Thursday, October 22nd 2009

By unknown

DAVID KOOTS

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The McMaster Marauders, ranked tenth in the country, travelled to Windsor on the weekend to face the Lancers in their final regular season road game of the year. In one of the OUA’s strangest regular season games, Mac outlasted Windsor 15-14 in overtime Saturday night in a chilly affair. The Marauders will now close out the season at home against the 3-4 Guelph Gryphons on Saturday as part of Homecoming week.

After four full quarters, the game stood tied 14-14 and so overtime was required to settle the score. CIS football employs an overtime shootout format in which both teams get the ball at their opponents 35 yard line and have one possession to score the most points they can with the second team attempting to match or better the point total put up during the first teams possession. Windsor had first shot but on the very first overtime play, defensive back Michael Daly (Kitchener, ON) intercepted the ball and ended Windsor’s possession. The Marauders then drove the ball deep into Windsor territory before electing to kick a field goal, rather than the traditional punt through the end zone for the rouge. In the game’s final play, Andy Waugh (Perth, ON) had his 14-yard field goal attempt blocked by the Lancers. The ball carried into the end zone, before being picked up by a Lancer player and returned all the way for a Windsor touchdown that would have won the game. But the play was called back as an illegal block had been made before the ball was carried out of the end zone, so by rule McMaster was awarded a single point, enough to win the game.

The Marauders put up plenty of yards on offence but because of numerous turnovers and penalties the yards did not translate into points. Quarterback Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, ON) went 11 for 23 with 154 yards passing, one touchdown and three interceptions, but it was the running game that was responsible for the majority of Mac’s yards. Joey Nemet (Burlington, ON) had his best game of the season, rushing for 164 yards on 23 carries while Jordan Kozina (Brantford, ON) added another 116 yards and a rushing touchdown. Matt Peressini (Hannon, ON) led the receiving corps and had 61 yards on five catches, including the Marauders’ other touchdown.

McMaster did not look like the crisp team that beat Western two weeks ago and seemed to lose focus at times. Coming into the game the Marauders were one of the OUA’s least penalized teams but on Saturday they committed 21 penalties for 170 yards. Another problem for the Marauders on Saturday night was the six turnovers given up by the team, more than any other game this year. Aside from Quinlan’s three interceptions, Mac put the ball on the turf four times with three of them being recovered by Windsor. In the end, McMaster did just enough to beat a weaker Windsor team, but they did not look impressive in the victory.

With the win, the Marauders are now 5-2 on the season with one game remaining, as are the Western Mustangs, Ottawa Gee-Gees and Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. As a result, the final weekend in the season will determine the order of teams two to five. Regardless of the weekend’s outcomes, the Queens Gaels will finish first and will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs while Guelph will likely finish in the sixth and final playoff spot unless a remarkable series of events occur. However, 17 scenarios are possible that can see the middle four teams sorted out. Of these 17, three exist which would find the Marauders in second and having a first round playoff bye before hosting a home playoff game. The simplest is if Mac wins and the other three lose then the Marauders take second outright. But with the Mustangs playing Toronto (1-6) and Ottawa playing Windsor (2-5), it seems unlikely both teams will suffer late season upsets. But if even one of the two loses Mac should still get second place, barring a blowout by Ottawa. Of the remaining 14 scenarios, four see Mac finishing in fifth place and losing out on hosting a home playoff game.

The advantages of a home playoff game are enormous, which puts added incentive for Mac to win against Guelph on Saturday and all but guaranteeing a home postseason tilt. The Gryphons have had an up-and-down season, nearly beating both Western and first placed Queens. Guelph will be looking to play spoiler and despite their losing record on the season, they are among the very best in the OUA. The game is at 1 p.m. and should be the highlight of Homecoming weekend so get your tickets early and show the Marauders they have McMaster’s support.

Tags: football