Playoff preview: Mauraders host Gaels in Yates semi-final game

HAMILTON, Ont. – University Rush heads to Hamilton on Saturday, November 5 to catch part two of the semifinal doubleheader as the nationally-ranked No. 4 McMaster Marauders host the No. 8 Queen’s Gaels, live on The Score. The second game starts at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast directly following the 1 p.m. Windsor at Western semifinal.

Last weekend, the Queen’s Gaels eliminated Laurier from the playoffs. The game was a back and forth battle and scores were few and far between, but when the clock ran out, the Gaels came away with a 14-10 win. Leading rusher Ryan Granberg (Sherwood Park, Alta.) had the lone touchdown of the game on a one yard rush. Dan Village (Abbottsford, B.C.) went two for four on field goals and added a rouge. However it wasn’t just the usual Gaels suspects providing the scoring touch. Rookie quarterback Ryan Mitchell (Toronto) stepped in for an injured Billy McPhee (Burlington, Ont.) and exceeded all expectations. Mitchell threw for 272 yards on 23 completions, without any interceptions.

Head Coach Pat Sheahan was pleased with his team’s performance. “I thought we played with tremendous character, we were undermanned on the depth chart and kids certainly stepped up.”

The Gaels seven game winning streak has been impressive, but hard on the team physically. Despite the obvious absences from the lineup, Head Coach Pat Sheahan is confident in his team’s depth coming into semifinal weekend.

The McMaster Marauders, due to their second-place finish, were granted a bye and took the week to focus on the challenge ahead. Like Queen’s, McMaster is undefeated since week two of the schedule and it remains to be seen what a week off will mean for the Marauder’s momentum.

“It’s the first time we’ve had it, we desperately wanted it, but we’ll see how we come out of it,” said Marauder Head Coach Ptaszek, when asked about the value of the bye. “We’ve had more time to prep than we had all year and hopefully that reflects in how we come out.”

The Marauders will have to come out strong, as the Gaels they face on Saturday are a far cry from the Queen’s squad they defeated 26-2 in week one. Queen’s boasts the league’s stingiest defence and haven’t allowed a single rushing touchdown all season. Leading the Gaels’ defence is fifth-year lineman Osie Ukwuoma (Mississauga, Ont.). Ukwuoma posted 27 tackles and six sacks in the regular season. His size, power and experience will be important factors in shutting down the Marauders.

McMaster’s offence, led by quarterback Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.), is one of the most dangerous units in the country. Quinlan averaged over 340 passing yards per game and he has a number of dangerous receiving targets at his passing disposal. Michael DiCroce (Hamilton, Ont.) is Quinlan’s favourite target, amassing 904 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season.

Both coaches are well aware of the opposing team’s strengths. When asked about keys to winning Saturday’s match-up, Coach Sheahan was quick to identify the Marauders passing game. “It’s a very complete offence, they really stretch you out. We can’t stop them, we just need to slow it down. When they get on a roll they can take over. We have to hope for the best, get some people in Quinlan’s face, and hope to confuse him.”

Coach Ptaszek, on the other hand, is weary of Queen’s defence, and knows that capitalizing on obvious scoring opportunities will be make-or-break for his football team. “On the defensive side they were the best front six we faced, and we struggled in the score zone and didn’t finish a lot of drives against them,” Ptaszek said, commenting on the last time the teams met. “We need to capitalize when we have them in the red zone.”

Tactics aside, this is a rivalry that has built up in intensity in recent years as 2011 is the third straight season that McMaster and Queen’s have met in the postseason, with the Gaels winning 32-6 at home in 2009 on their way to a Vanier Cup title, and the Marauders coming out on top 40-19 in 2010 in an OUA quarterfinal played in Hamilton.

“Our guys are tremendously motivated for Saturday,” said Coach Sheahan. “Last year at Ron Joyce was not our finest hour. We’re going to come down and compete and it’s an altogether different feeling here this year.”

In addition to the bye, second place bought the Marauders home-field advantage, and the team will be looking to their notoriously vocal fans for support and encouragement. “We’re hoping for a sold out show and certainly that thirteenth man helps you out,” said Coach Ptaszek, acknowledging McMaster fans. “We know this facility, and having the familiarity and support of our faithful will hopefully make a difference.”

Watch live on The Score as No. 8 Queen’s travels to Hamilton to take on the No. 4 McMaster Marauders in a must-win, must-see, semifinal at 4:30 p.m.

QUEEN’S REGULAR SEASON STATS

PASSING

Billy McPhee (Burlington, Ont.)
108 completions, 213 attempts, 1,660 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7 interceptions

RUSHING

Ryan Granberg (Sherwood Park, Alta.)
1,068 yards, 9 touchdowns

RECEIVING

Giovanni Aprile (Toronto, Ont.)
31 receptions, 594 yards, 4 touchdowns

Justin Chapdelaine (Abbotsford, B.C.)
30 receptions, 524 yards, 2 touchdowns

DEFENCE

Osie Ukwuoma (Mississauga, Ont.)
27 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 6 sacks, 12 tackles for loss

Sam Sabourin (Stittsville, Ont.)
27 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss

Matt Webster (Calgary, Alta.)
25 solo tackles

MCMASTER REGULAR SEASON STATS

PASSING

Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.)
99 completions, 153 attempts, 1,708 yards, 13 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Marshall Ferguson (Kingston, Ont.)
67 completions, 98 attempts, 901 yards, 8 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

RUSHING

Christopher Pezzetta (Burlington, Ont.)
468 yards, 5 touchdowns

Joey Nemet (Burlington, Ont.)
315 yards

RECEIVING

Michael DiCroce (Hamilton, Ont.)
48 receptions, 904 yards, 6 touchdowns

Matt Peressini (Ancaster, Ont.)
36 receptions, 436 yards, 8 touchdowns

DEFENCE

Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.)
38 solo tackles, 4 sacks, 7 tackles for loss

Nick Shorthill (Nobleton, Ont.)
34 total tackles, 1 interception

Steven Ventresca (Hamilton, Ont.)
28.5 total tackles, 4 interceptions 1 forced fumble