KINGSTON, Ont. (Nov. 5, 2022) – Queen's Football is heading to the Yates Cup. For the second season in a row, Queen's will play for the Yates Cup after defeating the Ottawa Gee-Gees 35-13 in the OUA Semifinals Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.

It was another solid rushing game for Queen's with Jared Chisari finishing the game with 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and Anthony Soles finding the end zone twice on 14 carries for 58 yards.

Alex Vreeken and Richard Burton led Queen's strong passing effort. Vreeken finished the game 11-17 for 176 yards while Burton finished with a team-high five receptions for 108 yards.



"Richard's had a great season and he has a unique ability to click with anyone that's throwing him the ball and that's a credit to him," said Head Coach Steve Snyder after the game. "I think Alex settled into that game really well. He's been practising well and that makes a difference. Richard's one of those quarterback-friendly guys where he just knows how to find the open area, stay in it as long as possible. They executed well."

Burton also returned an Ottawa punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

"We knew it was going to be a fight, we were going to go four quarters with these guys," said Burton after the game. "It's playoff football, they're a great team. It was really something we were going to have to keep pounding at them."

"Richard's an amazing player and my job is to get the playmakers the ball," said Vreeken. "We have a good connection and it's just growing every single day and he's making me look really good."

Queen's defence was a force all game, holding the Gee-Gees to 280 total yards and 13 points.



Darien Newell applied constant pressure from his defensive tackle position, finishing with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

"Definitely felt good knowing this game was do or die," said Newell after the game. "And bringing it to the Yates Cup, it feels good."

Alongside Newell, Silas Hubert had a strong performance, finishing with one sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

"Once one of us gets one, I start poking at him, it makes him go get one," Newell said of playing with Hubert and the defensive line. "It was a group effort for sure."

Ashton Miller-Melancon recorded another interception. After finishing with a team-high three interceptions in the regular season, Miller-Melancon is up to two in the OUA Playoffs.

And Tyler Mullan continued his impressive run this year, connecting on two field goals with a long of 17.

With the win, Queen's Football advanced to the 114^th Yates Cup. It will be a rematch of last year's game, with Queen's travelling to London, Ont. this time to take on the Mustangs. Queen's will play in the 114^th Yates Cup Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

By the Numbers

309 - Postseason rushing yards by Jared Chisari. Chisari had 283 rushing yards in five regular season games.
4 - Number of games with multiple rushing touchdowns for Anthony Soles this season (regular season and postseason combined).
5 - Number of tackles for a loss by Queen's Football's defence.

Quotable

"It was a huge win and I'm really proud of everybody because there are a lot of people that work at this. To be able to secure another championship game opportunity two years in a row now is a big deal for our program. We're definitely pushing in the right direction right now, it feels great." - Steve Snyder of the OUA Semifinal win.

"We're more experienced. I think we're a better football team. Making that playoff run last year was powerful for our program. I think this team is in a much better place to compete at a high level." - Steve Snyder on the difference between this year and last year.

"It's exciting stuff. An opportunity to win the Yates Cup is something special. We're going to need a big week of preparation, and really looking forward to the opportunity." - Richard Burton on the 114th Yates Cup.