RECAP: #9 Gee-Gees overpower York in Toronto

The U SPORTS ninth-ranked Gee-Gees football team improved to 3-1 on the 2019 season with a 46-12 win over the York Lions in Toronto on Saturday evening.

Quickly falling behind 3-0 on an early field goal, the Gee-Gees took a quarter to get their feet under them at Alumni Field. The Lions missed two field goals following their first, squandering an opportunity to go up by nine points early in the first quarter.

In the second frame, the Gee-Gees came alive, putting up 23 points before halftime. Fourth-year running back Jordan Burgher got the Gee-Gees on the board with a one-yard rush. Ottawa then picked up four points on a field goal and a rouge, followed by a nine-yard touchdown reception by Kalem Beaver.

Finally, kicker Campbell Fair hit a 30-yard field goal with no time remaining to make the score 23-10 at the break.

In the second half, the Gee-Gees pulled away as receiver Peace Tshilombo logged his first career touchdown reception, and Burgher found the end zone twice. With the game significantly out of hand in the fourth quarter, the coaching staff was able to give playing time to young players in the lineup, resting players that will be essential next week against Guelph.

The key contributor on the offensive end for the Gee-Gees was Burgher, who had a career game in his hometown. The Toronto product rushed for 71 yards and his first three career touchdowns. Quarterback Ben Maracle threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

The Gee-Gees defensive unit that has been strong all season, did not allow an offensive touchdown in the game. York's 12 points came on one field goal, a kickoff return touchdown, and a conceded safety.

Defensive back Alex Douglas led the way for the Gee-Gees on defence, tallying 6.5 tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles. Defensive tackle Tramayne Stephen also impressed by disrupting the York backfield with a sack, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. 

Overall, the Gee-Gees tallied five fumble recoveries on the evening, bringing their total to a nation leading 12 this season.

Up next:

The Gee-Gees will travel to Guelph to take on the U SPORTS sixth-ranked Gryphons on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on OUA.tv. 

The following weekend, the Gee-Gees will take on the Carleton Ravens in the Panda Game at TD Place on Oct. 5 at 12 p.m.