Off to the Yates Cup

The 105th Yates Cup will be played on Nov. 10, 2012 at Ron Joyce Stadium between the defending champion McMaster Marauders and the Cinderella story Guelph Gryphons, a matchup that was decided by an exciting day of semi final action in the OUA.

In the first of two games on Saturday Nov. 3, the Gryphons sent the visiting Queen’s Gaels packing in a nail-biting 42-39 overtime victory. Freshman quarterback Jazz Lindsey continued to impress, marching his team up the field with his team down two scores in the fourth quarter. Guelph’s defense, which has been impressive all season, was able to hold the Gael’s attack to a field goal in overtime- setting up a game-winning Lindsey touchdown pass.

By the time that game had concluded, the second semi-final between McMaster and the Western Mustangs was already underway. The first half was a struggle for the Maroon and Grey, who were down by a score of 18-17 as the clock ticked down in the third quarter.

For the first time this season Mac was down in the second half and with their backs to the goal line. Kyle Quinlan took control of the game hitting a familiar target for the biggest play of the season. It was almost as if time had stopped for a moment when McMaster’s Michael DiCroce ran into the endzone, completing a 103 yard reception from a Quinlan pass.

Last year, an eerily similar play yielded an eerily similar result for Mac. During the 104th Yates Cup, with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, Quinlan threw one of the most memorable passes in program history: a 102 yard touchdown connection with none other than Michael DiCroce.  Mac won that game.

And it was that connection once again that would propel the Marauders to victory.

From that point, there would be no stopping the Marauders who won the game by a score of 42-28. DiCroce, in his first game of the season after suffering a broken foot during training camp, earned player of the game honors for his four receptions, 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Quinlan contributed a usually strong performance despite the slow start and running back Tanner Forsyth added two scores on the ground.

Ron Joyce was electric and even the fireworks from atop Heddon Hall could not drown out the noisy demonstration of just how much football means to this school. Winning has become a custom at McMaster, as this team has not lost a single football game since Sept. 10, 2011.

With their semi final win on Saturday the Marauders tied a CIS record for the most consecutive victories with 19, previously set by the Laval Rouge et Or in 2004-05.

The only thing standing between McMaster, that record and a second straight Yates Cup is the Guelph Gryphons. The last time these two teams played was the first game of the 2012 regular season. McMaster won 50-9.