Queen’s looks for first win against Golden Hawks

The Queen’s Gaels (0-2) have yet to find their rhythm in a young OUA football season. After a tough 19-6 loss on the road against the Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-0), the Gaels will return to Richardson Stadium this Saturday to face the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (1-1).

The game is the 14th matchup between the Gaels and the Golden Hawks since their first meeting in 1968. The Golden Hawks lead the series with an all-time record of 7-6-0 over the Gaels. This will be Laurier’s first trip to Richardson Stadium since 2008 when the Gaels won by a 41-7 score during their undefeated regular season.

The Gaels had difficulty moving the ball in the first half against Ottawa before finding more success in the second half. Despite moving the ball effectively, the Gaels could not find the end-zone on the road and had to settle for a 47-yard field goal and a single in the first half by Dan Village of Abbotsford, B.C., for their offensive output.

Billy McPhee of Burlington, Ont. looked more comfortable in his second game as a starter as he completed 20 passes for 208 yards. Giovanni Aprile of Toronto had a solid 2011 debut with 53 yards receiving on four receptions. Chris Patrician, also of Toronto, was a reliable target for McPhee as he had 43 yards receiving on five catches which included two third down conversions.

On defence, the Gaels had a solid showing once again. Stephen Laporte of Ottawa was the leading tackler for the Gaels with 6.5 tackles – five solo, three assisted – and broke up a pair of passes. Toronto’s Derek Wiggan was disruptive on the defensive line and was a tough matchup for the Gee-Gees with his run stopping and pass rush. Ben D’Andrea of Calgary was a stalwart in the defensive secondary with four solo tackles and solid pass coverage.

The Golden Hawks got their season off to a quick start in week one with a 46-7 win over the York Lions on the road. However, they were left disappointed after their home opener as they were upset in Waterloo by the visiting Windsor Lancers (1-1). Running back Anton Bennett of Toronto led the way for the Golden Hawks with 132 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries while Shane Kelly of Basking Ridge, N.J., USA, threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Defensively, former starting quarterback Luke Thompson of London, Ont. was their top performer with seven solo tackles from the defensive backfield.

In their last meeting the Golden Hawks used an explosive second quarter to top the Gaels by a 44-23 score. Laurier scored six touchdowns and a single during the second quarter to overcome an early Gaels lead. Former running back Jimmy Therrien of Montreal, Justin Chapdelaine of Abbotsford, B.C. and McPhee all had rushing touchdowns in the loss for the Gaels.

Saturday’s game marks the first time Golden Hawks receiver Mark Surya of Burlington, Ont. returns to Kingston since he was a member of the Gaels’ 2009 Vanier Cup championship team. Surya caught the winning touchdown on a 24 yard pass from fellow Burlington native Danny Brannagan during the 2009 Mitchell Bowl and went on to win the Vanier Cup one week later with the Gaels.

Kickoff between the Gaels and Golden Hawks is scheduled for 1:00 pm at Richardson Stadium.

Photo: Jeff Chan

Laurier at Queen’s, 1 pm EDT

Source: Queen’s Sports Info

NOTES:
The highest point total every recorded by the Gaels against the Golden Hawks is 42 in 1968 under legendary coach Frank Tindall… The highest point total ever conceded by a Gaels team against the Golden Hawks is 67 (2000)… 11 of the 13 meetings between these two teams have occurred since the year 2000… Dee Sterling set a Gaels single game record with 5.5 sacks against the Golden Hawks on September 13, 2008…James MacLean tied a Gaels record for receptions with 13 on October 27, 2001 against the Golden Hawks; he recorded 253 yards receiving during that game… Jimmy Therrien set a Gaels record for punt returns with 12 on September 13, 2008 against the Golden Hawks… Dan Village’s 47 yard field goal against Ottawa was three yards shy of his person best (50)… Chris Patrician had career highs for catches (5) and yards (43) against Ottawa… Billy McPhee’s 208 yards passing against Ottawa were a career high and the first time he surpassed 200 yards passing in his nine games.