McMaster quarterback Asher Hastings establishes new OUA single season TD record

HAMILTON, Ont. – McMaster Marauders quarterback Asher Hastings (Regina, Sask.) has cemented himself in OUA history after throwing 4 touchdowns in the 1st half tonight against the Waterloo Warriors at Ron Joyce Stadium.

McMaster quarterback Asher Hastings establishes new OUA single season TD record
October 8, 2015

HAMILTON, Ont. – McMaster Marauders quarterback Asher Hastings (Regina, Sask.) has cemented himself in OUA history after throwing 4 touchdowns in the 1st half tonight against the Waterloo Warriors at Ron Joyce Stadium.

Through only six games this season, the third-year Psychology student-athlete has already thrown 25 touchdown passes to break the OUA record for passing touchdowns in a season.

Hastings broke the previous record of 24 set by a pair of Queen's Gaels quarterbacks, Tommy Denison (2003) and Danny Brannagan (2008). With two games still remaining in the 2015 season, the 6'4" 218 lbs standout pivot from Regina, Sask. now appears poised to attack the CIS record of 30 touchdown passes held by Saint Mary's quarterback Chris Flynn set in 1989.

Heading into tonight's game against the Warriors, Hastings' 21 touchdown passes had him ranked sixth on the list behind some very notable names, including former Ottawa Gee-Gees quarterback Brad Sinopoli (22-2010) and Laurier Golden Hawks quarterback Bill Kubas (23-1994).  In addition to his record setting performance in 2003, Denison also threw 22 touchdown passes in 2002 which ties him with Sinopoli for fourth place.

Hastings also surpassed the McMaster record for touchdown passes in a single season, topping former quarterback Marshall Ferguson, who threw for 21 touchdowns in 2013.

Making the first CIS start of his career on Aug. 30 against Toronto, Hastings went 26 of 34 for 384 yards and five touchdowns as McMaster made a second half comeback to take down the Varsity Blues 55-33 to open the season.

The following week at home against the Ottawa Gee-Gees, he completed 24 of 35 passes for 373 yards and five more touchdowns in a 57-42 Marauders victory. 

Despite losing Week 4 33-23 to the rival Guelph Gryphons, Hastings still went 35 of 55 for 324 yards and three touchdowns. 

Hastings and the Marauders would take out their frustrations on the visiting York Lions the following week, as he was a surgical 20 of 25 for 306 yards and four more touchdowns, as McMaster cruised to a 67-10 Homecoming win. 

Last week on the road at Windsor, Hastings carved up the Lancers defence throwing for 374 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 44-19 win.

Entering play tonight, Hastings sat second in the OUA this season in completions (131), completion % (72.4), yards (1761) and yards per game (352.2).