Western Mustangs win rematch with Laurier and move on to face Windsor in OUA semi-finals
The Western Mustangs made sure that they were not going to lose a shootout at Ol’ Western Aiumni Stadium a second time.
A 24-point second quarter propelled Western to a 58-41 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 31 in an OUA Quarter-fnal matchup.
Laurier had come to London a week earlier and had beaten the Mustangs by almost the exact same score, 55-39.
That victory by the Golden Hawks allowed them to get into the playoffs and set up a rematch.
Laurier even cast the shadow of an ol’ rerun by holding Western to three plays and a punt on their first possession and then by going down the field for a touchdown less than four minutes into the game.
The Mustangs rallied the cavalry and rode high from there for the rest of the half as the Mustangs put up 34 straight points.
Three of those TDs came on the ground as Jerome Rancourt and Ethan Dolby each scored on one-yard runs and Western quarterback Ben Casselman took the ball into the end zone from 11 yards out.
Casselman also found Dasani McIntosh for a touchdown in what would be a massive day overall for McIntosh. He caught nine passes for 171 yards overall.
A late touchdown by the Golden Hawks acted a little like an ol’ fuse in a powder keg that tightened the score to 34-14 at the break and set the stage for a combined 51 points in the second half.
Laurier would cut the lead to 13 twice and then to ten points with 2:04 remaining but each time Western had a response.
Casselman threw a TD pass to Jackson Taylor in the third quarter and Jack Kelly and Geoff Clubine each recorded rushing touchdowns and the Western defence contained the OUA’s leading receiver, Ryan Hughes as they held him to just three catches.
Casselman ended the day 21-for-30 for 405 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Goldens Hawks QB Will Russell threw for 440 yards and five TD passes but was intercepted twice by Nathan Summers and Cyrus McGarrell who laid a huge hit late in the second quarter.
Western will now host the Windsor Lancers in an OUA semi-final on Nov. 7 at Western Alumni Stadium.
The Ottawa Gee Gees will visit Queen’s in the other semi after Ottawa upset McMaster 33-17.