Windsor, Ont. (September 22, 2007) - The No. 8 ranked Queen's Golden Gaels extended their unbeaten streak to four as they defeated the Windsor Lancers 38-3 in front of a national television audience on Saturday night in Windsor, Ont.
Mike Giffin of Kingston, Ont. led the Gaels with three rushing touchdowns and 120 yards on the ground keeping the Gaels undefeated in the 2007 campaign. Giffin has now collected six touchdowns in the last two games and has earned four consecutive games with 100 plus rushing yards.
With the game broadcast live on theSCORE television network, Queen's fell behind 1-0 early in the first quarter. They quickly rebounded after Jimmy Allin of Corbyville, Ont., returned a punt to put the Gaels deep in Windsor territory setting up 19-yard Giffin run.
In the second quarter the Gaels erupted for 21 points which gave the Tricolour a 28-1 lead going into the half. Prior to the half, Allin had intercepted two passes, one of which resulted in a second Giffin touchdown.
Danny Brannagan of Burlington, Ont. completed 11 of 22 passes for a total of 258-yards with two touchdowns. Brannagan's top play came in the fourth quarter when he hooked up with Kingston's Rob Bagg on a 67-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach at 35-3.
Not to be overshadowed, the Queen's defence held reigning Hec Creighton trophy winner, Windsor running back Daryl Stephenson (London, Ont.) to just 109-yards and no touchdowns. The Lancer passing game was also less non-existent giving up a just 97-yards in the air and picking off Lancer Quarterback Dan Lumley (Windsor) three times.
Stephenson was able to collect enough yards on the Gaels defence to pass 4,000 career yards rushing in his career. He became the seventh player in CIS history and only the second in OUA history to break the 4,000-yard barrier. Stephenson is just 50-yards away from breaking the all-time mark which is held by former McMaster Marauder and current CFL Hamilton Tiger Cat Jesse Lumsden (4,138).
The No. 8 ranked Gaels are now 4-0 and are tied for top spot in the OUA league standings with Ottawa and Laurier.
Queen's will host Laurier next Saturday at Richardson Stadium in a battle of undefeated teams. The Golden Hawks are the No. 5th ranked team in the country and many are touting them as Queen's biggest challenge this year.
Next Saturday's game will also mark the 125th anniversary of Queen's Golden Gaels football. Special celebrations are being planned and kickoff will take place at 1:25pm. Tickets are available by calling (613) 533-6000 ext 74715.
NOTES: Giffin the OUA's second leading rusher was named theSCORE Player of the Game... Windsor's record is now 1-3... Five teams are still undefeated in the 2007 CIS Football season; they are: Queen's (4-0), Laurier (4-0), Ottawa (4-0), Manitoba (4-0) and Saint Mary's (3-0).
