Football (3-0 OUA, 3-1 Overall)
Host McMaster Marauders (2-1 OUA, 2-1 Overall) Saturday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m. (live on Rogers Cable 22, Cable 14 in Hamilton, SSN Canada)
The uOttawa Gee-Gees will put their perfect 3-0 record on the line this weekend as they welcome the McMaster Marauders to Frank Clair Stadium this Saturday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m. The garnet and grey are sure to have circled this game on their calendar, and will be looking for some redemption after the Marauders upset the Gee-Gees 27-15 in last year's OUA quarterfinal.
The Gee-Gees are coming off a big win last week, and cruised to a 45-3 victory against the York Lions. Fourth-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., continued his outstanding play, and led the offensive charge with three touchdown passes in the first half alone. He currently leads all CIS quarterbacks in yards per game with 340.7, in completions with 67, in touchdowns with 7, in total yards with 1,022 and in passing with 376.3 yards.
This week's Blackberry -CIS Top Ten national rankings have the Gee-Gees in the No. 2 spot, while the Marauders are ranked No. 8. Still, uOttawa will have their worked cut out for them. The Marauders are coming off their first loss of the season with a 50-19 thumping at the hands of the Western Mustangs. Rest assured that McMaster will lavish the opportunity in playing potential spoiler once again in front of the hometown crowd as the Gee-Gees try to stay undefeated on the season.
Thoughts from head coach JEAN-PHILIPPE ASSELIN
When asked about the media hype surrounding this week's game, and the Gee-Gees 2009 OUA quarterfinal loss against McMaster; head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin had this to say: "We haven't talked about that, and I haven't heard about last year. I think our guys are really focused on what we can achieve this year. The past is the past, and this year is this year. So it is not an issue being focused this week I think, our guys are doing a good job at getting better every day."
In terms of improvement for this week's game, Asselin admitted that special teams needed to bounce back from their game against York: "We didn't dominate [York] on the special team aspect of things. I feel like we need to get better at that this week. But if they can, they have already proven it the first three games of the season. So we definitely can come back and have a good game on special team against Mac."
Thoughts from assistant head coach and defensive coordinator SEAN HALL
Defensive coordinator Sean Hall knows they cannot take McMaster's offensive threat lightly: "Mac's offense could pose some problems for us. Our focus needs to be even bigger than it was against Western. They've got two good running backs who can pound the ball. I think their quarterback is one of the better quarterbacks in the league; he can run, he can throw. And they have a solid offensive line that is physical. So we're gonna need to bring our A-game for sure."
NOTES
Key injuries for the Gee-Gees this week are fifth-year OL Philippe David, Buckingham, Qué., and is listed as probable for Saturday's game. First-year LB Nick Lecour, Ottawa, Ont., could maybe see a return to action this weekend, and second-year DB Zach Raynor, Ottawa, Ont., also potentially returning as well.
The game will be broadcasted live here in Ottawa on Rogers Cable 22, and on Cable 14 in Hamilton. SSN Canada will also have the game available live via webcast.
As part of Sport Day in Canada activities, the Canadian Paralympics Committee will be demonstrating over 10 adapted sports including sledge hockey and wheelchair basketball at Saturday's game. Gee-gee fans will have the chance to meet Paralympics medalists, as well as the opportunity to try some of these sports.
Members of the national paralympic team on hand will be sledge hockey players Jean Labonté and Shawn Matheson; nordic skiers Alexei Novikov and Margarita Gorbounova; and sprinter Leah Robinson, among others.
**Don't forget to buy your tickets for this week's home game against McMaster!**
Individual regular season ticket prices
Adult $12.00
Non uOttawa student/Senior $8.00
uOttawa Student/Alumni/Staff $6.00
Child (5-12) $4.00
Under 5 Free
