Football Preview: Gaels travel for Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Gee-Gees
The Queen's Gaels (0-2) travel to Ottawa to take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees (0-1) at 1:00 pm on Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, Ontario. The game will be live streamed on OUA.tv.
SNYDER ON OTTAWA
"It's a football team that's going to be very hungry coming off a loss and a well coached football team. We just have to continue to get better because Ottawa, they will present a lot of challenges offensively," said head coach Steve Snyder on the matchup against Ottawa.
OTTAWA PREVIEW
Saturday's contest against Queen's marks the Gee-Gees second game of the season, as the team started the season on a bye week. Ottawa dropped their season opener 35-22 in Hamilton against the McMaster Marauders.
The Gee-Gees finished second in the OUA last season, posting a 6-2 record. Ottawa will be looking from an improved performance from second-year quarterback Sawyer Buettner who had the worst outing of his career last week. Buettner threw four interceptions against McMaster after throwing only five total last season. First-year quarterback Ben Maracle also had a tough game throwing two interceptions.
As the projected starter against the Gaels, Maracle will need to be more efficient against the Gaels defensive front that has forced eight sacks, the second-best mark in the OUA this season.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR - Sakhia Kewmo - Queen's
With back-to-back games with a touchdown reception Sakhia Kewmo has himself as a top target for James Keenan. Kwemo's battle against the Gee-Gee's elite secondary will be a key matchup to watch.
DL Cam Lawson - Queen's
The Gaels rank tied for second in the OUA with eight sacks per game and Lawson is a big part of that picking up a pair of his own. Putting pressure on whomever is under centre for Ottawa will be key for Queen's and Lawson has been a big part of that with two sacks and six tackles so far this season.
QB - Ben Maracle - Ottawa
Maracle who completed 4/8 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions will look to have a bounce back performance in his first career start against Queen's. Without a defined running game following the departure of top running back Dawson Odei, a bulk of the Gee-Gee's offense will rest on the Maracle's shoulders.
WR - Carter Matheson - Ottawa
Carter Matheson was fifth in the OUA with 40 receptions and 664 receiving yards for a rate of 83 yards per game. Matheson also ranked tied for third in touchdowns with six. His ability to get open and make big plays will be crucial for Ottawa's success.
2018 MATCHUP
Queen's had a tough Homecoming game against Ottawa in 2018.
The Gaels closed out their 2018 regular season with a 27-22 loss against the Gee-Gees at Richardson Stadium.
Nate Hobbs threw 17-40 for 291 yards, threw three interceptions, and was sacked five times by the Gee-Gees.
Queen's trailed throughout the game cutting the lead to 27-22 with less than three minutes remaining in the game but were unable to score a late touchdown for a win.
The Gee-Gees defensive backs were key to Ottawa's victory, holding Hobbs under a 50 per cent completion rate and made three interceptions for 138 return yards and one touchdown.
