Football (M) - News

Football (1-0 OUA, 1-1 overall)

At Windsor (0-1 OUA) Tuesday, August 31, 7:00 p.m. for season opening game

The Gee-Gees opened up the 2010 OUA regular season on the road Tuesday evening with an exciting 23-14 victory over the Windsor Lancers at the University of Windsor’s Alumni Stadium.

This becomes head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin’s first win of his CIS coaching career.

“I’m very happy with our win today,” said Asselin. “There are definitely improvements we want to work on, such as capitalizing on big play opportunities on both offense and defense, but we are definitely happy with a win.”

Ranked No. 5 in the CIS top ten coming into the season, the Gee-Gees managed to maintain the lead over the Lancers throughout the entire game.

Fifth year DB Chayce Elliott, Burnaby, B.C., had an excellent 24 yard return off the kick-off to start things off for the garnet and grey.

Fourth year QB Bradley Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., continued to display his outstanding athletic ability, finishing as the game’s leading rusher with 126 yards, including a huge 74 yard run to the 20 yard line in the first quarter.

The first score of the game came from fifth year Rec Matthew Bolduc, Ottawa, Ont., off a beautiful TD pass from Sinopoli in the endzone. Third-year K-P Matthew Falvo, Welland, Ont., followed it up with a successful kick for the extra point to secure an early 7-0 lead. Falvo went on to contribute another convert and three field goals –including a long 47 yard boot –for a total of 11 points.

After starting second year FB Brendan Gillanders, Orleans, Ont., went down early in the first quarter, back-up third year Mark Stephenson, Edmonton, Alta., took the majority of the carries for the Gee-Gees, amassing 41 yards on 12 carries.

In the second quarter, Bolduc scored yet another touchdown, this time off a 45 yard TD catch, to increase the lead to 14-1.

Fourth-year veteran Steven Hughes, Ottawa, Ont., was a key receiver in the Gee-Gees first victory, as he connected with Sinopoli on several occasions and finished the game as the Gee-Gees top receiver with 128 yards on 11 receptions.

First-year FB David Levell, Laval, Qué., put on a strong freshman performance, recording 30 yards rushing, as well as first-year LB Nick Lecour, Ottawa, Ont., who amassed three solo tackles.

Fifth-year DL Sébastien Tétreault, Granby, Qué, who recorded five tackles, was a dominant force in the defensive line.

Despite an ongoing struggle with penalties, it was clear that uOttawa did not skip a beat in their powerful third ranked offense from last year, recording 353 yards in 42 plays in the first half alone (207 yards passing and 146 yards rushing and 19 first downs).  The Lancers went 66 yards in 22 plays in the first half, with only five first downs.

The Lancers did come out much stronger in the second half, restricting the Gee-Gees to six points and adding an additional 13 to their count.

The Gee-Gees will look to add win number two to their record and start a winning streak this coming Labour Day when they take on the Western Mustangs on Monday, September 6, in their home opening game at the Frank Clair Stadium. Kick-off time is 1:00 p.m.