Flying First Half Propels Ravens Past Windsor
(Windsor, ON) – The Carleton Ravens football team dominated both sides of the ball en route to a 62-12 victory over the Windsor Lancers in Week 3 of the OUA football season. Carleton (2-1) put up a twenty-two spot in the first quarter and never looked back, keeping pace with the rest of the OUA’s playoff contenders while sending the Lancers (0-3) to the bottom of the OUA in the process.
(Windsor, ON) – The Carleton Ravens football team dominated both sides of the ball en route to a 62-12 victory over the Windsor Lancers in Week 3 of the OUA football season. Carleton (2-1) put up a twenty-two spot in the first quarter and never looked back, keeping pace with the rest of the OUA's playoff contenders while sending the Lancers (0-3) to the bottom of the OUA in the process.
"Any time you get a win it's a good day," said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah, "obviously getting the win was our number one priority coming down here, and we were able to get out of here with a positive result, so I'm happy."
The Ravens coasted to the win despite the absence of team leaders Nate Behar (WR, London, ON) and Justin Howell (DB, Bradford, ON), who both missed Saturday's game with injury.
Carleton's offensive leaders sparkled against the Lancers before being lifted in the third quarter. Quarterback Jesse Mills (Halifax, NS) was 17-of-22 for 224 yards and three passing TDs, while running back Jahvari Bennett (Mississauga, ON) ate up 186 yards on the ground and picked up a pair of rushing TDs.
"Jesse (Mills)'s playing with a lot of confidence back there right now, playing very smart football, and he's making plays when he has to," said Sumarah of his quarterback, who now sits second in the OUA in completions (53) and touchdowns (6).
The Ravens led 37-0 at halftime thanks to dominating line play, big plays on offence, and a stifling blitz on defence. A penalty-filled second half saw Windsor begin to click on offence, and the Lancers managed to put up sixteen points.
"Our biggest change in the second half was us putting guys in that haven't necessarily got playing time," continued Sumarah, "like (quarterback) Jesse St. John playing three-quarters of the second half for us."
Defensively, Carleton posted season-highs in both sacks (5) and interceptions (4). Kene Onyeka (Brampton, ON) led the Ravens with 5.5 tackles (four for losses) and a sack, while Jeremy Rioux (Gatineau, QC), George Saloum (Calgary, AB), and Dem Ogunyinka (Ottawa, ON) also registered solo sacks.
CU special teams sensation Tunde Adeleke (Ottawa, ON) ran for his second punt return TD in as many weeks, taking a first quarter Anthony Malandruccolo punt 78 yards to the house in what will likely earn him another OUA Top Play this week.
"There are positives and negatives in every game," concluded Coach Sumarah, "I really liked that we came out of the half and put up two scores, showing consistent play, but we took some late penalties that I'm not happy about."
Source: Carleton Ravens