Marauders seek justice in OUA semifinals, winner advances to Yates Cup

LONDON, Ont. – It’s time for the second season to begin for the No. 2 ranked Western Mustangs football team.

The regular season is done with the Mustangs securing a first-round playoff bye and the chance to host an OUA semifinal game by finishing in second place at 7-1.

Western will host the McMaster Marauders at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in a game that will be seen nationwide live on The Score television network. McMaster dethroned the 2009 Yates Cup and Vanier Cup champions Queen’s Gaels in quarter-final action last week 40-19.

While Western has had its troubles with McMaster as of late, losing seven of their past 10 games against the Marauders, the Mustangs did dispose of them 50-19 in their most recent meeting on Sept. 11 at TD Waterhouse Stadium. That win kicked off the Mustangs current six-game win streak.

The confines of TD Waterhouse Stadium have been the Mustangs biggest weapon recently as they have won 17 of their past 18 games there, including six playoff games in a row.

That only blemish happens to be at the hands of McMaster, a 42-35 loss on Homecoming in 2009.

McMaster coach Stefan Ptaszek acknowledged how tough it is to play Western at home.

“We’ve been there for Homecoming, for (over) 9,000 fans this season, luckily there is a track there to give us a bit of distance from their fans,” Ptaszek said. “It’s a fun place to play.”

When asked about the streak at home and the one loss during that time being to McMaster, Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall talked about the importance of home-field advantage.

“Oh, I forgot about that one (Homecoming loss), must have been a long time ago,” Marshall joked before answering. “Home field is imporant. That crowd on Sept. 11 was loud, lots of students, and it’s comfortable to play on your own field.”

Marshall has been a great tactical coach in the playoffs, getting the most out of the Mustangs in the past few years. It was the same at McMaster where Marshall guided the Marauders to four straight Yates Cup titles.

Marshall sports a 8-3 record in the playoffs with Western and a perfect 5-0 record at home in the playoffs since becoming the Mustangs head coach.

Running back Nathan Riva has fully recovered from a pre-season hamstring injury and has integrated back into the offence as part of a thunder and lightning combo with running back and OUA touchdown leader Jerimy Hipperson.

This duo will help the Mustangs, a team ready to continue their offensive dominance at home. In four games this season at home the Mustangs have put up 165 points, averaging 41 points per game.

It’s not on the offensive side of the ball where Western has been most impressive at home, though. The defence has only allowed 53 points at home this season, an average of just 13 points per game.

With Craig Butler and John Surla in the Top 10 in tackles in the OUA, and a defensive line continually getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Mustangs frustrated the Marauders in their last meeting.

While the scoreline of that first game was lopsided, the Mustangs will not be taking their opponent lightly.

“We know we are in for a challenge, this is one of the top football teams in the conference, well coached on offence and defence,” Marshall said. “Our guys won’t be over-confident going in to this game.”

Come see Surla try to advance to his fourth straight Yates Cup appearance at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Nov. 6 at TD Waterhouse Stadium.

Tickets are still available and they can be purchased at www.westernmustangs.ca.

The Mustangs website will also feature a live blog and live stats for the game.

Fans can listen online at AM 1290 CJBK (www.cjbk.com) or CHRW 94.9 FM (www.chrwradio.com/listen), or watch live on The Score.

Tickets
To order 519 661.3090 or click here
Ticket prices are as follows.
Reserved Seating
VIP Seating: $25 for all ages
Section C: $20 for all ages
Sections B-D: $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 2-12), $15 for students
General Admission
Sections A, E, F, G, H, J and K: $12 for adults, $5 for children (ages 2-12), $8 for students
Groups: $5 for adults, $5 for children (ages 2-12) – call 519 661.4077 for group ticket sales
The Laurier Golden Hawks will play the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the other OUA semifinal also on Nov. 6, but at 1 p.m. Both games can be seen live on The Score.

—
Andy Watson