NO. 5 QUEEN'S BATTLE NO. 10 LAURIER
The Gaels are coming off a thrilling 41-30 victory over the Guelph Gryphon’s last week, while Laurier lost to No. 4 Western 31-20. Queen’s will be looking for revenge from last year’s 23-4 regular season loss and have not beaten the Golden Hawks since 2003.
Mike Giffin (Kingston, Ont.) will be a primary focus for the Golden Hawks as the Gaels running back leads the nation in rushing with 355 yards. He is also on a 12 regular season game streak compiling 100 yards or more. Quarterback Dan Brannagan (Burlington, Ont.) has quietly made his mark this season and leads the country in yards thrown with 725. He has recorded five touchdown passes which is one higher than Josh Sacobie of the Ottawa Gee Gees to lead the country.
Head Coach Pat Sheahan will have a decision to make with his deep receiving corps. Last week Chris Ioannides (Toronto) came off the bench to replace the injured Scott Stinson (North Bay, Ont.). Ioannides responded with a career performance making seven receptions for 126 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
Jim Allin (Belleville, Ont.) also is making his mark on the 2008 season and is the nation’s leading punt-returner having compiled 290 yards. Sheahan referred to Allin as a “returner of consequence” prior to last week’s game and he will again be a primary threat in Queen’s arsenal.
Allin is also coming off a defensive performance which included him etching his name in Queen’s record books. Last week against Guelph, Allin recorded a pass break-up to overtake Kirby Calvert as all-time leading defender in pass break-ups at Queen’s University. Thaine Carter (Nanaimo, B.C.) continues to anchor the defence leading the OUA and CIS in tackles. He is followed by teammates Alex Daprato (Toronto, Ont.) and T.J. Leeper (London, Ont.)
The Golden Hawks are a much younger team than Queen’s faced last year, but they are hungry for a win after a disappointing loss against Western last week.
Laurier’s Luke Thompson (London, Ont.) and Ian Noble (West Vancouver, B.C.) have split time at the quarterback position with Noble starting in week one and Thompson playing in week two. Both are capable having recorded over 200 yards passing, however Laurier leads the OUA in interceptions thrown with five.
Laurier does possess a number of quality receivers and spreads the ball around well with four of their receivers posting over 50 yards in the first two games. Shamawd Chambers (Markham, Ont.) is the team’s primary target earning nine receptions for 99 yards to date. Jeff Emberley (Oakville, Ont.) is close behind having caught six passes for 94 yards and one touchdown.
Ryan Lynch (Waterloo, Ont.) anchors the Golden Hawks’ running game and through two games he has compiled 104 yards in 26 attempts on the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball Giancarlo Rapanaro (Niagara Falls, Ont.) is the team leader combining for 13.5 total tackles and registering one sack. Chima Ihekwoaba (Burlington, Ont.) leads Laurier in quarterback sacks posting two.
This week fans are encouraged to wear red in support of Kingston’s military families on Military Appreciation & Legacy Day. Special demonstrations and exhibits are planned. Also at halftime, Queen’s will honour the championship teams from 1963, 1968, 1978 and 1983.
Tickets for the game can be purchased by calling 613.533.2500 or on game day at the gate.
NOTES: Jim Allin’s brother Scott is a member of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. Scott Allin is in his second year of eligibility and has not dressed for the Golden Hawks this season.
Source: Gaels Athletics