Football (7-1 OUA, 7-2 Overall)
Hosted Guelph (4-4 OUA) on Saturday, October 23, 1:00 p.m. at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. (Live - The Score, SSN Canada)
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Final
Gee-Gees
14
13
10
17
54
Guelph
3
0
0
8
11
On what was a beautiful sunny fall day, the uOttawa Gee-Gees finished off the regular season in style as they hosted the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, October 23, at Frank Clair Stadium. With a 54-11 win, the Gee-Gees secured first place overall in the OUA regular season standings. Perhaps not the record-breaking game that was expected from fourth-year quarterback Brad Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., but nonetheless, he and his Gee-Gees would not disappoint.
The first quarter saw the Gee-Gees jump out to an early lead. uOttawa made good work of their running plays as first-year running back Franck Ngandui, Laval, Que., finished off an impressive first drive for a touchdown; all 82 yards of the scoring play were on the ground. Guelph would answer back soon after and came close to a touchdown until fifth-year defensive back Lee Shaver, Ottawa, Ont., broke up what was a sure touchdown pass deep in the Gee-Gees red zone. The Gryphons would have to settle for a field goal.
The garnet and grey would then add to their lead in the final minutes of the quarter. Following a bad snap on a field goal attempt, third-year kicker Matthew Falvo, Welland, Ont., recovered and was able to get the ball off to first-year line backer Nick Lecour, Ottawa, Ont., who ran the ball in for a 22-yard touchdown. The play was so well executed to the point that there was much debate as to whether or not it was a set play. Regardless, Gee-Gees led 14-3.
While Guelph would give Sinopoli little chance of breaking the all-time CIS passing record, he would connect with third-year receiver Bogdan Raic, Ottawa, Ont., for a four-yard touchdown pass to become the all-time Gee-Gees leader for most touchdown passes in a season with 22. Matthew Falvo would make two more field goals to give the Gee-Gees a commanding 27-3 lead at halftime.
The third quarter would see much of the same from the Gee-Gees. First, Falvo would make his third field goal of the game from 39 yards out. Then midway through the quarter, Sinopoli would abandon the passing game altogether and rush for a 58 yard touchdown. Later, Guelph would miss a field goal attempt, and the score would remain 37-3 for the Gee-Gees heading into the fourth.
With the running game clearly working for Gee-Gees on this day, Ngandui would run 69 yards for his second touchdown of the game. And while Falvo added another field goal, Guelph did manage to score their first touchdown of the game on an 81-yard pass from Guelph's second-year quarterback Chris Rossetti, Mississauga, Ont., to fourth-year receiver Jedd Gardner, Niagara Falls, Ont. Guelph would then convert for two extra points.
Perhaps worth noting is that Brad Sinopoli was given a well deserved rest, and so second-year quarterback Aaron Colbon, Orleans, Ont., finished off the game strong for the Gee-Gees, rushing for a 19-yard touchdown of his own. Although Sinopoli did not break the CIS record for most passing yards in a season, he still finishes the season as the CIS' top quarterback with 184 completions, 301 attempts, 2756 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.
Following the game, Sinopoli was less than bothered knowing he did not get the record today: "I know some people were talking about the records, but you know you don't force things just for records. You just have to take what they give you. I think we truly demonstrated that our offense is balanced. I mean, we ran the ball amazingly well today."
On defense, the Gee-Gees were equally impressive: "Coming into this game, I think Guelph had the best pass defense in the league. We definitely took it as an incentive to come out and show that our defense can do it too," said defensive back Lee Shaver who made some key defensive plays throughout the game for the Gee-Gees.
uOttawa Gee-Gees head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin was very happy with the win, but remained cautious that there still a lot of football to be played and that nothing has really been accomplished just yet. In looking forward to the playoffs, Asselin admitted he had no preference as to who they play, but said: "I want to play the best team and be the best team. We need to play the best to be the best."
The Gee-Gees will host their first playoff game on November 6, 2010 for the OUA semi-final, and a chance to advance to the Yates Cup final. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
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