KINGSTON, Ont. (September 2, 2018) – It wasn't quite the home opener that the Queen's football team was expecting in a 44-18 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks.
6,879 fans were in attendance to celebrate Tricolour Pride Night at Richardson Stadium including the many first-year students who attended the game as part of Orientation Week.
GAME FLOW
The Gaels had a slow start to the game with their first four drives resulting in four quick punts.
The Golden Hawks took advantage of the early time of possession and converted it into a quick 13 points. This included a six-yard touchdown run from Laurier running back Osayi Iginuan.
To start the second quarter, Golden Hawks' quarterback Tristan Arndt found Brentyn Hall in the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown. And just like that the Gaels were down 20-0.
However, during the following drive Queen's were able to put together a lengthy touchdown drive that was highlighted by a 21-yard catch from
Rudy Uhl along the sidelines. The catch brought the Gaels into Golden Hawk territory eventually setting up a
Rasheed Tucker touchdown.
After a late field goal the Golden Hawks took a 23-7 lead into the half.
The Golden Hawks had a pair of touchdown scores in the third quarter including a 34-yard touchdown pass from Tristan Arndt to Kurleigh Gittens Jr. They led 37-7 after three quarters of action.
Then in the fourth, Golden Hawks' backup quarterback Jacob Spinella found Esson Hamilton along the sidelines and he took it 75-yards for the score.
The Gaels ended the game on a high-note. After
Nick Liberatore hit a 37-yard field goal. The Gaels drove down the field on the final possession of the game. They then converted on their second one-yard touchdown rush of the game, this time with
Nate Hobbs as the ball carrier. Hobbs then found
Matteo Del Brocco for the two-point conversion to end the ballgame.
FEDERICO X2
Rookie
Anthony Federico recorded his first two career sacks. The up-and-coming defensive lineman will look to play a larger role in the Gaels' pass rush as the season progresses.
MUST SEE MOMENT
Rasheed Tucker proves that the future is bright with his first career touchdown.
BY THE NUMBERS
89 – Laurier held the Gaels to just 89 rushing yards in the game.
Rasheed Tucker led the group with 36 yards.
4 – The Gaels mustered up four sacks on the night, a new season high.
80 – Laurier QB Tristan Arndt completed 80% of his throws on 24-30 passing.
FINAL SAY
"It was a great atmosphere it's too bad you don't put together a great ball game when you 've got a great crowd like that but that's football sometimes. Our guys were a lot better than the score indicated."
"At this point we're just not quite at that level, they've got a high octane offence and very athletic defence so we've got some work to do to catch them." -
Pat Sheahan, Head Coach.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will look to bounce back next Saturday as they host the Toronto Varsity Blues. Game time is set for 1pm on Sept. 8 during Kids Day at Richardson Stadium.
KIDS DAY
Queen's Athletics and Recreation is excited to partner with Kingston Boys and Girls Club to bring you Kids Day! Kids Day will feature a kid-friendly pre-game fan fest with inflatables, games, autographs, face painting and prizes. Kids can run through the Gaels tunnel onto the field after the game. Event is free with the purchase of an adult ticket to the game.
We are pleased to welcome Kingston Special Olympics athletes and Motionball Marathon of Sport participants to this game!
Halftime will feature future football stars as local
TIMFL youth football players will take the field.
