Boxscore

Kingston, Ont. (November 1, 2008) – The Ottawa Gee-Gees (6-4) ended the Queen's Gaels (8-1) drive for the Yates Cup on Saturday with a surprising 23-13 win in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Semi-final at Richardson Stadium.

Gee-Gee's running back Davie Mason of Brampton, Ont. ran for 95-yards with two touchdowns despite leaving the game in the second quarter. The two touchdowns were the difference propelling the Gee-Gees into the championship game held next Saturday against Western. Ottawa's kicker Matthew Falvo of Welland, Ont. also added three field goals.

Queen's was without OUA rushing leader Mike Giffin of Kingston, Ont. who suffered a knee injury on the first play against the Waterloo Warriors two weeks ago. Filling in for Giffin was Marty Gordon of Kingston who recorded 14 carries and ran for 83-yards while Montreal's Jimmy Therrien had an additional 33-yards.

Both quarterbacks put up similar numbers with Dan Brannagan of Burlington, Ont. completing 11 passes on 31 attempts for 177-yards for Queen's. Josh Sacobie of Fredericton, N.B. had 11 passes for 22 attempts and 177-yards.

Brannagan was the lone quarterback to throw a touchdown finding Devan Sheahan of Kingston to open the scoring for Queen's early in the first quarter.

Turnovers played a role in the game with Ottawa recovering two fumbles that were costly during Gaels drives. Brannagan was stripped of the ball under pressure by the Gee-Gee's and then in the fourth quarter Jimy Allin of Belleville, Ont. had an uncharacteristic fumble on a return that gave Ottawa field position which led to a game sealing field goal.

While the Gaels were without Giffin, Queen's also lost the service of defensive captain Thaine Carter. Carter was removed from the game in the first quarter after suffering a knee injury and did not return.

Ottawa will move on to meet Western in the Yates Cup set for London, Ont. Western topped Laurier 36-28 in the other OUA semi-final match.

NOTES: Queen's loss ends a magical run which saw the Gaels post a perfect 8-0 regular season which was the eighth in the schools storied history. This year was however the first time Queen's had won eight regular season games since division play expanded to an eight game scheduled in 1995.