HAMILTON (October 28, 2017) - The Queen's Gaels lost a nail biting OUA quarter-final matchup 12-9 to the No.6 McMaster Marauders on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Hamilton.

The Gaels season comes to an end after finishing 4-4 and losing in the OUA quarter-final.

GAME FLOW
It was a rainy, windy day in Hamilton on Saturday and both teams had to battle the tough conditions early.

After the Marauders sputtered offensively to start the game, the Gaels gave the ball right back after a botched snap resulted in a lost fumble.

The Marauders went for it on third and short deep in Queen's territory but were shut down by the Gaels defence. The Tricolour couldn't push the ball downfield, and the Marauders continued to control the field possession game early.

The Marauders put the games first points on the board as Dan Petermann hauled in a 24-yard pass from Jackson White to make it 7-0 McMaster.

The Marauders used the run game to control the clock and keep the field position in their favour throughout the first half. McMaster running back Jordan Lyons rushed 39 times for 319 yards in the game to set a career-high mark.

After a field goal and a Queen's safety, McMaster went into the half ahead of Queen's 12-0.

Queen's picked up their pace in the second half starting on the opening possession. Quarterback Nate Hobbs (Mississauga, Ont.) found Matteo Del Brocco (Leamington, Ont.) and Jake Puskus (Thunder Bay, Ont.) rushed for a big gain putting the Gaels in field goal position. Nick Liberatore (Dartmouth, N.S.) connected from 27-yards out to put Queen's on the board.

The defence kept Queen's in it as they continued to make big plays on the day. With McMaster pushing for more points, Jason Shamatutu (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) snagged an interception in the Gaels endzone to keep the Marauders from extending their lead.

Late in the third quarter after a Marauder fumble on a punt return, the Gaels were able to tack on another three as Liberatore hit from 30-yards out.

After a 33-yard reception from Chris Osei-Kusi (Brampton, Ont.) to end the third quarter, the Gaels set up another Liberatore field goal, this time from 33-yards out to get within three.

Each team traded missed field goals, but the Gaels controlled the possession game in the final frame.

Queen's was able to get to the McMaster 39-yard line after Osei-Kusi picked up a big first down on a third and five with an 11-yard reception.

On the next play, a Hobbs pass in the flats was intercepted by the Marauders and brought to mid-field.

Queen's had one final shot on a hail mary but it was incomplete, and the Marauders held on for the win.

FINAL SAY
"We didn't get many points, but we lost the field. I thought it was teeing up for one of those classic Queen's finishes, but the team fought hard. They never gave up, and I'm proud of them and the way they came out at half scrapping. Overall I thought that the seniors did a great job and showed great leadership." - Pat Sheahan

BY THE NUMBERS
319 - Yards rushing for Lyons
105 - Receiving yards for Osei-Kusi
14 - Tackles for Mike Moore