Gaels wrap up road schedule in Windsor

The Queen’s Gaels (3-2) will make the long trip to the University of Windsor Stadium this weekend to take on the Windsor Lancers (4-1) which will conclude a three game road trip.

The Gaels lead the historical series between the two teams with a record of 5-4-0 since 2001. Queen’s hasn’t lost to Windsor since 2006, taking the last three contests between the two teams.

The Gaels are coming off of a scrappy 13-6 road win over the Toronto Varsity Blues (2-3) in which they battled the elements in addition to their opponent. Boris Isakov of Toronto had the game-breaking play for the Gaels with a touchdown coming off of a punt block, while Dan Village of Abbotsford, B.C. kicked two field goals to become the team’s all-time leading field goal kicker in the victory, passing Jamie Galloway.

On offence, Billy McPhee of Burlington, Ont. struggled in the passing game, throwing for 91 yards on seven completions. Craig Rushon of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. was the Gaels most productive offensive player with 109 yards rushing on 16 carries.

Toronto natives Derek Wiggan and Anthony Marino were the Gaels top performers on defence as both players stepped up in a game where Queen’s lost three defensive starters to injury in the first half. Wiggan, who started the game at defensive end, recorded eight tackles in the win, while Marino came off the bench in injury relief and recorded six tackles.

The Lancers are the surprise of the OUA through five weeks of the season. Last week, the Lancers dominated the Guelph Gryphons (1-4) in Windsor. Austin Kennedy of Windsor, Ont. was the catalyst for the Lancers offence as he accumulated 176 yards passing on 21 completions. Jordan Brescacin of Tecumseh, Ont. had 76 yards receiving to lead his team.

These two teams last met in Kingston last September in the Gaels home opener. Justin Chapdelaine of Abbotsford, Ont. put up 263 combined yards of offence and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) in the victory. Despite very rainy conditions, over 5,000 fans took in the last matchup between these two teams at Richardson Stadium and celebrated the Gaels’ 2009 championship banner raising.

The Gaels and Lancers will meet once again on Saturday with kick-off set for 7:00 pm on Alumni Field in Windsor.

Posted by: Christopher Lund (Sports Information) ———————————————————————————————-
Notes:
The most points ever scored by the Gaels against Windsor is 51… The most points ever conceded by the Gaels against Windsor is 36…Tom Denison, who was honoured last weekend for his performances as a Gael at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, set a Gaels record for pass attempts in a game with 53 in 2002… Billy McPhee made his Gaels debut against the Lancers in 2010… Dan Village set a Gaels record for longest punt with an 86 yard kick against the Lancers in 2010.

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The Lancer Football program will host visiting Queen’s Gaels this coming Saturday night (7:00pm) in the Turkey Bowl on Alumni Field.

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday night’s game is blacked out from television so the only way to see the game will be in person that night at University of Windsor Stadium.

After a 41-21 win over the Guelph Gryphons last Saturday, the Lancers have moved back into the top ten spot in the CIS rankings.

Once again, Lancer QB Austin Kennedy played a large role in the win completing 17 of 24 passes with 2 TD’s to go along with 1 rushing TD. Wideout Cory Fernandes continues to be a familiar target for Kennedy as Fernandes caught 6 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.

However, the most exciting play of the game came five minutes into the fourth quarter. With Windsor leading 34-14,OUA defensive player of the week Matt McGarva, picked off Guelph QB Jazz Lindsey and scampered 109 yards for the score. While setting a new Lancer record for longest TD return, the play sealed the victory for the Lancers who look to continue their strong play against the Gaels this Saturday.

Against Queen’s, the Lancers will face a daunting Gaels defence that is ranked 1st in penalty yards with 289 and 2nd in penalties with 38.

The Gaels are coming off a hard fought, low scoring 13-6 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues in Toronto. Gaels QB Billy McPhee will look to improve on his outing against the Blues, which saw him go 7 for 21 and collect just 91 yards in offence.

McPhee will see a steady dose of McGarva, who currently has 28 tackles, ranking him 7[SUP]th[/SUP] in the CIS in total tackles.

Kennedy will look to attack that stingy Gaels defence by establishing a passing game that should open up more holes for running back Shamori Grant. Standout receiver Jordan Brescacin will look to add to his already gaudy numbers which see him ranked 4[SUP]th[/SUP] in the CIS in receptions (33), yards (539), yards per game (107.8) and touchdowns (5).

The last time these two teams did battle, the Gaels trounced the Lancers 40-7, in Kingston, back on September 12[SUP]th[/SUP], 2010.

In honour of Thanksgiving weekend, and the Lancers Turkey Bowl tradition, the Department of Athletics will be giving away a turkey to one lucky fan during each quarter of play on Saturday.

Windsor Sports Info