Toronto (October 20, 2007) – The No. 9 ranked Queen’s Golden Gaels gained over 700-yards in offence to blast the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 54-24 finishing the regular season on Saturday in Toronto.
Kingston natives Rob Bagg and Mike Giffin each had three touchdowns as the Gaels concluded their regular season campaign 6-2 good enough for the third seed heading into next week’s OUA playoffs. Bagg caught nine passes for a total of 341-yards while Giffin earned 130-yards on the ground and another 70 in the air.
Gaels Quarterback Dan Brannagan of Burlington, Ont. had his best offensive showing of the season lighting up the scoreboard for four touchdown scores with 14 completions, 22 attempts and 440-yards passing.
Bagg, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior, who won a spot on the CFL’s Saskatchewan Rough Riders last June but opted to stay with the Gaels, now ranks second on the CIS list for receiving yards in a single game behind Queen’s alumni James MacLean. (377 vs. Guelph, 2001).
Giffin, last week’s OUA Athlete of the Week, is the only running back in Gaels history to run for 100-yards in eight consecutive league games. He has now amassed 10 consecutive 100-yard plus rushing games dating back to last season. He also finishes the regular season with a total of 1,157-yards, the most in team history.
Third year running back
Marty Gordon of Kingston also scored his first touchdown of the season to finish the Gaels scoring outburst early in the fourth quarter.
Toronto did manage to put 24 points against the Gaels defence with 17 coming when the game’s outcome had been well decided and Queen’s resting many of their starters. Kris Newman (Scarborough, Ont.) was the leading back for the Blues earning 22 carries for 126-yards and a single touchdown. The Blues also got touchdowns from Andrew Gillis (Markham, Ont.), and Quarterback David Hamilton (Mississauga, Ont.). Hamilton threw 10 completions for 160-yards in the air.
On the defensive side of the ball Jimmy Allin of Corbyville, Ont. tied a team record for most career pass break-ups recording one in today’s game. Allin, a third year defensive back is tied with Kirby Calvert who played for the Gaels until 2005 with 17.
Overall the Gaels defence surrendered 375-yards offence recovering two of Toronto’s five fumbles and sacking Hamilton once.
Next week the Gaels will face off against the University of Western Ontario in a quarter-final home playoff game on October 27 at Richardson Stadium beginning at 1:00pm.
The Gaels started the season on the road against Western and dealt them a 26-20 over-time loss in week one. The Mustangs continued to struggle losing the next three before rebounding with four convincing win’s including today’s 37-3 romp over the Waterloo Warriors.
Tickets for the game are already on sale and can be purchased at the Physical Education Centre on campus at Queen’s University or by calling (613) 533-2500.
NOTES: Game attendance was 2,255... The loss handed the Blue’s its 49th consecutive loss dating back to the 2001 season and adds to their dubious mark of longest losing streak in CIS Football history... Last week they broke the old mark held by York University losing to University of Western Ontario... The Blues' losing streak pales in comparison to the NCAA record for consecutive defeats, which is 80 set by Prairie View A&M (1989-'98).
