It is officially that time of the year again. Campus will soon be flooded with fans young and old, coming from far and wide, all to support the McMaster Marauders at Homecoming.
The “biggest party of the year” will start on Sept. 28 with preseason basketball, followed by a women’s rugby match against their rival Guelph Gryphons.
But the real kickoff will be on Sept. 30 at 1:00 p.m. when the Marauders football team will uphold tradition and devastate the York Lions once again.
One thing Marauders fans can depend on this homecoming is that the defence will not disappoint. With their season off to a 3-1 start, the defence has done a phenomenal job not only stopping plays, but creating them.
Currently fifth place in Ontario University Athletics, the defence has done a good job denying opposing teams from crossing the goal line in all three of their wins. It will be no problem continuing this trend against the eighth-place York Lions.
Mac also leads the OUA with eight interceptions, spearheaded by cornerback Nolan Putt, who leads the group with a total of three interceptions. Putt returned one of those picks for 84 yards to the six-yard line during Guelph’s homecoming game on Sept. 23.
The interception put running back Jordan Lyons in a great position to score a rushing touchdown that was followed by a strong kick from Adam Preocanin that solidified the Marauders’ 29-9 victory.
On York’s side of the field, third-year quarterback Brett Hunchak has thrown seven interceptions so far this season with an average completion percentage of 58.2. With such a dominant defence it will be extremely difficult for the Lions’ weaker offence, who boasts the lowest points for in the OUA, to make a dent on the scoreboard.
Though both York and Mac are among the few teams tied at second in the OUA with one defensive touchdown, defensive players like Putt and 2016 OUA All-Star Robbie Yochim have consistently exhibited such high levels of athleticism, there is a high chance of doubling their defensive touchdown total.
Mac’s defence should be able to easily defend their home turf while stacking up one or two interceptions and cause mayhem along the way.
Rookie quarterback Jackson White looked more than comfortable in his last two games as a starter. Though it took a little while for him to get into the swing of things, White’s growth as a university-level quarterback has been quite a sight to witness.
There was a total of 12,419 people in attendance at Guelph’s homecoming, so for White to be able to play as well as he did in such a hostile environment, he should be more than prepared for the atmosphere and pressure that will be present at Mac’s homecoming.
White is also supported by an offence that knows how to get the job done. Players like Lyons, who is currently fourth in rushing in the OUA, and McMaster record holder for career receptions Dan Petermann have been substantial in the Marauders’ receiving and rushing game.
Currently with the third highest pass completion percentage in the OUA, White has proven he can keep up with the passing game of McMaster quarterbacks before him. As long as the defence continues to bring the heat, White will have many opportunities to prove to the large home crowd exactly why they can depend on him.
For all the Marauder fans expecting a big show this homecoming, there is no need to worry because the Marauders will be more than ready to perform.
Year after year, the Marauders have beaten the York Lions football team by substantial margins: 64-2 in the 2016 season, 67-10 in 2015 and 49-2 in 2014.
When you add up Mac’s extensive winning streak against York with the fact that they are fresh off their pivotal win against the Gryphons and combine it with the atmosphere of their homecoming game, it is pretty obvious what is about to go down.
This year, Mac may be a younger and more inexperienced team, but there are several key players from their last homecoming game against York who still play on the current roster. Game-changers, including Jordan Lyons, linebacker Jake Heathcote and many more will be certain to uphold the standard that is expected of them.
Although the Marauders will be facing the Lions right after York’s first win of thea season, which came against their rival University of Toronto’s Varsity Blues, they do not pose a threat to Mac. The Marauders will be doing everything in their power to maintain their winning streak against York.
If you’ve been wondering what McMaster Marauders’ starting quarterback from 2013-2017 Asher Hastings has been up to, just know he has not gone too far.
After graduating from McMaster earlier this year with a degree in Sociology, Hastings was offered a job as a summer student with Labatt Brewing. But Hastings could not leave Mac behind.
Just because fans do not see Hastings suited up every Sunday, does not mean he’s no longer a key part of McMaster football. Starting this season, Hastings became the Marauders’ newest quarterbacks coach. By volunteering his evenings and weekends, the former starter is able to give back to the organization he grew up with while mentoring three young quarterbacks.
As quarterbacks coach, Hastings spends his time using his experience to teach third-year Dylan Astrom, and the Marauders’ two freshman quarterbacks, Jackson White and Andreas Dueck.
“Its like a brotherhood,” said Hastings on being their coach.
But more importantly, he sees his position as a mentorship role.
“You’re there mentoring these guys throughout every aspect of being a quarterback,” said Hastings. “It’s all about teaching them how to lead, how to be a good person, and how to make a great impact on and off the field - beyond the Xs and Os of football.”
Although Hastings knows everything there is to know about being a quarterback in Ontario University Athletics, the transition to becoming a quarterback coach has been an eye-opening experience.
“It really helps that he played in the system last year and we have a great relationship. He’s a younger coach and definitely a good friend on and off the field.”
Jackson White
Quarterback
McMaster football
“As a student athlete you don’t even really realize that these guys aren’t all getting paid. Not everyone is a full time coach and there’s a lot of hard work that goes in,” said Hastings.
He added that learning to share his “football obsession” with his work life has been challenging, but also an experience that he has learned a lot from.
“There are a lot of late nights and a lot going on behind the scenes that I am now a part of,” said Hastings. “But I get to be part of those conversations that shape and mould this football team going forward.”
Going forward, Hastings hopes to instill the importance of the quarterback legacy at McMaster with the younger quarterbacks.
“We take a lot of pride in what we do in the passing game,” said Hastings. “Keeping me around, I’m able to pass that message on that good is not good enough. I like that I’m able to be here and carry that message, so that it doesn’t get lost that it is such an honour and a privilege to be able to play quarterback at this school,” said Hastings.
Though “good is not good enough”, Hastings noted that he does not take too kindly to those in the stands yelling at Mac’s quarterbacks. Knowing what it feels like to be in their shoes, he stresses the fact that sometimes fans do not understand just how hard it is to be a quarterback.
“There’s a lot more going on than meets the eyes from the stands,” said Hastings. “These kids have to analyze what 24 guys are doing on the field in a split second. They have to be able to see what’s in front of them and that changes their reaction and what they physically do with the football.”
Though the position is not as easy as it seems, Hastings is confident that the three younger quarterbacks have what it takes to carry on the McMaster quarterback legacy.
The breakout star out of the trio who is surely carrying on the quarterback legacy is Jackson White. White, who started and played for the entire game last week against the Ottawa Gee-Gee’s, led Mac to a 24-7 victory where he threw for two touchdowns and 255 yards.
Although it seems pretty clear to most that Jackson White is the obvious choice to start, Coach Hastings promises that no matter who starts he is happy about the development of the three young quarterbacks.
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After a start to the season that featured a regular rotation of their three young quarterbacks, it looks like the Marauders may have finally settled on a starter. Freshman Jackson White from Cambridge, ON, made the start for the Marauders on Saturday, and was able to expand upon the minimal action he has already seen under centre.
In his first start, White posted a respectable stat line, throwing two touchdowns on 255 yards and completing 20/32 passes. White also continued to show his duel threat abilities, rushing for 63 yards on the day. However, the freshman’s first start was not completely spotless, giving up two interceptions to the Ottawa defence early in the game.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted to in the first half,” White said. “The first pick sailed on me, and I felt a bit nervous. But after that, I felt like we got things rolling. We got down into the red zone twice, but we miscommunicated and then I threw that pick – it hurt going into the half”.
A game that was poised to be a battle of two defensive powerhouses, the first half went as expected, with Ottawa heading into halftime up 4-0. However, following halftime locker room speeches, the momentum shifted in favour of the Marauders’ offence.
“Coach Knox got us fired up at halftime,” White added. “I thought that we, as an offence, had a great half in the second, probably our best half of the year. Obviously, you have to give credit to the defence, allowing just four points in the first half, and we had tons of safeties. They really played lights out.”
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The defence had another stellar game of the season, making game-changing plays once again that continues to anchor the team’s wins. The Marauders defence finished the game with four sacks, seven broken up passes, and held the Ottawa Gee-Gees to 138 yards of total offence.
While the defensive line and linebacker core have held the run game in check, the secondary has made it tough for any opposing quarterback to feel comfortable playing Mac. Defensive back Nolan Putt picked off another pass for his second interception of the season. A pass defence that thrives on competition for shutting down their opponents, their consistency can be attributed to their pre-game planning.
“It’s preparation, attention to detail and focus,” said Putt. “That’s what we hear from the staff and ourselves every week. That’s our number one priority, and we’ve been holding to it.”
This season has already shown Marauders fans that their defence is one of the best in the league. Yet once again, the offence had to fight hard throughout the game to get things going in the second half. This time, Mac was successful in putting points on the board.
Despite 192 yards in penalties, the Marauders were able to capitalize on the 89 penalty yards given up by the visiting team. Given the amount of flags being thrown, the offensive game was characterized as a battle by head coach Greg Knox. In the face of this, White was able to lead the Marauders offence to the end zone on the first drive of the second half.
“We limited our mistakes,” Knox said. “We played with more confidence, and hopefully, although we’re a young and inexperienced team, we’re learning from those mistakes. We responded well in the second half and came out with some pepper.”
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Knox highlighted how White progressed well over the course of the game, using this game as an opportunity to work on his decision-making ability as a quarterback. Often, it can be tough to stick through offensive struggles as a member of a team’s defence, but the Marauders were able to do that against the visiting Gee-Gees.
“We trust the process,” Putt said. “That’s what the offence tells us every game, to trust their process and believe that they’ll get us there. We know that they’ll eventually get it going, and today they really did.”
This Saturday will feature a rematch of the 2016 Ontario University Athletics quarterfinals as the Guelph Gryphons will host the Marauders for their Homecoming game. Traveling to Alumni Stadium, Mac will face a strong team in a difficult environment.
“We expect every game to be tough,” Knox said. “We’re taking these one at a time. It’s their Homecoming, and we got them a couple of times last year. They’re going to be loaded up for that, but that’s fine, because so are we.”
In a season mired in uncertainty at quarterback and struggles on the offensive front, the Marauders have proven they are back on track and able to produce on the scoreboard. Boasting a more balanced game on both sides of the ball, the Gryphons are the next team in the way of a steaming Mac team.
The highly anticipated home opener for the U Sports No. 7 McMaster Marauders against No. 4 Western Mustangs left Mac fans and players disappointed after a 29-14 loss.
With a total of only 13 first downs for the entire game, the Marauders’ young and inexperienced offence had a hard time against the Mustangs’ more seasoned defence.
All three quarterbacks got a chance to touch the ball throughout the game. Dylan Astrom played briefly in the first quarter, followed by Andres Dueck who played the majority of the first and the entire second quarter, and finishing with Jackson White who played the entire second half. Yet some of the most exciting plays of the game were thanks to the Marauders’ defence.
With nine junior and senior defensive starters, even when losing, the defence was still able to create much needed game changing plays. Mac is currently tied at second in the country with five interceptions, while sophomore cornerback Robbie Yochim is tied for second in individual interceptions.
When asked if the defence was proud of their current national interception statistic, Yochim praised his teammates, but knows they have to work harder if they want to be consistent winners.
“Our defensive backs are really skilled this year. We’ve come along way since last year,” said Yochim. “If we clean up all those edges and dot those Is and cross those Ts, we’re going to be really good on defence. You never want to learn a lesson with a loss but this is definitely a lesson to be learned for us.”
Both Yochim and McMaster’s current defensive leader, senior linebacker Eric Mezzalira, attribute the defence’s success to the seniority, but both know there is still a lot of room to grow for the team as a whole.
“We have a lot of seniors on our team. In our defensive front we have a lot of older guys so were kind of setting the tone for the younger guys coming in and they’re really picking it up. It’s good to see that they’re learning from us,” said Mezzalira.
“We got too many mistakes out there on every side of the ball,” added Yochim. Defence is making too many errors. Special teams had that one block where we didn’t seal the edge and offence had some things they messed up on as well. We just really have to clean up our game and have a solid game all around next time.”
Although there is room for improvement for defence, they were still able to make key plays that would set up offensive scoring opportunities. The Marauders’ offence was able to score two touchdowns due to crucial interceptions forced by the defence.
Leading by example, senior linebacker Jake Heathcote picked the ball off Western’s quarterback Chris Merchant and returned it 34 yards. The return set up Mac’s running back Jordan Lyons to score the Marauders’ first touchdown of the day.
"We just really have to clean up our game and have a solid game all around next time."
Robbie Yochim
Cornerback
McMaster football
Sophomore cornerback Nolan Putt later followed in the footsteps of Heathcote, intercepting Western’s Stevenson Bone’s pass. This allowed rookie quarterback Jackson White to put a 33-yard rushing touchdown on the board, the first touchdown of his career.
While unable to stop the Mustangs, it is obvious that Mac’s defence is able to make the big plays that they need to.
“The expectation is that we can play good defensive football and be opportunistic, but we’re still making mistakes all over the place,” said head coach Greg Knox. “From a coaching perspective, we got to figure out what needs to happen in our preparation to start limiting those mistakes, and we need to be better next week.”
With the number of upper-year defensive players starting, that expectation is undeniable. Although with much younger key players, such as first-year quarterbacks White and Dueck, there is still room and time for improvement.
Mac’s perseverance was definitely tested against Western. Coming off of a preseason win against the Saskatchewan Huskies and their first regular season win against the Carleton Ravens, it was their first true taste of being down and out this season.
“I think we played gritty football. We’re learning what the definition of grit and determination is at this level. The tale of the game isn’t about how much we wanted it, it’s about if we were able to limit our mistakes. I think that’s the telling tale,” said Knox.
Next up the Marauders will play the Ottawa Gee Gees in Hamilton. The last time the two teams met in Ottawa, the Marauders lost 30-8.
“[The loss to Western is] a wake up call. We got Ottawa next week and we got to be ready to go,” said White. “Our defence played well, we just have to be better on offence.”
For next week’s game against the Gee Gees, the Marauders will have the advantage of playing at home, as well as the loss to Western to learn from. This will give Mac ample opportunity to clean up their game and play good football on both sides of the ball.
With leaders like Robbie Yochim, Eric Mezzalira, and Jake Heathcote, and a so far promising future for White, McMaster football should be in good hands.
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The Marauders began their season in an unusual way by taking their bye week during the first week of the Ontario University Athletics season. While other teams were starting their regular season, McMaster had the opportunity to play host to the Saskatchewan Huskies for the first time in team history. This was also the first time since 1994 that the Marauders have played an interlock preseason game.
“This was a good opportunity for us to have a team from out of conference to fill that void so I don’t think it’s detrimental,” said head coach Greg Knox following the game. “Otherwise, byes first week aren’t that fun, frankly.”
While it can be easy to dismiss preseason games in any sport, they allow teams to test out new players and determine the starters in competitive positions. University sports do not usually have preseason games, but this was a great opportunity for the team’s youngest recruits to get the feel of the game at a university level prior to the beginning of the regular season.
“This was a great opportunity for the team’s youngest recruits to get the feel of the game at a university level prior to the beginning of the regular season.”
Greg Knox
Head coach
McMaster Football
While the Marauders have many returning players, they had to deal with many impactful departures as well. Former star wide receiver Danny Vandervoort has moved on to the Canadian Football League. Former starting quarterback Asher Hastings and running back Chris Pezzetta both finished their eligibility and moved on to positional coaching for the Marauders.
Any concern over whether or not the Marauders could pick up where they left off were quickly put to rest as the Marauders pulled off impressive back-to-back wins. The preseason game against the Huskies ended in a solid 22-10 win and was followed by a 23-9 win against the Carleton Ravens. It is clear the 2017 McMaster football team has the potential to have a great season.
Despite the win, the Marauders’ game against Saskatchewan began with a slow start. The Huskies were the first to get points on the board, setting the tone for the first quarter. The Marauders trailed behind 7-0 as the offence led by sophomore quarterback Dylan Astrom struggled to move the ball.
Looking to the fill the void following Asher Hastings’ departure, McMaster used this game as a chance to give the three quarterbacks on their roster some playing time. Next up was newcomer quarterback Jackson White, whose play changed the pace in the game quickly when he entered the game in the second quarter.
Following star kicker Adam Preocanin’s 25-yard field goal, White completed an impressive 28-yard touchdown pass to Brett Ledingham. With the Marauders now in the lead 13-7, both offence and defence were beginning to pick up momentum and cornerback Nolan Putt picked off the first of four Marauders interceptions of the night. White finished the quarter with an impressive 131 yards on seven completions.
Something finally clicked for Mac in the second quarter as they headed into the second half up 13-7.
“You could define that game less about what they were doing and more about what we weren’t doing in terms of some mental mistakes, which you can expect early on in the season,” explained Knox.
By the third quarter, both sides of the ball were now comfortable showing off their speed. Freshman quarterback Andreas Dueck stepped in for the Marauders, starting and finishing the second half. The Winnipeg native maintained composure throughout the integral parts of the game.
In the fourth quarter, the Huskies kicked a 45-yard field goal and were able to bring the score to 10-15. It was beginning to look like a close game. However, strong efforts from McMaster’s leading receiver Tommy Neild and Jordan Lyons’ three yard touchdown with 58 seconds left in the game allowed Adam Preocanin’s fourth field goal to seal the game for the home team.
Freshman running back Justice Allin impressed with a few game-breaking runs, leading McMaster in rushing with 97 yards and splitting the backfield with Jordan Lyons’ 80 yards. On the other side of the ball, veteran Hassan Berry led the defence with six tackles and one sack.
“[It was] a good first step. We learned a lot. I think we competed, a little shaky start all around. We’re a very young group, an inexperienced group, but I thought that we showed good composure and did enough to win a football game we wanted to win.”
Building off their strong preseason game, the Marauders traveled to MNP Park in their first regular season game to face off against the Carleton Ravens. Coming off of a 22-17 road win against the Queen’s Gaels, the Ravens looked poised to challenged the Marauders in their home opener.
However, the Marauders did not let the Ravens begin their season with two straight wins. In a game filled with penalties, sacks and turnovers, the Marauders’ capitalized on Carleton’s mistakes. Despite only 142 yards of total offence, exactly half of the Ravens’ total, the Marauders were able to execute a dominant 23-9 win.
As the Marauders’ new starting signal caller, Andreas Dueck struck early by throwing a five yard touchdown pass to Tommy Nield. That would be the highlight of the Marauders’ passing game as Dueck would finish 9 of 22 for 65 yards and an interception.
While not accumulating many passing yards, Dueck showed off why he was chosen to start the game by showcasing an impressive ability to scramble and throw on the run. Dueck racked up 19 rushing yards of his own to pick up a couple of first downs with his feet.
The Marauders began another game slowly as they finished the first quarter leading 7-2 and letting the Ravens march the ball down the field on several drives, but stopping them from converting them to points. The pace of the game changed in the second quarter as McMaster took advantage of the Ravens’ turnovers to break out for 16 points.
Running back Jordan Lyons was the source of the majority of the Marauders’ yardage for the game, responsible for 94 yards on 21 carries. Lyons almost scored a touchdown after a 25-yard run, but fumbled close to the goal line. The ball was luckily recovered by the Marauders’ Mitch O’Connor and essentially sealed the game for the road team.
The Marauder’s defence shined brightly under the lights in Ottawa, allowing only three points and coming away with six turnovers, including a pick-six snagged by OUA All-Star cornerback Robbie Yochim. The defence also posted five sacks, competing with the Ravens’ defensive line who had seven sacks of their own.
One bright spot for the Ravens was second-year running back Nathan Carter who was able to break off for several big runs, finishing the game with an impressive 150 yards on 22 carries. Carleton will head to Laurier next week to see if they can bounce back from this loss.
The Marauders will now play host to the Western Mustangs on Sept. 9. The Mustangs will be a tough test for the Marauders after opening their season with a commanding 66-3 win over the York Lions. If McMaster’s defence can continue their dominance and they can get their passing game going, the Marauders can go far in their 2017 season.
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By: Eamon Hillis
In preparation for the upcoming 2017 season, the McMaster football program has made significant staffing changes within their organization.
Spearheaded by head coach Greg Knox, these changes come following a disappointing 2016 season in which the Marauders were eliminated in the Ontario University Athletics semi-final by Wilfred Laurier.
One of the team’s most intriguing additions this off-season is the former All-Canadian Marauder Mike Daly as defensive assistant. Daly, who is currently a defensive back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, saw much success during his time at Mac. Throughout his five seasons as a Marauder, he recorded and impressive 95 tackles and 10 interceptions in 38 games and was an integral part of McMaster’s historic 2011 Vanier Cup victory.
During Daly’s years at McMaster (2008-2013), Knox worked as the team’s defensive coordinator. Under Knox’s leadership, Daly and the Marauder defence were tremendously successful, earning a reputation as one of the best units in the nation. During this time, Knox and Daly built a strong relationship, one that has continued to this day. When coach Knox decided to make adjustments for next season, Daly was on the shortlist.
“Knox was my defensive coordinator when I was at Mac for four of my five years,” Daly said. “He went on to coach the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as I was playing for the Tiger-Cats, and we kept our relationship going. As soon as he got hired back at McMaster, he got in touch with me and offered me an opportunity to become involved. I jumped all over it.”
This is Daly’s first full-time coaching position, but his hiring does not come as a surprise. The Ti-Cats DB has continued to assist the program with its recruiting and player development during the off-season.
“I had been playing in Hamilton, so it was easy for me to stay involved with McMaster,” Daly said. “I had a really great experience here and built good relationships with the coaches. I always wanted to give support and I figured that if I could help with the coaching while still playing, I could set myself up well for the future and I could continue to learn from the more experienced guys.”
Considering the Marauders’ OUA semi-final loss this past season, many have speculated that the reason for Knox’s adjustments is a sense of dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance. But Daly seems understanding of last year’s outcome, and does not feel that significant system changes need to be made.
“It’s tough in football when the success of your season is dependent upon on a single playoff game. I would say however that the consensus within the coaching staff is that the team underperformed. I don’t believe there will be major changes made to the defensive system… Knox has been a coach in this league for a long time, and his systems have proven to work.”
Daly will continue his career as a Hamilton Tiger-Cat next season, while also serving as defensive assistant for the Marauders. Daly has played 49 games with the Tiger-Cats over the past three seasons, recording 53 tackles and four interceptions.
“Coaching is something I love doing, and I would do it for free. If somebody is willing to pay me, I’ll accept that too.”
By: Griffin Marsh
Saturday marked a difficult end to the McMaster football team’s 2016 season.
The Marauders suffered a disappointing loss to the University Sports No. 5 ranked Laurier Golden Hawks on Nov. 5, falling 21-19 after coming up just short on a late comeback attempt.
It is no surprise that this team, often ranked in the Top 10 in Canada, had Vanier Cup goals in mind. To bow out in the Ontario University Athletics semi-finals was not the end they had envisioned.
Following a solid victory against Guelph on Oct. 29, things were looking strong for the Marauders. Head coach Greg Knox was happy to get that first win out of the way.
“We are at a stage where we are playing every game like it is our last,” Knox said after the win over Guelph. “Getting that win under our belt was important because it is part of those steps towards reaching our goal.”
But coming into Laurier’s home, a team with an extra week’s rest and one they had not faced yet this season was never going to be easy. Still, for coach Knox and the rest of the squad, the game plan and preparation was business as usual.
“[We] have a season’s worth of film to watch and are preparing accordingly.”
Even with the game film and week of preparation, McMaster came up just short against Laurier. This game that was every bit as close as the score line suggests.
McMaster got off to a slow start, trailing Laurier 20-6 at the half, with all of McMaster’s points coming from rookie kicker Adam Preocanin on two field goals.
The second half favoured the Marauders, who dominated the score sheet in as third-year quarterback Asher Hastings connected with receivers Dan Petermann and Max Cameron. They were unable to tie things up at near the end of the game, as they failed the two-point conversion attempt on the second touchdown.
A few more pushes from McMaster’s offense produced nothing, as Laurier’s No. 4 ranked defense for points allowed per game, held strong at the end.
A real positive from this game was the performance of Hastings. Coming off the heels of an impressive quarterfinal performance against Guelph, Hastings threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 32 of 47 passes for an efficient 68 per cent. For Knox, this came as no surprise.
“Ash is a leader on and off the field for us,” he said. “We count on him to manage our offence and perform on the field. He is a big part of our success on the field and in the locker room.”
Other notable performers were wideouts Danny Vandervoort and Dan Petermann, who racked up 116 and 131 receiving yards respectively.
While this season ends earlier than McMaster would have liked, the future continues to be exciting for the program. Hastings still has two years of eligibility and his performances improved as the season went on.
Similarly, both Petermann and Vandervoort are eligible to come back next season, with Vandervoort finishing this season ranked 10th nationally for yards per game, averaging 78.9. The longer Hastings is throwing to a consistent core of receivers, the better the chances are for the Marauders to improve on their journey from this year.
It may not be a Vanier Cup appearance this year at our local Tim Hortons Field, but this team will be contenders for years to come. A disappointing end, but that was still a great season of tough, Marauder-style football.
By: Justin Parker
Defence ultimately decideS who moves on in the playoffs. This time, Mac stood tall.
The Marauders are headed to the Ontario University Athletics semi-finals following a nail-biter ending that saw Guelph march down the field during the final minute of regulation.
Down six, Guelph nearly completed the comeback if it weren’t for fifth-year defensive back Keldyn Ahlstedt’s last-second interception in the Marauders’ end zone, sealing the game for the Marauders.
“I was just reading the quarterback,” Ahlstedt said after the game. “Coaches always say: see it, trust it, believe it, do it. That’s what I did and it paid off.
The game against Guelph followed a familiar pattern for the Marauders: a frustrating first half followed by a stronger and more cohesive second half. Again, the dichotomy between the two halves was evident in this game which saw 14 of the Marauders’ 17 points scored in the second half.
Head coach Greg Knox recognizes this pattern and how the struggling first half offence made the game closer than expected.
“We didn’t do enough of the right things offensively,” Knox said. “Hats off to Guelph every step of the way, they did a good job. They were a tough opponent today. We rallied at halftime and did what we needed to do in the second half.”
“Ultimately, the emotion we played with and our execution got us there. It’s something we have to try to remedy: offensively we’re struggling in the first half of games. We did a good job adjusting in the third quarter. At the end of the day, we’ll take it.”
Despite a frustrating first half that saw the Gryphons go into the locker room up 10-3, grit and determination allowed McMaster to climb back into the game and pull out the win. Quarterback Asher Hastings, who threw for 317 yards and a touchdown (187 yards in the second half) noted the perseverance that brought them back into the game in the second half had a lot to do with veteran players performing in big moments.
“[There are] a couple plays in that game I’ll never forget and that’s Max Cameron catching the ball on a check down, lunging his body under three Gryphons, and getting absolutely destroyed but giving us an opportunity to get the first down,” Hastings said. “Same thing with Dany Vandervoort, catching a check down, driving his legs, and never quitting. That’s just seniors laying their bodies on the line because they want to live to fight another day.”
Many veteran players like Ahlstedt feel the pressure that any game could be their last . The nostalgia of preparing for the game and taking the field for possibly the last time is not lost on any of these players.
“I was just thinking today– five years ago, my first home game was against Guelph,” Ahlstedt said. “Five years later, my last home game was against Guelph. Same outcome–it’s kind of cool it ended that way. It’s the playoffs; you’re never guaranteed tomorrow. I’m just looking forward to being able to play another game of football and competing against a very, very good team.”
Looking ahead to their semi-final game against no. 3 ranked Laurier next week, the Marauders are in for another arduous matchup in Waterloo. Laurier is currently ranked in second in points scored per game (42.6) and points allowed per game (15.8). Laurier is coming off a first-round bye following their 38-9 season ending win over Windsor. With a team that ranks first in sacks (36) and defensive touchdowns (six)w, Hastings expects another tough game for the Marauders.
“They’re one of the best defences in Canada,” Hastings said. “They really bring it on defence so it’s going to be tough for us offensively. We are going to have a great week of preparation and really stay dialed in and focused, because this one was way too close.”
“It’s the playoffs. You can’t take any team for granted,” said Ahlstedt. “Their record says it all: they’re 7-1. They’re going to give us their best game, and we’re going to give them our best game, so it’s going to be a dog fight.”
The Marauders have a tough road ahead, but for a team full of veterans and resilience, they will bring the fight to anyone standing in their way.
By: Justin Parker
The McMaster football team traveled to London on Oct. 22, in a three-way tie with Western and Laurier for first place in the Ontario University Athletics standings. After a hard fought game that pitted McMaster’s top defence against Western’s high-powered offence, the Mustangs ultimately came out on top 19-18, dropping Mac to third place in the OUA heading into the playoffs.
High winds hindered both teams in their attempts to put points on the board.
“Certainly, the wind presented challenges for our offence, and so did the Mustang defence,” head coach Greg Knox said. “But it was tough sledding against the wind. You still got to throw the ball, but it certainly limits what you can do offensively.”
The high winds and tough Mustang defence lead the Marauders to rely on their run game, a factor Knox stressed heading into the game.
“We have been progressing well over the season. We have been able to run the ball successfully. In order for us to be successful on Saturday we are going to have to establish our run game. We definitely got our work cut out for us,” he said in advance of the game.
However, the running game fell short, only managing 76 total yards throughout the game. After a strong display of offence on the ground against York in their last game with 356 rushing yards, the Marauders run game was held to under 100 yards for the first time since their Sept. 10 loss to Ottawa, and for only the third time this season.
“We struggled getting enough push up front. Ultimately, I thought that Western did a good job. They’re a good football team,” said Knox.
Despite a strong standing by the Marauder defence, including two interceptions and two forced fumbles, minor mistakes in this tight game cost McMaster. Led by third-year defensive lineman Hassan Barry (two sacks, two and a half tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles), Western was held well below their 49.1 points per game average and were mostly shut out in the second half, only scoring a fourth quarter rouge that would ultimately be the winning point.
Heading into the postseason, the Marauders look to regain their momentum this weekend at home as they play host to sixth-place Guelph. McMaster beat Guelph earlier this season in a 27-15 homecoming win, where running back Chris Pezzetta rushed for 143 yards.
Guelph is winless on the road this season, and ranks sixth in the OUA in points allowed per game (28.4), whereas McMaster boasts the lowest points per game allowed (10.9).
Despite the statistical advantage, Knox is more concerned about the performance of the Marauders themselves.
“If we play to our potential, I like to think that we will be able to beat them again. Frankly, I’m less concerned about Guelph or any of our opponents. I’m more concerned about taking care of our business internally in terms of our preparation and focus.”
“It’s playoff football, so you know the sudden death nature is not lost on us,” he added.
Everything looks to be in place for the Marauders to make a formidable run in the playoffs. As long as they play their game and execute, their sturdy defence can take them far.
Momentum in sports is a tricky thing. Sometimes it isn’t enough to be good when you need it.
As a team, you have to play well before that big game, or that deep playoff run, to fine-tune your performances and ensure that, when the time comes, you are not starting from scratch. With a four-game win streak under their belt, the Mac men know this better than anyone, and are looking to ride that momentum when it matters most.
Sitting on a 6-1 record, McMaster has capitalized on two strong games to affix themselves atop the Ontario University Athletics leaderboard. Mac currently sits in a three-way tie with the Western Mustangs and the Laurier Golden Hawks. Dominant wins against Queen’s (36-6) and York (64-2) in the last two weeks have given Mac plenty of confidence to build on as they head into the final act of the season, a showdown on the road against the rival Mustangs.
“[The win streak] feels good going in,” said fifth-year wide receiver Bennett Megarry. “But the Ottawa game is definitely something we [have] been thinking about every week and we want another shot at them. Going into this week playing Western, this game has an explanation point on it. We are excited to get at them, and it will be a good test of where we are at.”
With a top seed and a first-round playoff bye hanging in the balance, a win for the Marauders has the ability to shape their entire playoff run, but it won’t be easy. Currently ranked third in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports rankings while sporting a five-game win streak, the Western Mustangs have been incredible offensively, besting two other CIS top 10 teams in Ottawa and Laurier and putting up a stunning 113 points in the process.
“It’s the biggest game of the season,” said fifth-year linebacker Cole Munden. “They have a solid running game, they have a big [offensive] line, good blocking… they always bring it, so we have to make sure we come ready.”
Luckily, Mac has its own weapons to rely on. Running back Chris Pezzetta is putting up the best numbers of his career, with 646 yards and 92.3 yards per game this season, good enough for fifth in the OUA. Against York, Pezzetta ran for 162 yards on 14 carries and a pair of touchdowns in just two quarters of play, setting a single game career best of 11.6 yards per carry in the process.
“I honestly can not say a single bad thing about that guy,” said Megarry. “Perseverance, determination and at the end of the day a love of the sport, it is something that as a teammate your rarely see at that level. He’s been playing lights out.”
Pezzetta wasn’t the only record setting performance. Rookie wunderkind Adam Preocanin went a perfect seven for seven in field goal conversions against Queen’s, marking a new McMaster best and tying the OUA record set by Toronto’s Lance Chomyc in 1982. Against York he added two more field goals to match the McMaster single-season record of 24, putting him two back of Guelph’s Daniel Ferraro’s 2014 OUA and CIS single-season records heading into the Western matchup.
Perocanin’s success could also spell trouble for the Marauders, who have struggled converting long drives into touchdowns so far this year. Despite Perocanin’s 24 points, Mac only found their way into the end zone once against Queen’s, and will need to create seven-point drives if they want to stay competitive with the Mustangs.
They will also need a strong defensive stance to limit Western’s scoring chances. Fifth-year defensive end Mike Kashak has been a bright spot for Mac, recording 4.5 quarterback sacks for losses of 37 yards, seven total tackles, and a forced fumble against Queen’s. His impressive performance earned him the CIS defensive player of the week award, and his CIS leading-11.5 sacks puts him one sack shy of the national single-season record set in 2012 by former McMaster teammate Ben D’Aguilar.
“He is a very well-spoken leader,” said Munden. “He brings a lot of tenacity to the field, and a lot of other players, myself included, we feed off of it.”
Even with strong performances leading into the last week, McMaster’s playoff picture is still uncertain. The Mac men will all have to be at their best if they want to set themselves up for a successful run.
But that’s the thing about momentum; you never know how far it will take you.
