The Gee-Gees expected a test in their opening game of the 2013 OUA regular season, and the result was a 51-24 loss at the hands of the McMaster Marauders. Ottawa struck for sixteen points at the end of the first half to threaten the defending Yates Cup champions, but were unable to keep their offence rolling into the second half.
Third-year receiver Ian Stewart had a solid game, leading the team with 89 yards on ten catches including two touchdowns during the scoring run to bring Ottawa to a 21-16 halftime deficit.
In response, the experienced Marauders capitalized on three key turnovers – a bad snap on punt attempt, a fumbled punt return, and an early second-half interception – to keep the Gee-Gees at bay. Nikolas Dagher added a late 25-yard touchdown as the only Ottawa scoring in the second half, while Brendan Gillanders corralled the two-point conversion pass attempt.
Ottawa did hold the edge in sacks, bringing down Marshall Ferguson four times while Aaron Colbon was well-protected in the pocket for most of the day and was brought down only once.
Colbon had to scramble on occasion though, and was the team’s leading rusher on the day with 88 yards on eight attempts. The Marauders consistently closed the door on the Gee-Gees ground game from scrimmage, illustrated best by Brendan Gillanders’ longest run of the day going only five yards.
McMaster claimed a 21-0 lead before Ottawa’s offence responded with a 35-yard field goal by Lewis Ward with 2:40 left in the second quarter to break the ice.
Tyler Crapigna made good on 3 of 4 field goal attempts for the Marauders, and running back Jimmy Hill posted 104 yards rushing to keep the Gee-Gees’ defence off-balance. McMaster’s All-Canadian receiver Michael DiCroce was also dangerous, collecting 102 yards and one touchdown.
Senior linebacker Julien Campbell forced two fumbles for Ottawa and tied with rookie Ty Cranston for the team lead with six tackles, and third-year Ettore Lattanzio earned two sacks.
The Gee-Gees will regroup in Ottawa this week before travelling back down the 401 to face the Waterloo Warriors on Monday, September 2. The Warriors also lost their week one match-up, suffering a 78-11 loss at Windsor.
Photo credit: Richard Whittaker
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