100th YATES CUP CHAMPIONSHIP ON UNIVERSITY RUSH

HAMILTON, Ont. – Looking back to September 22, 2007, which saw the Western Mustangs start their 2007 campaign 0-4, and the Guelph Gryphons sitting at 2-2, would critics and fans alike have predicted the 100th Yates Cup match-up heading into this weekend. This Saturday the No. 6 seeded Western Mustangs will travel to Guelph, to take on the No. 5 seeded Guelph Gryphons in the 100th edition of the Yates Cup Championship, presented by Pioneer Petroleums on University Rush. The Score television network will kick off the 100th Yates Cup Championship with a 30 minute pre-game show at 12:30 pm, followed by the championship game at 1:00 pm.

Since 2001, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football has seen six teams earn berths into the playoffs. Never before has a No. 5 seed taken on a No. 6 seed for the championship. “It’s very exciting to be hosting the 100th Yates Cup at the University of Guelph,” commented Gryphon’s Head Coach Kyle Walters. “This is a unique situation in which we had to win two road games in order to get a home playoff game,” added Walters. “The OUA was very competitive this year. The six playoff teams had very close games throughout the year so it should not be a real big surprise that the fifth and sixth seeds advanced.”

Both teams are coming off come from behind victories over heavy favourites in the No. 1 seeded Ottawa Gee-Gees and No.2 seeded Laurier Golden Hawks. “I don’t think there is an underdog in this game,” said Western Mustang Head Coach Greg Marshall. “I think we’re pretty evenly matched. If there is an advantage it’s that they’re at home on and on grass, they might have a slight advantage being used to that. We’re not nervous and we’ve got a pretty good shot to win this game.”

The Mustangs are coming off of a 23-16 defeat against the Ottawa Gee-Gees in their semi final match-up. Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, ON) finished the game with 17 completions on 35 attempts for 318 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Randy McAuley will be looking to be a dominant offensive threat as he was held to just 10 rushing yards against the Gee-Gees. “Western has won a playoff game by running the ball with McCauly for close to 200 yards and they have won the other game by Faulds throwing for 300 yards. They have the ability to beat you on the ground or through the air which makes Western a very difficult opponent to prepare for,” said Coach Walters.

Defensively, Western will look to veteran fifth year defensive back Nick Kordic (Toronto, ON) to lead the way. Kordic leads the Western defence against a tough Gee-Gees team, registering six solo tackles and one assisted tackle on the day. “Our defence is coming off solid performances against Ottawa and Queen’s, the front seven have played well against the run and the secondary has been good in coverage and overall the team defence has created turnovers,” commented Marshall. “The key in this game is to limit turnovers. It’s going to come down to who does that the best. We turned the ball over several times in our last game at Guelph and we cannot afford to do that this time around.”

The Gryphons will again be turning to their one-two offensive punch of Justin Dunk (Guelph, ON) and Nick Fitzgibbon (Puslinch, ON). Dunk is coming off of a 12 for 22, 211 yards, three touchdown and one interception performance against the Golden Hawks, while Fitzgibbon may have played his best game of the 2007 season against a tough Laurier squad. Fitzgibbon finished the day with 110 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, while he had 64 yards and three touchdowns in the air. “The key to our offense is Justin and Nick Fitzgibbon. They had big games last week and will be counted on again to get the offense moving versus Western,” said Coach Walters when asked about his offensive stars.

On defense Guelph will again look to second year linebacker Adam Dunk (Guelph, ON) brother of Justin Dunk. Adam finished his semi final match up with 11 solo tackles against a tough Laurier offence.

With a weather forecast in Guelph for a high of six degrees and a low of minus one, it could be a chilly affaire for the two teams. “We have to be prepared for the weather conditions to play in anything. That will have a factor on the style of offence we play. We have to be prepared for whatever weather we’re going to get,” said Coach Marshall. “The key to this game, the team that’s successful will be whoever controls the football. It’s definitely about ball control.”

Tickets for the 100th Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer Petroleums are available through the Guelph Gryphons box office by visiting http://www.athletics.uoguelph.ca/boxoffice/boxoffice.html. Adults $20.00, Student $15.00, and Children 3-11 $5.00.

Guelph Regular Season Leaders

Passing
Justin Dunk – 133 completions, 251 attempts, 1811 yards, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Rushing
Nick Fitzgibbon – 129 rushes, 794 yards, 5 touchdowns

Receiving
David Harrison – 25 catches, 421 yards, 3 touchdowns
Nick Fitzgibbon- 32 catches, 376 yards, 8 touchdowns

Defence
Chris Decker – 37 solo tackles, 22 assisted tackles, 1 sack
Taggart Russell – 35 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, 1 sacks, 1 interceptions

Western Regular Season Leaders

Passing
Michael Faulds – 172 completions, 289 attempts, 2292 yards, 7 touchdowns, 15 interceptions

Rushing
Randy McAuley – 178 rushes, 1017 yards, 13 touchdowns

Receiving
Jesse Bellamy – 35 catches, 575 yards, 1 touchdown

Defence
Corey McNair – 40 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
John Surla – 37 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackle, 1 sack, 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