KINGSTON, Ont. (August 26, 2017) – The Queen's Gaels (0-1) opened the regular season at Richardson Stadium hosting the Carleton Ravens (1-0). The crowd of 2,698 were treated to a wild finish that saw the Ravens snatch a win away from Queen's 22-17.
GAME FLOW
The Ravens started off hot on the opening drive of the game as they moved the ball on the Gaels with a with a 50-yard pass completion from Michael Arruda to Phil Iloki to get the Ravens deep into the Gaels end. The Queen's defence held strong, and the Ravens missed their field-goal attempt.
Wesley Mann (Almonte, Ont.) returned the ball out to the Gaels 18-yard line.
A Queen's two and out put the Ravens back in control for another 37-yard field goal attempt and this time Carleton kick Michael Domagala connected giving the Ravens a 3-0 lead.
After a pair of incomplete passes, Queen's found their rhythm after a nine-yard reception and first down from
Matteo Del Brocco (Kingsville, Ont.). Del Brocoo went on to receive two more from quarterback
Nate Hobbs (Mississauga, Ont.), good for a total of 32-yards from the receiver during the first quarter. The Gaels levelled the score at 3-3 with a field goal from
Nick Liberatore (Dartmouth, N.S.) from 20 yards out to close the first quarter.
The Ravens defence opened up the second quarter with a pair of fumble recoveries. The second was scooped up by Frederik Robitaille who returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. A few minutes later, the Ravens were able to add a safety to get ahead of the Gaels 12-3 as they took down Hobbs in the Gaels endzone for another sack.
In the final minute before the half, Mann provided the Gaels with a spark before heading into the dressing room as he wrapped up Arruda for a sack.
The third frame saw a needed resurgence from the Gaels offence after Hobbs found Del Brocco for 11 yards, Queen's kept rolling offensively.
Jonah Pataki (Wallaceburg, Ont.) rushed for eight more yards and once again, Hobbs connected with Del Brocco, this time for an 18-yard Queen's touchdown. Liberatore was able to convert for the extra point, as the Gaels closed the gap with the Ravens to make it 12-10.
The seasoned Gaels defensive line demonstrated their veteran grit, as
Phoenix Grouse (Dartmouth, N.S.) recovered a fumble from Ravens quarterback Arruda. The Gaels drive went on to see a pair of big rushes from Hobbs and Pataki. Liberatore attempted a third field goal but just missed from the 44-yard line.
The Gaels came out flying in the last quarter. Hobbs and Del Brocco combined for another 50 yards through the air including another Gaels touchdown. Del Brocco was left untouched in the back of the Ravens endzone, and Hobbs hit the fourth year receiver putting Queen's ahead 17-12.
The celebrations were short lived, however. Carleton came around to get a field goal and forced the Gaels offence deep in their end. In the last minute of play, Carleton was able to push forward for a touchdown to overcome the Gaels 22-17 and steal a victory.
FINAL SAY
"Through the air, I thought we were good. It was there for the taking, but we just couldn't quite bring it home. I feel bad about that; I feel bad for the guys they played their guts out. The defence, tremendous effort, tremendous. We didn't get much production on first down against this team; they're pretty tough up front. " -
Pat Sheahan, Head Coach.
BY THE NUMBERS
306 – Passing yards for
Nate Hobbs
9 – Total tackles by
Nelkas Kwemo
132 – A career high in receiving yards from
Matteo Del Brocco on nine receptions
111 - Rushing/receiving combined yards for
Jonah Pataki
9 – Ravens sacks for a loss of 46 yards on Queen's
UP NEXT
Queen's has a little over a week until their first road trip of the season. The Gaels will travel to Ottawa and face the Gee-Gees on Monday, September 4 at 2 pm. That game can be seen live on
OUA.tv.
