The 2016 Gee-Gees football season came to an end at the hands of the Carleton Ravens on Saturday afternoon. Ottawa bowed out of the OUA playoffs in the quarter-finals with a 45-9 loss at the hands of its rivals. Carleton used 315 yards of rushing to control the game and took advantage of turnovers to gradually build the large lead.
Carleton's running back duo of Jayde Rowe and Christian Battistelli posted 125 and 131 yards, respectively and combined for three touchdowns. Battistelli's major came on a 56-yard effort to start the third quarter and put Carleton firmly ahead, 34-3.
At the end of a closely contested first quarter and a solid offensive drive, things began to go sideways for Ottawa when a high snap meant Lewis Ward had to kick away the ball low on the ground rather than attempt a 36-yard field goal. The ball was picked up by Tunde Adeleke and returned it 56 yards to the Gee-Gee 40 yard line. Carleton converted the opportunity with a passing touchdown to Wilson Birch and led 10-0.
Derek Wendel completed 13 of his 24 attempts with one interception before leaving the game early in the third quarter after taking a hit to his throwing arm. Victor Twynstra connected with Luke Ffrench for the lone Ottawa touchdown of the game, which came on a third and goal effort with just under seven minutes remaining.
"They had good pressure on our pocket and it was difficult for our quarterbacks to operate properly. We were able to get some momentum at different stages and then it just stopped," said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi.
"As soon as you get into a do or die situation it's so emotional," said defensive captain Ty Cranston. "Entire seasons are on the line and it's really about playing for the guys beside you. No matter what the playoffs are going to be tough because any team can take it home in this conference.
"The season is like being in a heavyweight fight. To get to where we are, going 6-2, I give our guys a lot of credit," added Barresi. "There were just some things creeping up on us and it didn't come together today."
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