Second place in the OUA, and a first-round playoff bye will be on the line on October 22, when the Gee-Gees face the McMaster Marauders at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton. Ottawa is currently ranked ninth nationally, in the CIS Top Ten, while McMaster is ranked fifth. Last season, the Gee-Gees beat the Marauders in a 43-35 shootout at home.
βMcMaster is a team that can run the ball, and they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country,β said Gee-Gees head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin. βOn defence, their free safety is leading the conference in picks. They have a strong back end, and they bring a lot of pressure to stop the run. Itβs a big challenge on all three sides of the ball. If weβre able to run the ball on those guys, and stop the big plays on defence, itβll be a game-changer.β
The Gee-Gees running game depends heavily on third-year running back Brendan Gillanders (Orleans, Ont.) who rushed for 117 yards, and caught six catches for 123 yards in uOttawaβs last game against Windsor. Gillanders was also very successful on third downs, converting on three straight third-and-short situations in the fourth quarter against Windsor.
βWe have all the confidence in the world in him,β said Asselin. βAny situation when we need one yard to gain the first down, Iβm pretty confident weβll get it every time.β
Gee-Gees fourth-year quarterback Aaron Colbon (Orleans, Ont.) arguably had his best start of his CIS career against Windsor, completing 21 of 34 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Colbon will need to keep up his strong play against the ball-hawking Marauders defence.
βAs a veteran, he knew the system, but obviously being the starter for four quarters is a little bit different than watching from the sidelines. I think heβs finally found his rhythm,β said Asselin about his quarterback. βOutside of when we forced some things this season, because we were behind in the fourth quarter, he protected the football, and was able to produce some points for us.β
Gee-Gees fans can catch the game live on Rogers Cable 22, and SSN Canada this Saturday.
Football (5-2 OUA, 5-3 overall)
@ McMaster (6-1 OUA) Saturday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. at Ron Joyce Stadium (SSN Canada, Rogers Cable 22)
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