TORONTO (August 26, 2018) - In the first game of the OUA season for the Queen's football team it turned out to be a record-setting day as head coach
Pat Sheahan picked up his 100th combined regular season and playoffs victory with Queen's to join Frank Tindall and Doug Hargreaves as the only other Gaels coaches to hit the milestone.
The Gaels started out slow but were able to put up a big fourth quarter en route to the double-up victory over York 42-21.
GAME FLOW
After the game started out slow as the two teams dusted off the rust from the pre-season the Gaels and Lions picked up the pace after being tied at 3-3 heading into the second frame.
A York touchdown was met with a response from the Gaels as
Nate Hobbs (Mississauga, Ont.) connected with
Matteo Del Brocco (Kingsville, Ont.) down the middle of the field.
After York tacked on a field-goal the Gaels defence came up big.
Will Bannatyne (Calgary) got to Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak forcing and recovering a fumble. The Gaels quickly tacked on another seven points as
Rudy Uhl (North Vancouver, B.C.) hauled in his first of the season.
The Gaels offence took over in the fourth as they put up an impressive 22 points in the quarter. Hobbs rushed in a touchdown and found
Jeremy Pendergast (Kingston, Ont.) through the air on another while running back Jake Puskus (Thunder Bay, Ont.) pounded in a score. Puskus had an impressive outing with 10 rushes for a total of 81 yards.
ANOTHER COACHING MILESTONE
Last season
Pat Sheahan picked up his overall U SPORTS win 150 but now he joins Queen's lore as one of only three football coaches to hit the 100 mark with the Tricolour.
MORE 2 AND 4... LESS 1 AND 3
If you pressed snooze on the first and third quarters you were left with a high scoring affair between the Gaels and Lions. In total, the two teams combined for 51 points in the 2nd and fourth quarters compared to just 12 in the first and third.
YOUNG TRICOLOUR IMPRESS
Some new faces made an impact for the Gaels in their season opener,
Oliver MacKenzie had an interception and two breakups in his debut while receivers
Richard Burton and
Sakhia Kwemo, younger brother of CFL Argonaut and former Gael Nelkas, also hauled in their first catches for Queen's.
MUST SEE MOMENT
Benjamin Ahren showcases his speed and quick hands as he also evades a hit.
BY THE NUMBERS
5 - Different Gaels found the endzone
51 - Combined points in the 2nd and 4th quarters for the two teams
19 - Queen's improves their record against York to a perfect 19-0
108 - Yards receiving for Osei-Kusi
FINAL SAY
"Honestly no one is immune to the season opener jitters and I feel that once we got our feet wet we started to show a glimpse of what is to come. We are excited to see what happens next week and the weeks beyond for our team." - Quarterback
Nate Hobbs
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to Kingston on Sunday, September 2 for their regular season home opener. It is the Gaels Tricolour Pride Night game with fans and students alike encouraged to dawn the triple threat of Blue, Red and Gold to cheer on the Gaels. Kick-off is set for 6:30 pm at Richardson Stadium. For tickets head to
gogaelsgo.com/tickets.
September 2, 6:30 pm vs Laurier: Home Opener, Tricolour Pride Night.
BUY TICKETS
