October 2, 2009
EAST MEETS WEST AS HAWKS HOST GEE-GEES ON UNIVERSITY RUSH
HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is back on The Score Television Network this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET as the No. 8 nationally-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (3-1) host the Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-2) on University Rush.
The Golden Hawks can expect to have a huge backing on Saturday, as Laurier's homecoming weekend celebrations will draw many students and fans to University Stadium in Waterloo, Ont. to give the team a huge confidence boost.
This weekend, the golden spotlight will be shining on third-year quarterback Evan Pawliuk (Kingston, Ont.). With Luke Thompson (London, Ont.) facing surgery after a season-ending ACL injury, the Hawks will look to the second-string QB to take the starting place.
"Going into the season, he was clearly our number two quarterback," Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries said of Pawliuk. "Luke struggled a little bit early on and certainly with [his] injury, it became Evan's opportunity and he really grasped it last week in Hamilton."
"We're thrilled with his progress and I think the kid can only get better as he gets more experienced."
Pawliuk got his first start as QB last week against the McMaster Marauders, completing 12 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. With some players finally breaking out of their shell, such as Mike Montoya (Burlington, Ont.) and Dillon Heap (Waterloo, Ont.), who collected 420 all-purpose yards against Mac, the Hawks' offence is sure to make a strong effort to their preserve their No. 8 national ranking.
On the flip side, the uOttawa Gee-Gees have fumbled their way through the first four weeks of the season, facing a couple of the OUA's tougher opponents.
"We've showed that we can run with anyone and we can be in a game with anyone but our consistency has hurt us, said uOttawa head coach Denis Piché. "We've got to put a 60-minute effort on all three sides of the ball together and we're hoping to do that sooner than later, sooner being this weekend."
Third-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.) has stepped up to fill the huge cleats left by Gee-Gees graduate Josh Sacobie, so far throwing at a shaky 52 per cent with 63 completions on 121 attempts, but achieving an impressive 947 yards, fourth-best in OUA. With nine sacks to his name already, Sinopoli has his work cut out for him. Defensively the Gee-Gees are strong with linebacker Mike Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.) and defensive tackle Sébastien Tétreault (Granby, Que.) leading the way.
Ottawa's big story this weekend is first-year running back Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.), and whether or not he'll take to the field for another performance like that of the Gee-Gees win against Waterloo on Sept. 12. The rookie RB rushed for 232 yards and two TDs in the game and now sits seventh in the country in rushing yards with 467 and three touchdowns.
"[His condition is] improving every day and he was running yesterday, catching the football, doing some stuff there," said Piché.
In the last six meetings between these two teams, Laurier has prevailed four times, taking last year's match in a close 22-21 win at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa in a game seen on The Score.
University Rush will take a brief sabbatical next weekend before returning to the airwaves on Sat., Oct. 17 when the No. 2 Western Mustangs (4-0) visit the No. 4 Queen's Gaels (4-0). Game time is 1 p.m. ET.
Play-by-play announcer and 2009 OUA Media Award winner Tim Micallef will call all the action on Saturday, and is be joined by former OUA and CFL star Mike Morreale who is back in the booth for his sophomore season. This game is presented by Wilson.
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.)
63 completions, 121 attempts, 947 yards, 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.)
56 attempts, 467 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana)
20 receptions, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.)
13 solo tackles, 0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries
James McNaughton (Newmarket, Ont.)
12 solo tackles, 0 sacks
Maxime Bédard (Granby, Que.)
11 solo tackles, 0 sacks
WILFRID LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Evan Pawliuk (Kingston, Ont.)
26 completions, 53 attempts, 473 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Mike Montoya (Burlington, Ont.)
79 attempts, 509 yards and 4 touchdowns
Receiving
Dillon Heap (Waterloo, Ont.)
12 receptions, 261 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Giancarlo Rapanaro (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
24.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss,1 interception
Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.)
20 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
Stephen Cormack (Waterloo, Ont.)
12.5 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 break ups
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
The Golden Hawks can expect to have a huge backing on Saturday, as Laurier's homecoming weekend celebrations will draw many students and fans to University Stadium in Waterloo, Ont. to give the team a huge confidence boost.
This weekend, the golden spotlight will be shining on third-year quarterback Evan Pawliuk (Kingston, Ont.). With Luke Thompson (London, Ont.) facing surgery after a season-ending ACL injury, the Hawks will look to the second-string QB to take the starting place.
"Going into the season, he was clearly our number two quarterback," Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries said of Pawliuk. "Luke struggled a little bit early on and certainly with [his] injury, it became Evan's opportunity and he really grasped it last week in Hamilton."
"We're thrilled with his progress and I think the kid can only get better as he gets more experienced."
Pawliuk got his first start as QB last week against the McMaster Marauders, completing 12 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. With some players finally breaking out of their shell, such as Mike Montoya (Burlington, Ont.) and Dillon Heap (Waterloo, Ont.), who collected 420 all-purpose yards against Mac, the Hawks' offence is sure to make a strong effort to their preserve their No. 8 national ranking.
On the flip side, the uOttawa Gee-Gees have fumbled their way through the first four weeks of the season, facing a couple of the OUA's tougher opponents.
"We've showed that we can run with anyone and we can be in a game with anyone but our consistency has hurt us, said uOttawa head coach Denis Piché. "We've got to put a 60-minute effort on all three sides of the ball together and we're hoping to do that sooner than later, sooner being this weekend."
Third-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.) has stepped up to fill the huge cleats left by Gee-Gees graduate Josh Sacobie, so far throwing at a shaky 52 per cent with 63 completions on 121 attempts, but achieving an impressive 947 yards, fourth-best in OUA. With nine sacks to his name already, Sinopoli has his work cut out for him. Defensively the Gee-Gees are strong with linebacker Mike Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.) and defensive tackle Sébastien Tétreault (Granby, Que.) leading the way.
Ottawa's big story this weekend is first-year running back Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.), and whether or not he'll take to the field for another performance like that of the Gee-Gees win against Waterloo on Sept. 12. The rookie RB rushed for 232 yards and two TDs in the game and now sits seventh in the country in rushing yards with 467 and three touchdowns.
"[His condition is] improving every day and he was running yesterday, catching the football, doing some stuff there," said Piché.
In the last six meetings between these two teams, Laurier has prevailed four times, taking last year's match in a close 22-21 win at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa in a game seen on The Score.
University Rush will take a brief sabbatical next weekend before returning to the airwaves on Sat., Oct. 17 when the No. 2 Western Mustangs (4-0) visit the No. 4 Queen's Gaels (4-0). Game time is 1 p.m. ET.
Play-by-play announcer and 2009 OUA Media Award winner Tim Micallef will call all the action on Saturday, and is be joined by former OUA and CFL star Mike Morreale who is back in the booth for his sophomore season. This game is presented by Wilson.
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.)
63 completions, 121 attempts, 947 yards, 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.)
56 attempts, 467 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana)
20 receptions, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.)
13 solo tackles, 0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries
James McNaughton (Newmarket, Ont.)
12 solo tackles, 0 sacks
Maxime Bédard (Granby, Que.)
11 solo tackles, 0 sacks
WILFRID LAURIER LEADERS
Passing
Evan Pawliuk (Kingston, Ont.)
26 completions, 53 attempts, 473 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
Rushing
Mike Montoya (Burlington, Ont.)
79 attempts, 509 yards and 4 touchdowns
Receiving
Dillon Heap (Waterloo, Ont.)
12 receptions, 261 yards, 1 touchdown
Defence
Giancarlo Rapanaro (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
24.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss,1 interception
Mitchell Bosch (Langley, B.C.)
20 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
Stephen Cormack (Waterloo, Ont.)
12.5 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 break ups
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
