GAELS OPEN REGULAR SEASON WITH 35-11 VICTORY OVER MCMASTER
Kingston, Ont. (September 1, 2008) – Mike Giffin of Kingston, Ont. had two touchdowns in a 35-11 victory over the McMaster Marauders as the Queen's Gaels opened up the 2008 regular season at home in Richardson Stadium.
Giffin recorded 143-yards while caring the ball 18 times in his return to the Gaels after attending training camp with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats earlier this summer. Giffin maintains his regular season streak of consecutive showings over 100-yards rushing. The 11-game streak dates back to October 17, 2006 verses York University.
On the other side of the ball, defensive back and Boston Pizza Player of the Game, Jim Allin of Belleville, Ont. played a pivotal role in the victory by intercepting a pass and returning the ball for 129-yards on the punt return unit. His longest return came in the second quarter when he sprung loose for 75-yards.
Defensively the Gaels held the Marauders scoreless until the 11-minute mark of the fourth quarter when they conceded a safety to make the score 28-2. Overall Queen's defence forced two fumbles, and recorded four sacks which put Queen's in prime field position on numerous occasions.
Head Coach Pat Sheahan was impressed with Allin's overall performance and believed he was a difference in the game with McMaster purposely keeping the ball away from him.
“I think he's going to be a returner of consequences which our opponents found out that today,” said Sheahan. “There were several punts deliberately kicked out of bounds. I think for good reason. “
Gaels Quarterback Danny Brannagan of Burlington, Ont. tossed two touchdown passes for 288-yards, averaging over nine-yards per pass. Brannagan's first touchdown pass came in the third quarter with the game well in hand connecting with Scott Stinson of North Bay, Ont. for a 13-yard score. His second came on a 30-yard yard pass to Scott Valberg of Kingston which made the score 35-2.
After Queen's conceded its second safety of the game, McMaster closed the game on a positive note by putting together a solid drive of 10-plays and 68-yards in just over two minutes. The drive was capped when Steven Sparks of Hamilton threw a three-yard pass to find Sean Fahey of Mississauga, Ont. in the end-zone.
Overall Sheahan was pleased with his team, but believed some more work was needed to prepare for the remainder of the season
“We capitalized and made some plays, but overall we were not a well oiled machine; I guess in week one, we are rarely like that. We have to get better because games are going to get tougher.”
Queen's is now 1-0 and will travel to Guelph to face the 0-1 Gryphon's who lost to Wilfred Laurier 15-13 earlier today. The game will be broadcast live, nationally on the THE SCORE network beginning at 1:00pm. Check local Listing for details.
NOTES: Last year Giffin recorded 1,157-yards becoming the Queen's first rusher to go over 1,000 yards rushing. He also broke school records in carries and touchdowns scored… Allin's return yards could have been higher but a Queen's face mask penalty in the second quarter negated a 62-yard return which ended on the two-yard line… The rivalry between these two teams was evident with McMaster tallying 13 penalties for 132 yards while Queen's had 10 for 92 yards… Heat was a factor in the game with many players citing cramping as issue; game time temperature was 27 degrees but 31 with the humidity and clear sunny skies.
