OTTAWA, Ontario — The Mustangs delivered early and often as they took a 49-7 win over Carleton on Saturday.
The Mustangs ran for 384 yards and three touchdowns and added three passing scores in the win.
Head Coach Michael Faulds pointed to balance around QB Ben Casselman's first start and a defence that reversed recent turnover issues: "Ben's first start as a U SPORTS quarterback, it was good to see he was very efficient, didn't show any signs of nerves, spread the ball around, we really leaned on our run game, especially when the score kind of dictated that, a lot of different guys getting carries, close to 400 yards of rushing," said Faulds. "Defensively, we've talked the last few weeks how we've been on the wrong side of the turnover battle. The fact that we were able to win the turnover battle and create a lot of interceptions on defence, that was good to see."
After making a change to elevate Casselman to the starting role for the game this week Faulds says he is committed to keeping Casselman moving forward, "He stays, for sure. We won't be making a switch there."
GAME RECAP
The Mustangs leaned on their rushing game and turnover-free possessions, carrying 42 times for 384 yards and three touchdowns while adding 191 passing yards and three more scores through the air. Casselman completed 10 of 15 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while Ethan Dolby ran for 140 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
The Mustangs opened with touchdown drives of 84 and 90 yards, with Casselman finding Nik Shewchuk for 28- and 15-yard scores and Mateo Pasquini making both extra points.
"Both great throws from Ben. Put me in a good position to make those plays." said Shewchuk. "Felt great to make that early impact on the game."
The defence kept Carleton off the board, forcing three punts before Cyrus McGarrell intercepted a pass and returned it 44 yards to the Carleton 31. Dolby added a 17-yard run after the takeaway, and the Mustangs finished the first quarter with a 14-0 scoring edge.
Two early second-quarter touchdowns followed, with Dolby scoring on a 14-yard run and Jerome Rancourt finishing a 1-yard touchdown after Brennan Keba's 59-yard punt return set up the Mustangs at the Carleton 7. The defense kept Carleton off the board, including a third-down sack shared by Conner Franzisi and Nathan Summers. Pasquini added a 20-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Mustangs into halftime ahead 34-0.
The Mustangs turned Thomson Silcox forced fumble that was recoverd by Dylan Tharby near midfield into points, moving from the Carleton 42 to set up Pasquini's 25-yard field goal. Carleton answered with a touchdown drive capped by Elijah Barnes' 10-yard run and an Ethan Farahani extra point. The Mustangs' next possession started at its 5 yard line after a penalty wiped out Dasani McIntosh's 71-yard return, but Jack Kelly ran for gains of 14 and 16 yards before Casselman hit Emmett Charles for 35 yards into Carleton territory.
The Mustangs added two early fourth-quarter touchdowns, with Casselman hitting Jackson Taylor for a 17-yard score at 14:23 and Geoffrey Clubine running in from 7 yards at 9:58. The defense kept Carleton scoreless in the quarter, including Eric Klemm's interception at the Mustangs' 33 with 6:13 remaining. Pasquini later added a rouge after a missed 23-yard field goal, and the Mustangs finished off the 49-7 win.
MUSTANGS KEY STATS
RB Ethan Dolby
----------------------
- 140 rushing yards on 12 carries
- 1 rushing touchdown
- 1 reception for 12 yards
QB Ben Casselman
----------------------
- 10-for-15 passing for 177 yards
- 3 touchdown passes
WR Nik Shewchuk
----------------------
- 3 receptions for 54 yards
- 2 touchdown receptions
K Mateo Pasquini
----------------------
- 2 field goals on 3 attempts
- Long field goal of 25 yards
- 6 PATs made on 6 attempts
DB. Cyrus McGarrell
----------------------
- 1 interception
- 44-yard interception return
- 3 total tackles
NEXT GAME
The Mustangs are headed back to the nation's capital next weekend. Western takes on the uOttawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Fans can watch the action on OUA.tv.
