A new season of OUA football kicks off for the McMaster Marauders on Sunday, August 30th when the team travels to Toronto to tackle the Varsity Blues.
Sunday’s contest will mark only the second time the Marauders have played at the new Varsity Stadium, having last made the trip to the University of Toronto in 2010.Ā The two schools have not faced each other in OUA competition since McMaster defeated the Varsity Blues 50-14 in 2011 at Ron Joyce Stadium.Ā The last three seasons have seen the teams miss each other on the OUA schedule.
The Marauders will replace several key members of the 2014 OUA title team that have been lost to graduation.Ā That only means more excitement for fans of the Maroon & Grey as new stalwarts emerge and assume the task of keeping McMaster in the hunt for the Yates Cup.
“We will be facing one of the premier passers in the country,” said Marauder Coach Stef Ptaszek, about Toronto quarterback Simon Nassar. “He’s a gunslinger so it will be a great test for our young secondary.”
The Marauders will unveil their own gunner as Asher Hastings makes his first start at quarterback.Ā Working behind a veteran offensive line, Hastings will lean on running back Wayne Moore, and an outstanding group of receivers led by All-Canadian Danny Vandervoort to put pressure on the Toronto defense.
The game also marks the return to the sideline of Marauder defensive coordinator Joe Sardo, who built the OUA’s dominant defense during the McMaster run of four straight Yates Cup titles between 2000-2003.Ā Coach Sardo will count on his veteran front seven to set the tone, in front of the rebuilt secondary where senior safety Keldyn Ahlstedt will have to lead a young group.
Toronto is looking to get back into the OUA playoffs after a long absence and a win over the Marauders would make a strong statement for the Varsity Blues program.
McMaster enters the 2015 season as something of a wildcard, having graduated several standouts at key positions, but the core of last season’s OUA championship team returns, along with an experienced and dedicated coaching staff.
Filling the role of underdogĀ has never bothered the Marauders though, and they know Sunday is the first step along the path toward another Yates Cup.
Sunday’s game is also available on radio on TSN 1150 on the AM dial, with Marshall Ferguson and Ben Chapdelaine calling all the action.Ā The pre-game show starts at 12:30 pm.
A reminder for Marauder fans– The team’s Home Opener is Saturday, September 12 versus Ottawa at Ron Joyce Stadium.Ā Season seats and single game tickets are available at Maraudertickets.com.
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