Western torches the Gees defence in 44-point victory
Photo: Marta Kierkus
It’s been a rough few weeks for the men in garnet and grey. Following an embarrassing loss to Laurier a week prior, the Gee-Gees traveled to London to battle with the powerhouse Western Mustangs.
The expectations were low going into the game and despite the team putting up a somewhat valiant effort in the first half, they couldn’t hold off the Mustangs.
The Gee-Gees fall to 2-5 on the season after the 63-19 loss. Quarterback Derek Wendel tallied 277 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns, his lowest totals of the year. The defence was unable to slow a balanced attack from Western as they racked up a staggering 707 offensive yards.
Western’s QB Will Finch didn’t have an impressive day, with only 163 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. On the other hand, the Mustangs’ ground attack was potent with their combination of running backs Alex Taylor and Yannik Harou totaling 335 yards and six touchdowns.
The Gees have regressed in the win column to the same point they were at during their nightmare 2012 year. It’s not that the team can’t win—it’s just that they don’t think they can.
Following the heartbreaking loss against Carleton in the Panda Game, the Gee-Gees’ season has fallen off the rails. Head coach Jamie Barresi told Sports Services about the impact one decision of not trying for a two-point conversion could have had for his team.
“I take more frustration out of my performance. Had I gone for two at the end of the first overtime, the game would have been over and we’d have been in a different mindset right now.”
The mindset that is ruling the Gee-Gees is one that will not help them get anywhere in the remaining week of the season. Luckily the Gees still have the power to close the season on a good note and add to the win column for the first time since mid-September.
The 2-5 Toronto Varsity Blues are traveling to Ottawa feeling similar to the Gee-Gees. However, with a win and a Laurier loss either of the team’s could sneak into the playoffs.
Expecting a battle, the Garnet and Grey will need to muscle up and bring some of the energy and execution from earlier in the season to pull off a win. In a final fight for life in the playoffs, it will say a lot about the team.
If anything the game is a test that will determine if there is any fight left in a deflated team, or if the rest of the league will just keep beating a dead horse.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 24 at Gee-Gees Field.
