GOLDEN GAELS TRY FOR 4-0, WINDSOR TRIES TO REBOUND ON UNIVERSITY RUSH

HAMILTON, Ont. - As week four of the Ontario University Athletics football season gets underway playoff berths are already at stake. The No.8 Queen’s Golden Gaels (3-0) have taken the OUA by storm as they have started the season undefeated to date. With a win this weekend they can equal their total from 2006, where they finished with a 4-4 regular season record. The Golden Gaels will travel to Windsor this Saturday to take on the Lancers (1-2) who will be looking to rebound after the come from behind victory of the Waterloo Warriors in last week’s action. For the second week of the 2007 University Rush season, The Score Television Network will broadcast the game under the lights with a 7:00pm kick-off presented by RCA.

Saturday could prove to be a game which will go down in OUA football history, as Windsor running back Daryl Stephenson (London, Ont.) is just 168 yards away from surpassing former McMaster Marauder and current Hamilton Tiger-Cat; Jesse Lumsden in career rushing yards. Yet for the 2006 Hec Crighton winner and his Lancers, winning will be the focal point of Saturday’s match-up. “It is not a primary area of focus right now,” stated Windsor head coach Mike Morencie. “As a team we are much more concerned with getting back on the winning track. If Daryl gets the record while we accomplish a win then that is great. We will never sacrifice team goals for individual goals.”

Pat Sheahan of the Queen’s Golden Gaels will unquestionably be keeping Stephenson on his radar against the Lancers. "Daryl is definitely a premier back and certainly his pursuit of the record will add to an already tough atmosphere for us to play in,” said coach Sheahan. “Certainly as a team we would like to hold off the party for him for at least a week but with Daryl and our running back Mike Giffen, the running game will be on display Saturday night."

The Golden Gaels have proven that they are tough competitors in this 2007 season. All three victories to date have been come from behind battles to steal the win from their opposition late in the game. They have established that no lead is safe, as they have the skill and drive to finish in the fourth quarter. "I think we knew we had the pieces in place to contend in the OUA but with how the schedule set up for us in the first few weeks I think there is no question 3-0 exactly what the doctor ordered,” commented Golden Gaels head coach Pat Sheahan.

"Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.), Rob Bagg (Kingston, Ont.) and Danny Brannagan (Burlington, Ont.) are having solid seasons so far which is not a surprise considering how hard they worked in the off season. Mike's first three weeks have been outstanding because he seems to get stronger as the game goes on and is relishing as the offensive line wears down defences over four quarters."

"We have a couple of our key offensive line recruits Dylan Labrech (Wellington, Ont.) and Matt O'Donnell (Kingston, Ont.) who have come along nicely and will see more time now that Colin Boyle (Ottawa, Ont.) our right tackle is out for at least the rest of the regular season," noted Coach Sheahan.

With a 23-0 lead after the first half last Saturday, the Windsor Lancers allowed the Waterloo Warriors toclimb back, and steal the win in the dying seconds of the contest 26-23. “It is imperative that we have a great week of practice,” said Lancer head coach Mike Morencie. “We need to learn only what is necessary from the Waterloo loss and then put it behind us. We spent Monday on the Waterloo game and then quickly changed gears to Queen's.”

“Queen's is a very difficult team to prepare for. They are extremely well-coached and make few errors,” commented Coach Morencie. They will come in with a very specific mode of attack and adjust as necessary off that. I am sure they are going to try and minimize Daryl's effect on the game and go from there.”

The key offensive trio of quarterback Dan Lumley (Windsor, Ont.), running back Daryl Stephenson, and receiver Glenn MacKay (Ancaster, Ont.) will need to lead the way for the Lancer offense this Saturday. “All three have to be performing at top efficiency for us to be successful as an offensive unit,” stated Morencie. “If the running game is clicking it opens up the pass and if teams are determined to stop the pass then the running game opens up.”

With playoff berths already riding on this game only half way into the season, this will be a game to watch as the Golden Gales look to remain undefeated, while the Lancers look to stay in the playoff hunt.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, doors open at 5:30pm at the University of Windsor Stadium. Gold Section $12.00, General Admission $8.00, Youth (12 and under) $5.00.

Queen’s Leaders

Passing
Danny Brannagan – 42 completions, 87 attempts, 656 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interceptions

Rushing
Mike Giffen – 69 rushes, 386 yards, 4 touchdowns

Receiving
Rob Bagg- 17 catches, 210 yards, 1 touchdown

Defence
Thaine Carter - 17 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles
Chris Smith – 16 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 sack

Windsor Leaders

Passing
Dan Lumley – 18 completions, 34 attempts, 252 yards, 1 touchdown, zero interceptions
Jorel Petree – 9 completions, 20 attempts, 118 yards, 1 touchdown, zero interceptions

Rushing
Daryl Stephenson – 55 rushes, 353 yards, 2 touchdowns

Receiving
Glenn MacKay – 10 catches, 153 yards, 1 touchdown

Defence
Kyle Boutettte – 17 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 1 sack
Colin Dixon – 15 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 1 interception

- OUA -

Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics

Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca