Men’s football team struggles on the road
Spencer Van Dyk | Fulcrum Staff
Photo illustration by Mico Mazza
The men’s football team has suffered its second consecutive loss. After a discouraging 63-18 defeat at the hands of the University of Windsor Lancers on Sept. 3, the Gee-Gees again fell short on Sept. 8, with a 47-36 loss to the York Lions.
Gee-Gees head coach Gary Etcheverry summarized the reason for his team’s loss simply.
“In three words: lack of explosiveness,” he said. “We had dead legs. I don’t know whether it was the transition from our training camp, or maybe it was a combination of the long trip and the humidex, but this week we don’t expect to have the same lack of explosion that we had in virtually every component of our game against Windsor.”
The Gee-Gees did manage to gain a fast start in this past weekend’s game against the York University Lions, earning them a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, but it didn’t last through the second quarter, as the Lions scored a series of touchdowns, including an 85-yard score.
There were, of course, other factors to consider in the Ottawa-Windsor loss. Fourth-year Gees running back Brendan Gillanders was injured in the first quarter and was unable to return to the game. Rookie Mack Tommy took his place and ran for 78 yards and scored a touchdown on 14 carries.
“He’s a tough nut and he was going hard at training camp,” said Etcheverry of Tommy. “He played more than expected today because of Gillanders coming out, but he’ll be an emerging guy for us as the season goes on.”
Etcheverry said the Windsor quarterback’s talent and good rhythm with his receivers were key factors in the team’s win, and that despite the loss against the Lancers, the Gee-Gees have a great opportunity to improve.
“Obviously there is a lot to improve on,” Etcheverry said. “And I think our offence has the most room for improvement. The number of passes was affected by the pressure on [our quarterback, Aaron] Colbon. We left touchdowns on the field.”
Even though the Gee-Gees have been successful against the York Lions in the past, with a 65-12 win last season, they were unable to make a comeback from their second quarter last Saturday and ended the game with a close 47-36 loss.
“The killer was when we pinned them in their own end early in the fourth quarter, but then they went down the field and scored,” explained Etcheverry. “I think we did improve in some areas, but our players have to continue improving and talking amongst themselves and we’ve already started it right here. Certainly, our team can do better.”
The Gee-Gees will host their home opener against the McMaster University Marauders on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.
