KINGSTON, Ont. – Yann Dika-Balotoken (Toronto) had two interceptions for touchdowns as the No.2 Gaels (2-0) topped the No.6 Marauders (1-1) 31-24 in their home opener at Richardson Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Dika-Balotoken blew the game open in the third quarter, returning a deflected Marauders’ pass 99 yards to score, and put the Gaels up big in the fourth quarter when he returned another arrant pass 70 yards to the endzone.
After both teams struggled through a scoreless first quarter, the Gaels took an 11-7 lead into halftime thanks to a Doug Corby(Burlington, Ont.) fumble recovery in the endzone. The Gaels widened the margin in the second half, leading 31-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Marauders’ quarterback and Kingston native Marshall Ferguson threw for 446 yards, including two fourth quarter touchdown passes to make the game interesting and bring the Marauders to within one score 31-24.
McMaster failed to recover an onside kick however, and the Gaels shut down the Maruaders last-second lateral attempt to hold on for the win.
Billy McPhee (Burlington, Ont.) threw 114 yards and Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.) had nine rushes for 51 yards. On defence the Gaels were led by Dika-Balotoken with his two interceptions for touchdowns along with Justin Baronaitis (Rexdale, Ont.) who led the team with 10.5 tackles.
McMaster was led by Keldyn Ahlstedt who had eight tackles on the day including one for a loss.
The Gaels snapped their five game losing streak against McMaster dating back to 2009 and now sit at 2-0 on the season while the Marauders settle in at 1-1.
The 2-0 Gaels take on the 1-1 Windsor Lancers on Saturday at 1pm at Richardson Stadium while the Marauders hosts the Western Mustangs. Tickets are available online at www.gogaelsgo.com/tickets and the game can be seen live online just visit www.gogaelsgo.com/media for more information.
Source: Shawn MacDonald (Sports Information Officer)
It’s tough to win on the road in the OUA and the McMaster football team found that out as it dropped a tough 31-24 decision to the Queen’s Gael in Kingston on Labour Day. The loss end’s McMaster’s 19-game win streak against OUA competition, dating back to September 17, 2011.
It was a clash of top-ten teams with Queen’s ranked No. 2 in Canada, and the Marauders ranked 6th in the national rankings.
After a scoreless first quarter, Queen’s took leads of 11-7 at the half and 24-10 after three quarters, with McMaster being frustrated by turnovers and penalties throughout the game.
Trailing 31-10 in the fourth quarter, McMaster tried to come back as Marshall Ferguson threw scoring strikes to Mike DiCroce and Josh Vandeweerd to get back within a touchdown, but time ran out and Queen’s was able to hang on for the win.
Two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Gaels’ Yann Dika-Balotoken were the difference, as McMaster turned the ball over seven times on the day.
McMaster also got a 73-yard touchdown reception from Danny Vandervoort in the second quarter and a 15-yard field goal from Tyler Crapigna to complete the team’s scoring.
The Marauders dominated the stat sheet, out-gaining Queen’s with 495 net yards of total offense to 217 for the Gaels. But the turnovers and penalties that killed Marauder drives allowed Queen’s to secure the victory.
The Marauders now face another ranked opponent on Saturday, September 7 when the Western Mustangs visit Ron Joyce Stadium for a crucial contest. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo credit: Rick Zazulak
Source: Bill Malley, McMaster Marauders Sports Information
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