It certainly, wasnβt the start Ottawa Sooners Head Coach Matt Murfitt was hoping for.
On a perfect night at Keith Harris Stadium, the Sooners dropped a 18-10the St. Leonard Cougars. The Sooners took a 10-4 lead into the fourth quarter before the Cougars put it away with a pair of touchdowns.
It was an evening of undisciplined play for both clubs, likely overexcited by opening night. After St. Leonard took two major fouls on the same play, the Sooners got the ball first and goal on the Cougars’ 1. They came away with nothing, taking their own major foul on the first play from the 1 then pounding a chip shot field goal try off the left upright a moment later as the first half expired.
The Sooners took another costly major foul in the fourth quarter – a second down roughing the passer call at midfield. That kept a Cougars drive alive and they scored the winning touchdown moments later. St. Leonard settled down and seemed to control the game from there.
Ottawa’s offence generally sputtered most of the evening with both quarterbacks – Graham Kelly and Matt Lavasseur – seeing plenty of action. The Sooners’ only TD came on a pick 6 from the defence. Defensive back Cody Valle stepped in front of a pass to the sideline and took it 55 yards for a major. St. Leonard produced a similar scoring play earlier in the game but it was wiped out by a pass interference call.
Sooner fans were able to get their first look at the new stands at Keith Harris Stadium. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to actually sit in them. The seating has been completely finished for some time but the city has not yet signed off on the Carleton University construction. Two workers sat in the top row all night, preventing people from using the new grandstand. Fans were accommodated with temporary seating on the opposite side of the field.
The Sooners’ next game is this Saturday vs Windsor at Keith Harris Stadium. Game time is 7pm.
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