THE GEES NEARLY UPSET THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE NATION, BUT FELL SHORT, UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE LATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
Not a cloud in the sky on Saturday afternoon at the Gee-Gees field when the U of O, third-ranked in the OUA, battled it out against the number-one team in the nation, the Laurier Golden Hawks.
The game was marked by the best offensive display of the season from both sides, but the Golden Hawks prevailed as their first-half lead of 30-11 was too much to overcome. Despite keeping the Golden Hawks scoreless in the second half, the Gees could not capitalize on their final three plays in the Laurier red-zone. In an upsetting loss for the Gee-Gees, the Golden Hawks took the game 30-24.
Just four minutes into the first quarter, the Gees would force a punt from the Golden Hawks, setting the tone early on. Starting inside the Gees end zone, they would get tackled for a safety, and the Golden Hawks took the first points, 2-0.
On the second play of the Golden Hawks’ drive, quarterback Cal Wither aired it out to wide receiver Jaxon Stebbings for a quick 47-yard touchdown, and Dawson Hodge’s kick put them up 9-0. However, the Gees would respond swiftly with great receiving play from Noah Avery, beating the Golden Hawks’ safety in a footrace to score their first touchdown. Zachary Copeland’s kick was good, putting the score at 9-7.
Starting the second quarter, the Laurier drive would result in a touchdown reception by OUA-leading receiver, Ethan Jordan, and a conversion from Hodge put the lead back to nine for the Golden Hawks.
The Gees’ offense was struggling in the second quarter, with the Golden Hawks capitalizing once again with a touchdown from Darion Bacik-Hadden and Hodge’s good kick to put the Gees down 23-7.
As the half came to an end, Copeland would nail a field goal to reach double digits, immediately followed by a fumble recovery on the Laurier 45-yard line. However, with just a minute remaining, the Golden Hawks’ Wither would launch a long 55-yard receiving pass to Jordan, and the Gees were now down 20 points going into the second half.
Late in the third quarter, Number 29 Charles Asselin was on fire, earning more than 50 yards on a single drive before punching it in for a touchdown to make it a two-possession game for the Gees, 30-18.
The game would be within ten points as the Gees would get a clutch stop on defence, followed up by a Copeland field goal, 30-21.
The game looked almost out of reach as a Golden Hawks receiver, before defensive back Denny Ferdinand would rob a touchdown with a one-handed interception, keeping the game within reach.
Noah Avery and Josh Janssen were connecting well on the following drive with two big-gaining plays— however, a one-off throw from Janssen was picked off at the Golden Hawks’ 30-yard line.
The end of the fourth quarter presented some golden opportunities for the Gees with another Copeland field goal from 31 yards out — but after three plays deep within Golden Hawks’ redzone, two rushing attempts, and an incomplete pass sealed the game in an almost victory against the number one team in the nation, with the final score within one possession, 30-24.
The Gee-Gees put up a real fight against the Golden Hawks, with Janssen leading total passing yards with 433, on 24-35 completions to attempts, throwing for one touchdown. As always, the connection between Janssen and Avery was red hot, as Avery accounted for 135 receiving yards on eight receptions.
Unluckily for the Gee-Gees, the Golden Hawks recorded their best offensive game of the season, but still held the lead to just six points, which is the second closest of the season after their opening game against Guelph, 33-28.
Even with the Gees recording their best offensive display of the season, it was still not enough to take down the titans of U SPORTS Football. Despite the Gees’ 3-2 record, their only defeats have come against the top two programs.
On the bright side, the team has earned itself a bye week to gear up for the next matchup against the 2-2 Carleton Ravens for the annual Panda Game! Stay on the lookout for the Panda Game preview to get the rundown for the best game to watch in all of U SPORTS.
