GUELPH, Ont. (September 22, 2018) - The Queen's Gaels (3-2) and the Guelph Gryphons (2-3) went to the final seconds in OUA football action from Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario but it was the Gaels who hung on for a 33-32 victory.
GAME FLOW
The Gaels opened up the game with a 21-yard
Tristan Kuchar fake punt that landed them a first-down deep into the Gryphons side of the field while simultaneously quieting the Gryphon homecoming crowd.
Queen's got close to the goal line from there and Jake Puskus punched in a rushing touchdown with a big push from the offensive line to put the Tricolour up 7-0.
Queen's was then able to double down after a defensive stop put the ball back in the Gaels hands.
Nate Hobbs connected with
Chris Osei-Kusi for a big gain and Hobbs then followed up with a 21-yard strike to
Matteo Del Brocco for the Gaels second score of the game and a 14-0 lead.
Guelph was finally able to get on the board as quarterback Theo Landers threw a 46-yard pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker which set up a Landers rushing touchdown.
Not to be outdone, the Gaels continued their success on offence. Rookie running back
Rasheed Tucker rushed for an 11-yard gain and added a pair of receptions to set the Gaels up with a first and goal. Hobbs kept for himself and scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
Queen's kept the momentum going in the second half as
Benjamin Arhen caught and ran for an 81-yard play that set up Puskus' second rushing score of the game. Liberatore later added a field goal to make it 33-7 for the Gaels.
Guelph was able to find their offensive rhythm to close out the third quarter with their second touchdown of the afternoon. They then continued to press the Queen's defence and two touchdowns and a field goal later it was just a 33-31 lead for Queen's.
The Gaels couldn't keep Guelph's defence on the field and the offence once again marched into Queen's territory in the final seconds. With the chance to win the game on a 32-yard field goal the Guelph kicker Gabe Ferraro missed wide left and the ball went through the endzone. The Gaels hung on from there in the final seconds for the 33-32 victory.
HOBBS LEADS OUA IN RUSHING TDs
Nate Hobbs has now scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game this season and has an OUA best six on the season.
GROUNDHOG DAY HOMECOMING
It was homecoming for the Gryphons on Saturday and it marks the second straight game that the Gaels have had to battle the homecoming crowd as the Ravens hosted their annual homecoming game last weekend.
BY THE NUMBERS
6 - Touchdowns for Del Brocco on the season
81 - Yard catch and run for
Benjamin Arhen
18 - 4th quarter points for Guelph
1 - Sack for
Anthony Federico, his fourth of the season
41 - Rushing yards for Hobbs to lead the Gaels
FINAL SAY
"It was definitely one of those things where we started off hot. Coach addressed it, we can't take out feet off the gas. As an offence, their making catches so we have to step up and respond and make our own plays. Other than that, it's about time a bounce went our way so we're just excited about that." -
Matteo Del Brocco.
UP NEXT
The Gaels are back in action next Saturday when they host the Western Mustangs at Richardson Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 pm, tickets are available at gogaelsgo.com/tickets.
BLOOD BATTLE
The Queen's and Western football teams are participating in a "Blood Battle" to promote blood donations to Canadian Blood Services. Gaels fans had the opportunity to make an appointment at the Canadian Blood Services booth at both home games on September 2nd and 8th to have their appointment go towards the Queen's Football count, while Western Football fans had the opportunity to make appointments at their home games on September 8th and 15th. For more info click here.
