HAMILTON, ON – The nationally third-ranked McMaster Marauders (4-0) appear on national television for the first time in 2006 this Sunday when they host the Queen’s Golden Gaels (2-2).
After an arduous, yet successful, two-game road trip that saw the Marauders play night games in Ottawa and Windsor, Mac returns home for three of their remaining four games.
Last week, Mac fell behind for the second consecutive week, this time taking a 17-5 deficit into the half against the Lancers. However, Mac dominated the third quarter, outscoring Windsor 21-0 on the strength of two Andre Sadeghian touchdowns, including a 70-yard screen pass. The Marauders would go on to win 32-20.
Sadeghian finished the day rushing 14 times for 77 yards and a score, and catching three passes for 106 yards with the touchdown. On the season, Sadeghian has rushed 61 times for 383 yards and five touchdowns, and has caught eight passes for 175 yards, with two scores. He and Mac kicker Pauolo Faiazza are tied for the CIS lead in scoring with 42 points.
Adam Archibald rebounded nicely in Windsor after an unproductive first half. The fourth-year quarterback completed 16 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. In 2006, Archibald has completed 39 of 69 passes for 734 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. His efficiency under head coach Stefan Ptaszek’s offence has been outstanding, as Mac’s 10.0 yards per passing attempt ranks first in the country, and Archibald’s 168.8 QB rating (using the NCAA formula) also ranks atop the CIS.
One of the by-products of that efficient passing game has been a very balanced receiving corps. Seven Marauders have caught at least five passes this season, including Jordan Charter (11 rec, 220 yds, 2 TD), Rob Serviss (9 rec, 143 yds, 2 TD), and Jon Behie (7 rec, 127 yds, TD). Rookie Kevin D’Hollander continues to increase his role in the Marauder passing game, as he caught three passes for 57 yards against Windsor.
The Mac defence got a boost last week with the return of linebacker Eugene Boakye, who had missed the first three games of the season with a lower-body injury. Boakye made his presence felt against Windsor, with a sack, fumble recovery, and interception.
Linebacker Jason Arakgi continues to play outstanding football as well, as he notched 6 tackles and a pick against the Lancers, and remains Mac leading tackler (22.5) heading into this week’s action. Halfback Byron Dinter is also having a strong season with nine tackles last week, giving him 18.5 in 2006. Dinter’s five pass break-ups put him in a tie for first in Canada.
Queen’s comes into this weekend’s action losers of two straight after dropping a heartbreaker, 14-13 to Waterloo. Mike Giffin’s 2-yard touchdown run with just over a minute to play put the Gaels up by 5, however a Jon Morbey touchdown run with no time left on the clock gave Waterloo the win.
Super sophomore Dan Brannagan struggled against the Warriors, completing 16 of 27 pass attempts for 158 yards and an interception. However, the Burlington native remains one of the up and coming stars of the OUA. He has completed 80 of 143 passes for 1080 yards, 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He is a true gunslinger, as his touchdowns and interceptions both rank atop the CIS.
The Gaels run the ball only sparingly in 2006, as their 89-yard per game average ranks ninth in the ten-team OUA. Their longest run from scrimmage against Waterloo went nine yards. Billy Burke leads the team, gaining 167 yards on 46 carries, while notching three scores.
Senior receiver, Brad Smith makes up for the lack of running game almost by himself. The Quebec native ranks second in the country with 415 receiving yards, and is tied for first in the CIS with five touchdowns.
Adam Ross leads the Gaels with 24.5 tackles, and one sack. The Queen’s defence ranks second in the OUA, allowing only 295 yards per game, including only 162 yards through the air, good for second in the country.
The Game will be broadcast live on The Score television network at 2 P.M. The game will be broadcast on radio at 93.3 FM and on the internet at http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca.
Courtesy of McMaster University
