The last time the Gee-Gees football team and the Windsor Lancers met, on October 15, uOttawa won 32-30 on a last-second field goal. On October 29, at Frank Clair Stadium, the two teams faced off against each other again at the OUA quarterfinals. This time around, uOttawa was not so fortunate as they lost by a score of 50-33.
“I’m disappointed. We’re a young team. I thought we could have done better,” said Gee-Gees head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin.
Windsor quarterback Austin Kennedy started the game strong, just as he did two weeks ago, against the Gee-Gees. He threw for a touchdown and also ran in a score, as Windsor took a 17-3 lead after the first quarter. Fourth-year Gee-Gees kicker Matt Falvo, Welland, Ont., had the only points of the quarter for uOttawa, with a 14-yard field goal.
The Lancers’ potent offence continued their stellar play into the second quarter, as Kennedy threw his second touchdown of the day with 10:46 left in the half. Seven minutes later, Kennedy once again found an open man in the endzone, increasing the Lancers’ lead to 31-3. Fourth-year Gee-Gees quarterback Aaron Colbon, Orleans, Ont., got uOttawa’s offence started just before halftime, finding second-year receiver Justene Edwards, Toronto, Ont., for a 27-yard reception. Ottawa eventually scored on a touchdown catch by fourth-year receiver Bogdan Raic, Ottawa, Ont. Windsor added a late field goal for a 34-10 halftime lead.
“Credit to their offence, they came with a good gameplan,” said Asselin. “They made some big plays, mostly in the first quarter, and that put us out of our gameplan. It was tough to come back from that.”
On the kickoff to open the second half, Edwards had an 82-yard return, to the Windsor 18-yard line. Edwards then scored from a 12-yard touchdown pass by Colbon. However, the Lancers came right back to score a touchdown on the next drive, regaining their 24-point lead. By the end of the third quarter, Windsor led 50-20. Kennedy finished with 429 yards passing and five touchdowns while Colbon countered with 351 passing yards and three touchdowns.
“We lost some players for a long period of time [on defence], and when they were back, they were not at 100 per cent,” said Asselin about the team’s injury situation. “But in the end, we still had the possibilities to make plays, and we didn’t. We’re a young team and we’ll be back.”
Ottawa’s spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter fell short, as uOttawa lost 50-33, despite scoring two touchdowns in the final 15 minutes.
The Gee-Gees’ chase for the Vanier Cup is now over. Stay tuned to find out which Gee-Gees made the OUA and CIS All-Star teams.
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