just outside the 12-yard line looking to make their way back into this game. The purple and whites defense however would come up strong and shut them down.
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A Mustangs gamble on their first possession of the half would then see Queens regain possession at the 11, however an offensive pass interference would mean the Gaels would have to settle for a field goal and the three points for a now 21-10 score.
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"I knew we were going to go for it, we should've got it," said Hillock. "The defense is a great group and they picked us up. They had two stands there. They stopped them, we couldn't do it, and then they held them to three which is a huge momentum shift for us. They played a great game."
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"Our defense absolutely bailed us out," said Marshall.
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Western would extend their lead yet again just before the end of the quarter. On par with the theme of spreading the offense, a 44-yard carry by Edouard Wanadi would be finished off with a Magnaye-Jones touchdown.
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In control with the final fifteen still to play, the Mustangs would concede a single with ten minutes to play, but Wanadi would complete one final touchdown before the horn for a final score of 35-11.
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As the whistle sounded signaling the start of an LED light show illuminating throughout the stadium, the Mustangs now head into a bye week to the sounds of elated Mustang supporters and an electric atmosphere in what could be a preview of the Vanier Cup.
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"It would be pretty cool," said Marshall on the possibility of playing a Vanier in front of a similar crowd. "Both sides were full, it really created that energy that our kids fed off of."
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"It was cool to see it packed," said quarterback Evan Hillock. "It was loud, it was a great atmosphere, and I'm really happy we had them behind us for this week."
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The importance of a bye week is not lost on the team either, as the team prepares for a full practice week before having the weekend off.
"It's right in the middle of the season, right where you want your bye week," commented Hillock. "We got to rest up and clean up some stuff. We have a lot to improve on. We need to stay focused and get ready for Waterloo."
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And while the focus is always on the next matchup, the overall goal is not lost either.
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"It feels nice," said Robertson on being the only undefeated team in the OUA. "But there are a lot of teams across the country that haven't lost a game too. We have to focus on the big picture."
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"Now we control first place, and its huge to have a playoff bye and this year only one team gets it," concluded Marshall. "It's imperative to have that week off to rest up after the regular season, it is crucial for success in the playoffs."
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The Mustangs now head into a bye week, returning to action at home on September 24
th as they welcome the Waterloo Warriors for a Homecoming matchup. Kick-off is set for 1pm, with the action being available to watch on OUA.tv and tickets being available to purchase at westernmustangs.ca/tickets
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