London, Ont. (September 3, 2007) - The Queen's Golden Gaels got off to a fantastic start in the OUA, as they defeated the Western Ontario Mustangs 26-20 in overtime Monday night at TD Waterhouse Stadium. Gaels running back Mike Giffin ended the game in the first overtime period when he scored his second touchdown of the game on a 22 yard run. Giffin finished with a career best 156 yards on 24 carries as Queen's came from 20-6 down in the last 17 minutes. The Gaels struggled in the first half falling behind 3-0 late in the first quarter on a 34 yard field goal by Mustang kicker Derek Schiavone. Three minutes into the second quarter Western running back Randy McAuley who ran for a game high 214 yards scored on a 6 yard carry and with Schiavone's convert the home team led 10-0. The two teams exchanged field goals with Queen's redshirt freshman Dan Village making a 31 yarder but Schiavone answering that with a nine yard kick of his own and it was 13-3 Western at halftime. Village made his second field goal midway through the third quarter from 17 yards out but McAuley scored his second major six minutes later from seven yards out to make it 20-6 with 2:16 left in the third. Queen's started to turn things around shortly after getting a 20 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Danny Brannagan to slotback Scott Stinson with three seconds left in the third quarter. The Gaels tied the game midway through the final period on a one yard run by Giffin but Western had a chance on the last play of regulation but Schiavone's field goal attempt was blocked and the two teams headed for overtime for the first time in their storied rivalry. Western took possession first in the opening period of extra time but Schiavone missed a field goal and the Gaels returned it out of the endzone to keep it tied at 20. Taking over at the Western 35, Giffin ran ten yards on the first play and then shortly after finished the night off with his longest carry of the game, a 22 yard toudown. For the Tricolour, Brannagan was 10 for 26 for 122 yards, a touchdown and an interception, completing passes to five different receivers. The Gaels finished the game with 28 rushing plays to go with Brannagan's 26 pass attempts and the win over Western is their second straight over the London school after last October's 28-9 win at Richardson Stadium. Queen's takes their 1-0 record into their home opener this Sunday September 9th against the Guelph Gryphons who lost Monday to defending league champion Ottawa 30-23. For tickets go to www.goldengaels.com or call (613) 533-6000 ext 74715.