OTTAWA, Ontario — Standout rookie Receiver Emmett Charles moved is the U SPORTS leader in touchdown receptions with a trio of scores in the Mustangs 37-27 win over Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.
The Banting Broncos alum had four receptions on the day, totalling 129 yards, scoring three times.
Head Coach Michael Faulds said Western handled the setting and conditions in Ottawa, noting, "it's never an easy place to play" and adding that "our guys battled." After a slower opening, Faulds said, "It wasn't the prettiest start, but in the second quarter and then into the 3rd, we kind of found our stride," pointing to QB Ben Casselman's efficiency, Emmett Charles' continued growth, Ethan Dolby's latest 100-yard outing and defensive contributions across the lineup. Faulds also credited the Mustangs' response to the shifting wind, saying, "I thought overall we handled it pretty well, our kicking game got better as the game went along," especially during a third quarter in which the Mustangs built separation after what he called "a back and forth close first half."
The Mustangs created an early field-position swing with a 54-yard gain while the game was still scoreless, part of an offense that finished with production in both the passing and rushing games. The late defensive sequence also mattered to the shape of the game, as the Mustangs denied Ottawa a touchdown from the goal line in the fourth quarter and ended the threat with a turnover. Ottawa still generated 19 first downs and held the ball for 31:07, but the Mustangs limited Ottawa to 57 rushing yards while recording a sack and six pass breakups.
The Mustangs passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, with Ben Casselman completing 14 of 15 attempts and also adding a rushing touchdown. Ethan Dolby added 101 rushing yards on 14 carries as the Mustangs finished with 150 yards on the ground. The Mustangs also converted all five PAT kicks, while Ottawa's scoring included three touchdowns and two field goals.
GAME RECAP
The Mustangs broke through late in the first quarter when Casselman connected with Charles for a 54-yard touchdown and Mateo Pasquini added the extra point. After Ottawa's 73-yard touchdown drive, the Mustangs limited Ottawa's next two possessions to 16 and 7 yards. Each team scored seven points in the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Mustangs got the first points on a safety, then followed with a scoring drive capped by Jerome Rancourt's 1-yard touchdown run and Mateo Pasquini's kick. Ottawa answered after Robin Collioud's 90-yard kickoff return set up Souleymane Camara's 1-yard touchdown, but the Mustangs responded with a nine-play, 90-yard march finished by Ben Casselman's 28-yard touchdown pass to Charles with 1:05 left. The Mustangs added 16 points in the quarter while allowing seven.
"The guys worked hard this week at practice, and we executed in game. Props to (Ben) Casselmam for some great throws today and giving me some good opportunities to finish on the plays" said Charles.
Two one-play third-quarter possessions turned into touchdowns for the Mustangs, first when Casselman found Charles for 36 yards and later when Casselman rushed 4 yards after a punt return and Ottawa penalty placed the ball at the Ottawa 4. Pasquini made both kicks, and although Ottawa added a 22-yard field goal and had the ball at the Mustangs' 21 when the quarter expired, the Mustangs outscored Ottawa 14-3 in the quarter.
The Mustangs were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, but their defense helped preserve the result with stops that included Rory Litt's sack and pass breakups by Alex Figen, Thomson Silcox and Brennan Keba. Ottawa added a 35-yard field goal and a late touchdown, while the Mustangs answered the onside kick by keeping possession and getting a 21-yard run from Dolby. The Mustangs finished the game with a 37-27 win.
The Mustangs moved to 6-1 on the regular season with the win.
MUSTANGS KEY STATS
QB Ben Casselman
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- Completed 14 of 15 passes for 242 yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 10 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
WR Emmett Charles
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- 4 receptions
- 129 receiving yards
- 3 receiving touchdowns
RB Ethan Dolby
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- 101 rushing yards on 14 carries
- 2 receptions for 10 yards
LB Dylan Tharby
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- 7 total tackles
K Mateo Pasquini
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- 5-for-5 on PAT kicks
NEXT GAME
The Mustangs will finish the regular season next weekend with a meeting against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
"It's our last regular season football game, it is meaningful for both teams. For Laurier, they needed to make the playoffs, so we're gonna get their best effort." said Faulds. "We have chances of still getting that number one seed, which is exactly what we want to do, which means we have to go 1 and 0 this week. So they're gonna be motivated on their end, and I know our guys are gonna be motivated on our end, and we expect it to be a tough, hard fought game."
The game is set for 1:00 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium. Fans can buy their tickets at
WesternMustangs.ca/Tickets. Western and affiliate students get FREE admission with valid ONECard.
