FOOTBALL (4-4 OUA):
At Guelph (4-4) Saturday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. for OUA quarter-final (The Score).
FINAL: uOttawa 42 Guelph 37
BY QUARTER 1 3 3 4 -F
uOttawa 8 17 7 10 -42
Guelph 3 17 14 3 -37
HEADLINE: Mason's record rushes put Gee-Gees in OUA semifinal
GAME STORY:
Third-year runningback Davie Mason rushed for a national playoff record 327 yards Saturday in the Ottawa Gee-Gees see-saw 42-37 road win at Guelph to advance to the Ontario semifinal for the fourth time in five seasons.
Mason, a five-foot-11, 240-pound bruiser from Brampton had his parents in the wet stands after pinballing through the Gryphons defence for a career-best 31 carries and three scores to break Greg Marshall's Western Ontario record of 317 rushing yards, set Nov. 7, 1981.
The Gee-Gees overcame six turnovers to win a fourth straight playoff game against Guelph dating back seven seasons.
Mason scrummed after the game with the Gee-Gees offensive line, who he credited with opening holes for numerous open-field running opportunities.
"These guys always tell me to meet in the end-zone," smiled Mason before accepting handshakes, hugs and congratulations from his family.
"They are a big part of my life. It is great to see them here."
Mason rushed for a three-yard and 56-yard touchdown in the second quarter and added a four-yard romp in the 10-point fourth quarter to seal the win.
"Let's be honest, a lot of resilience," said Gee-Gees head coach Denis Piche.
"I am proud of these guys."
The Gee-Gee advance to the Ontario conference semifinal next Saturday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. at undefeated Queen's (8-0).
uOttawa finished with 605 yards of net offence with 30 first downs to the Gryphons 19.
Fifth-year Gee-Gees quarterback Josh Sacobie was 19-29 for 271 yards with one touchdown - a 16-yard third-quarter strike to backup quarterback Brad Sinopoli for the third-year pivot's first career touchdown reception - and two interceptions.
Fifth-year Guelph quarterback Justin Dunk was 13-27 for 245 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions.
The Gee-Gees had some positive news before the game when three of a team-record 16 receiver injuries were cleared to play.
Fifth-year transfer Ivan Birungi has four catches for 42 yards and fifth-year offensive team captain Justin Wood-Roycaught two passes for 34 yards.
uOttawa spotted Queen's a 31-0 half-time lead before falling 38-16 at Kingston on the second-to-last game of the regular season. The Gee-Gees are 6-3 all-time against the Gaels in the playoffs, with the last victory coming in the 2006 OUA semifinal, won by uOttawa 23-10 at Frank Clair Stadium.
