Sophomore Vincent Campbell broke through the York Lions defence to lead the Ottawa Gee-Gees to a 46-16 win at Yorkβs homecoming game on Saturday afternoon. Yorkβs lone touchdown of the day came in the first quarter, while Ottawaβs Derek Wendel took over quarterback duties and threw for four majors.
Campbell started off the game with a series of big returns, forcing York to work around him for the remainder of the day. The Lachute, Que., native accumulated 177 total return yards, highlighted by a 45-yard touchdown at the start of the second quarter. Campbell also broke through for a 74-yard return in the fourth quarter and later scored the final touchdown of the day on a 41-yard reception.
Second-year quarterback Derek Wendel (Belleville, Ont.) did not start but replaced Aaron Colbon at the start of the second quarter and had an impressive outing. Wendel, who last saw significant action for the Gee-Gees in 2011βs matchup with York, posted a career-high 297 passing yards and four touchdowns before making way for rookie Victor Twynstra late in the fourth quarter.
Errol Brooks was the bright spot for the Lions, rushing for 199 yards in front of the homecoming crowd. Brooks, who ranks in the CIS top ten for rushing yards per game, also scored the lone major for the Lions, which came at 10:14 in the first quarter. The rookie back accounted for almost all of the Lionsβ 236 yards on the ground.
Held scoreless through the opening frame, Ottawa used the second quarter to build a 20-10 halftime lead. After Campbellβs return touchdown, the first of the season for Ottawa, kicker Lewis Ward added two field goals. Andrew Mullings scored his first of two touchdowns on the day on a six-yard strike just before half time, capping off an eight-play, 75-yard drive.
The Ottawa defence contributed two interceptions in the first half β the first by fifth-year safety Matt Bond and the second by fifth-year corner Ty Rusznak, who picked up ten yards on his return. The picks were the first for the Gee-Gees defence this season. Ottawa stifled the Lions through the air all day, allowing just 101 net passing yards.
Mullings, who led all receivers with 138 yards, struck again to widen the Ottawa lead to 27-13 in the third quarter, and following the third York field goal of the day at the 6:23 mark of the third, it was all Gee-Gees on the score sheet. First-year Nicolas Dagher caught his third touchdown pass of the season before Ward added his third field goal of the day.
Of note, the Gee-Gees had their least penalized game of the season with only 35 yards lost while York was pegged for 105 yards, several of which were no-yards flags on would-be Campbell returns.
The victory moves Ottawaβs record to 3-3, right in the middle of the pack in the OUA standings. The Gee-Gees will now return to Ottawa and host the Panda Game on Saturday, October 5 against the Carleton Ravens (0-5). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the rivalry game will be broadcast on Sportsnet 360 and Team 1200 in Ottawa.
Photo credit: Β Samantha Fischer
Source: Β Ottawa Gee-Gees Sports Information
University of Ottawa quarterback Derek Wendel’s four touchdown throws proved to be too much for the York University Lions football team on Saturday (Sept. 28), as the Gee-Gees spoiled York’s Homecoming with a 46-16 victory at York Stadium.
Wendel (Belleville, Ont.) finished the game 18-of-27 for 297 yards, including the four majors. He also picked up 14 yards on the ground on one carry. He and second-year wideout Andrew Mullings (Ottawa) combined for 138 yards through the air and two scores, propelling the Gee-Gees to victory.
York running backΒ Errol BrooksΒ (Toronto) had a field day on the ground for the Lions, refusing to be tackled on his way to 199 yards and one touchdown.
The Lions offence wasted no time, and on its second possession, and after a strong 23-yard return byΒ Damone WilliamsΒ (Mississauga, Ont.), they found the end zone. Brooks took the ball on three straight plays, including a stunning 25-yard sprint where he made every Ottawa defender miss. His run electrified the crowd, which erupted when he capped off the effort on a two-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
Connor PrittyΒ (Markham, Ont.) would keep the defence rolling, nabbing an interception with two minutes left in the quarter. But as the second quarter began, it was the Gee-Gees special teams that took over, as returner Vincent Campbell (Gatineau, Que.) returned a York punt 45 yards for a touchdown, making it 7-7.
Five minutes later, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward (Kingston, Ont.) took advantage of some York penalties and converted a 38-yard field goal to take the lead, 10-7.
York quarterbackΒ Myles GibbonΒ (Montreal) then began marching the team down the field. A beautiful strike toΒ Jason CharlandΒ (Quebec City) became bittersweet when a big hit by Ottawa popped the ball loose and into the hands of Ty Rusznak (Coquitlam, B.C.) for the interception that led to another Ward field goal.
The Lions responded with a field goal of their own, courtesy ofΒ Nick NaylorΒ (Abbotsford, B.C.) from 25 yards out, to cut the lead to 13-10 late in the first half. Brooks finished the opening 30 minutes with 110 yards on the ground.
The Gee-Gees put together one final drive before half-time when Wendel led them down the field and into the end zone, connecting again with Mullings. Ottawa would carry a 20-10 lead into the half.
Early in the second it looked as though the Lions would get back into it as Brooks stretched the defence and rounded the corner for a huge gain. But as he tiptoed the sideline into the end zone he was called out of bounds at the 10-yard line and the Lions were forced to settle for another Naylor field goal.
The Gee-Gees turned to their running game more at the start of the second half and Brendan Gillanders (Orleans, Ont.) doubled his first half rushing yardage on a big plunge up the middle for 33 yards. Wendel would once again find Mullings for the score, extending their lead to 27-13.
The Lions refused to concede, however, and Gibbon reenergized his team by calling his own number and using his feet to move the ball down the field. The strong York attack was stalled once again, however, and Naylor kicked his third field goal to cut the lead to 27-16.
That was as close as the Lions would get on the day, as the Gee-Gees Wendel threw another two touchdowns, to Nicolas Dagher (Beirut) late in the third and Campbell in the fourth, Ward kicked his third field goal of the game and the Gee-Gees picked up another two points on a York-conceded safety to put the Lions away.
Hussein HazimeΒ (Toronto) andΒ James TuckΒ (Aurora, Ont.) were standouts on defence for the Lions. Hazime finished with a game-high 8.5 tackles and Tuck accumulated 5.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The loss drops the Lions to 2-3 on the season, putting them into a three-way tie for sixth place in the OUA standings with four points. The win improves Ottawa’s record to 3-3, moving the Gee-Gees into sole possession of fifth place.
The Lions will look to bounce back from the loss on the road next weekend, when they travel to Guelph to face the Gryphons on Friday night (Oct. 4) at 7pm. The Lions return to York Stadium for their final home game, the 44thΒ annual Red & Blue Bowl against cross-town rival University of Toronto Varsity Blues, in a special Thursday night game under the lights at 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Photo credit: Β Foster Chan
Source: Β Ed Β Michel, York Lions Sports Information
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