Gaels head east to face the Gee-Gees (Sheahan video)

KINGSTON, Ont. (September 7, 2011) – The Queen’s Gaels’ (0-1) season got off to a slow start on Labour Day with a 26-2 loss at the hands of the No. 3 McMaster Marauders (1-0). With a short week ahead of them the Gaels’ focus will shift to the first of three September road games this Saturday when they head to Frank Clair Stadium to take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees (1-0).

The game will be the 95th time the Gaels and Gee-Gees square off since their first matchup in 1889. The Gee-Gees lead the series with an all-time record of 48-43-3. The Gaels haven’t had to travel to Frank Clair Stadium since 2009 when they beat the Gee-Gees by a 20-8 score.

The Gaels struggled to produce consistent offence in their home opener despite strong performances on defence and special teams. Osie Ukwuoma of Mississauga, Ont. further solidified his place amongst Gaels greats as his sack of McMaster’s Kyle Quinlan of South Woodslee, Ont. moved him into second place on the Gaels’ sack leaderboard. Joshua Sultana of Etobicoke, Ont. also forced an interception in the first quarter for the Gaels defence.

Billy McPhee of Burlington, Ont. made his debut as the starting quarterback for the Gaels and finished with 13 completions on 32 attempts, amassing 152-yards and two interceptions. Last season’s starting quarterback Justin Chapdelaine of Abbotsford, B.C. was solid in his debut as a receiver making five catches for 64 yards and rushing the ball 26 yards on four attempts. Chapdelaine also contributed with his arm when he converted a pass for 13-yards on a hitch-and-pitch play.

The Gee-Gees did not have any difficulty in their Labour Day game against the Guelph Gryphons as they came away with a 35-8 victory on the road. Aaron Colbon of Ottawa had a successful debut in the starting role as he threw for 298 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the victory. Fellow Ottawa native Brendan Gillanders added 186 yards rushing and a touchdown to the Gee-Gees offence.

In their last meeting, the then-No.2 Gee-Gees narrowly edged the Gaels at Richardson Stadium by a 27-25 score in overtime. Chapdelaine led the Gaels attack with 335 yards passing for Queen’s and Giovanni Aprile of Toronto posted 179 yards receiving as well as the Gaels’ lone receiving touchdown of the game. The loss was the Gaels’ first at Richardson Stadium since September 29, 2007.

Saturday’s game in Ottawa will be a homecoming of sorts for the Gaels’ Ottawa natives Stephen Laporte and Matthew Lapointe as well as linebacker Sam Sabourin who is from nearby Stittsville, Ont. Of the three only Laporte, a fifth year linebacker, has made the trip to Ottawa before in his career.

Kickoff between the Gaels and Gee-Gees is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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NOTES
Saturday’s game will be the 90th regular season game coached by the Gaels’ Pat Sheahan since taking over in 2000… The Gaels are 6-5 in road openers under coach Sheahan… The highest point total ever scored by a Gaels team against the Gee-Gees is 52 (1984,1991)… The highest amount ever conceded by a Gaels team against the Gee-Gees is 57 (1975)… Brad Elberg sits second all-time in Gaels’ rushing yards in a game after his 284 yard performance against Ottawa on October 23, 1992… Gaels’ Special Teams coach Ryan Bechmanis is tied for first all-time in Gaels’ tackles in a single game when he recorded 15 against Ottawa on September 24, 2005.

by: Christopher Lund (Sports Information)