Pedro the Panda back home after 35-10 Garnet and Grey Victory
OTTAWA- It was a stellar day for the return of the Panda Game at Gee-Gees Field on Saturday, October 5. The Ottawa teams' rivalry was at an all-time high, both on the field and in the stands. In the end, Ottawa reclaimed their title as the Panda Game champs posting a final score of 35-10.
Ottawa put up 651 yards of offence on the day and had a strong start in front of the home crowd. The Gee-Gees kept Carleton off the scoreboard while captain Brendan Gillanders and receiver Simon Le Marquand each recorded a touchdown. Gillanders was the top rusher in the game with 164 yards and was named the Porter Airlines Player of the Game by the Sportsnet 360 broadcast crew. The Ottawa native is sitting top ten in the CIS ranks for his rushing yards this season – he now averages 92.6 per game.
Carleton had just a field goal on the board, scored by Andrew Banerjee in the second frame, until a performance by defensive back Tunde Adeleke shook things up. Following a missed field goal by the Gee-Gees, Adeleke siezed his opportunity and dashed 129 yards to the opposite end zone. This feat, which ties the CIS record, has only been accomplished three times in the history of the CIS and Carleton is now in the record book.
In response, the always reliable receiver Andrew Mullings marked one of his own, connecting with quarterback Colbon for a six-yard pass just before halftime. Mullings now has seven touchdowns this season to lead the Gee-Gees.
Ottawa held a 21-10 advantage at half and shut out the Ravens in the second half.
Colbon, who passed for 295 yards, sees the Panda Game as a "healthy rivalry" between the teams and was honoured to have made his school proud. "We knew we had to win our last two games for a chance at the playoffs, so that's how we looked at it. Win this game, win next week."
The sold-out event was everything that head coach Jamie Barresi could have hoped for from the "Sons of Ottawa." "Really nice venue, the people were conducting themselves well," he said. "It was very positive. I was impressed with the crowd and the atmosphere. It was something to come and bring your kids to."
Aaron Colbon and Le Marquand rounded out the points for uOttawa in the third quarter, with Colbon's coming on a nine-yard run.
Fifth-year Le Marquand had mixed feelings about playing against his former coaches, but all in all was satisfied with the game. "Even when the play is not coming to me or the ball is not coming to me, I work hard for my teammates to perform."
After a day of Panda craze, the Gee-Gees are looking forward to their final match of the regular season. The garnet and grey will enjoy their bye week in the schedule next weekend while preparing to host the Windsor Lancers on October 29th.