Mauraders and Mustangs clash in OUA semi-finals

The Marauders have not lost a game since losing to Western in week two last season and Kyle Quinlan is the biggest reason why. Quinlan was suspended for three games after that loss and has come back with a new sense of focus. He’s simply the best passer in the country and he’s become an incredibly dangerous threat to run. His 19 TD passes led the country and remarkably he threw only two INTs against the 19 majors, an absolutely frightening stat.

What’s even scarier is that the Marauders have been this dominant without their starting RB and the OUA’s top player of a year ago, both of whom were injured within about five minutes of each other in training camp. Chris Pezzetta was entering his second season at RB, but hurt his knee and needed surgery. Michael DiCroce had 48 catches for over 900 yards last year, but hasn’t been in the lineup all season due to a foot injury. He should be in the lineup this week against Western. He’ll obviously have some rust to shake off, but he knows the system inside and out and is certainly not suffering from the normal wear and tear of a season. Adding DiCroce to a group that includes Robert Babic, Brad Fochesato and Max Cameron almost seems unfair at this point.

If there is a negative right now it’s that Jimmy Hill, who was supposed to be the main fill in for Pezzetta, is also out for the season. That leaves the rushing duties to Kasean Davis-Reynolds, who only carried the ball 62 times this year, but averaged a CIS-best 8.9 yards a carry.

Mac’s O-line is dominant. Matt Sewell leads the group and may get the nod as the OUA’s top lineman this year. Mac’s ‘hoggies’ are equally adept at protecting Quinlan or opening holes for the RBs. Watching them match up with Western’s veteran D-line should be fun for those who appreciate line play.

Again, the Marauders have a wealth of talent on defence, led by an aggressive group of ball hawks on the back end. They tied for the CIS lead in interceptions, averaging two per game. Steven Ventresca led the team with four picks, and Mike Daly added three.

The front seven can be a nightmare for opponents, especially the guy wearing number 52. Ben D’Aguilar has never met a QB that he didn’t want to hit. He’s pretty good at it too, co-leading the CIS in sacks with 12.5. It’s a veteran group that probably doesn’t get its proper recognition because of the bevy of talent on the other side of the football.

Also lost in the shuffle is PK Tyler Crapigna. Remember his missed FG attempt in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter at the Vanier Cup? It was his last miss. After kicking the Vanier Cup winner in double overtime, Crapigna went 18/18 this season in that category. He had a 46 yarder that was the fourth longest in the country this year.

Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek is joined by coordinators Jon Behie and Greg Knox. Mac is the best team in the country, but as they say, strange things can happen on any given Saturday.

Western’s win over Windsor last week was more than just a little impressive. In the first half the Mustangs rolled up 44 points en route to a 56-35 win in a game that was never in doubt. QB Will Finch was in command from the opening series and ended up completing 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards, no INTs and four TDs, all to Matt Uren, who totaled eight catches for 166 yards. He was named the OUA’s top offensive player for the week as a result. Uren also provided those who braved rainy conditions in London with the game’s most exciting play, a 71-yard punt return that was stopped just shy of the end zone.

Garret Sanvido led the CIS in rushing, but missed last week’s game. IN THE HUDDLE anticipated prior to last week that if he wasn’t able to go, Yannick Harou would be more than an adequate fill in. He was. The freshman got the rock 22 times and finished with 133 yards and a pair of majors. Sanvido’s status for this week is unknown.

It was Pawel Kruba who sparked the team last week with a 60-yard INT return for a TD to open the scoring. It was one of three INTs in the game for the Mustangs, who have a total of seven INTs this season with six of them coming against Windsor. The pick may have pumped up Kruba even more than usual. He led Western with nine tackles.

Lirim Hajrullahu hit both of his FG attempts, though the ‘Stangs did have a conversion attempt blocked.

Previous meeting: It was the game that changed Western’s season. In the fourth quarter Donnie Marshall would leave the game with an ankle injury, paving the way for Finch to enter the game and change the look of the Mustang offence for the rest of the season. With just 2:05 on the clock and the score 33-18, Finch got in for two series and went 6/8 for 142 yards and a TD, the ‘Stangs scored nine points making the final score a respectable 33-27. The best of the three QBs that day was Quinlan, who passed for 247 yards and rushed for 145 more. Sanvido led Western with 109 yards rushing and a pair of TDs. MAC’s defence had nine sacks on the afternoon. Over 10,000 watched the game at TD Waterhouse and it should be another big crowd at McMaster this time around.