Western faces Windsor in playoff rematch

After defeating the Queen’s Gaels 50-31 in Western’s sold-out Homecoming game last weekend for their sixth consecutive win of the season, the Mustangs will be taking to the road this Saturday, October 5 to face the Windsor Lancers.

The undefeated Mustangs hold the top spot in the OUA standings and for the first time since 2011 are the ranked as the nation’s top team in the latest CIS Top 10. Currently holding a record of 6-0, the Mustangs will be looking for a perfect 2013 campaign as only two games remain in the regular season. The Lancers head into Saturday’s match-up with a 4-2 record on the year so far, and sit in fourth place in the OUA standings.

Second-year quarterback Will Finch has been leading the Mustangs offence this season after emerging as one of the nation’s top passers, throwing for 2,138 yards with 16 touchdowns. In last Saturday’s win the Burlington native threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while also executing an impressive game on the ground running for 114 yards and recording one rushing touchdown. Mustangs running backs Adam Sinclair and Yannick Harou also displayed their talent on Western’s home turf against the Gaels as Sinclair racked up both a rushing and receiving touchdown and Harou steped in for an injured Garret Sanvido to post one Mustangs touchdown and rack up 153 yards on 28 attempts, leading all rushers.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mustangs were led by defensive back Malcolm Brown and linebacker Pawel Kruba who each racked up seven tackles, while linebacker Preston Huggins had the defensive highlight of the game after picking off a pass and taking it back 54 yards for his first career touchdown in the Homecoming triumph.

In the midst of other Homecoming celebrations last weekend, the Lancers travelled to Laurier’s University Stadium in Waterloo to face off against the Golden Hawks in front of their own Homecoming crowd of 8,114. Despite a back and forth game, the Lancers recorded their fourth victory of the season when they finished with a tight 26-25 overtime victory over the Hawks.

Leading the Lancers offence last Saturday was fifth-year running back Mitch Dender as he rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Dender also added two receptions for 31 yards and a score through the air. Lancer’s quarterback Austin Kennedy was visibly working through the pain of a knee injury but was still able to finish the game 16-of-24 for 189 yards and two touchdowns to help contribute to the team’s one point victory over the Hawks.

Spurring some of the tension heading to Saturday’s matchup between the Mustangs and the Lancers is their history. Last season the Mustangs blocked the Lancers’ road to the Yates Cup final after defeating Windsor 56-35 in an OUA quarterfinal game to knock them out of the playoffs. Last year’s matchup between the two teams saw Matt Uren haul in four touchdowns, while racking 403 total yards on the game. In addition, Finch made his first playoff debut in the game, completing 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. On defence, linebacker Pawel Kruba recorded nine tackles and picked off a pass from Lancer’s quarterback Kennedy, returning it 60 yards for a Western touchdown.

With some familiar veteran faces gearing up on the gridiron for the first time since last year’s quarterfinal game, there is no doubt that the Lancers will be out for revenge and looking to prove themselves as a strong opposing force for the Mustangs as the 2013 playoff season approaches.

Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Windsor, Ont. Fans can listen live on 94.9 CHRW Radio or on NewsTalk 1290 CJBK with Tom McConnell and legendary coach Larry Haylor calling all the action.

Photo credit:  Corey Sanford

Source:  Serena Quinn, Western Mustangs Sports Information