September 1, 2014

McMaster rallies for 34-27 overtime victory over Guelph in season opener

HAMILTON (September, 1, 2014) – Marshall Ferguson of Kingston, Ont., scored the game winning touchdown as the McMaster Marauders came from behind to edge the Guelph Gryphons 34-27 in overtime during the season opener of OUA football.

Guelph 0-1

McMaster 1-0

00:00 - OT

Guelph (0-1)

McMaster (1-0)

HAMILTON (September, 1, 2014) – Marshall Ferguson of Kingston, Ont., help led the McMaster Marauders to a thrilling 34-27 overtime victory over the Guelph Gryphons as the 2014 OUA football season kicked off on Labour Day Monday.

McMaster trailed Guelph 24-9 late in the third quarter before Ferguson and the Marauders came alive and burst for 18 points in the final 15 minutes and 21 seconds to pull even at 27 setting up a thrilling overtime ending.

Ferguson scored the game winning touchdown on a nine-yard broken bootleg on the Marauders only possession of overtime while Guelph failed to score with their possession. The fifth-year quarterback finished the game passing for 303-yards with two touchdowns in the air as well as the game winner on the ground.

"We put together a good second half and that was a great win," said Ferguson. "They're a good team and we're going to see them again. They are the top end of the OUA and we saw while they are so competitive. We also showed when we turn it on we can play with or beat anybody."

The game got interesting with 2:34 remaining in the fourth when Ferguson found Max Cameron of St. Catharines, Ont., for a decisive 33-yard touchdown strike. That set up the game tying two point conversion which saw Ben O'Connor of Kingston, Ont., convert to deadlock the game at 27-27.

For their part, the Gryphons had their chances to shut down the Marauders comeback blocking two field goals including a potential game winner with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

Guelph's Jazz Lindsey of Markham, Ont. finished 14 of 30 for 195 yards and one touchdown pass while Rob Farquharso of Niagara Falls, Ont., was the game's leading rusher posting 143 yards on 21 attempts with a touchdown score.

While head coach Stefan Ptaszek noted that his team was far from perfect he was impressed at his team's determination to come from behind and earn the victory.

"It's huge. All the intangibles were on display there," said Pataszek. "The X's and O's and lots of stuff we can clean up but that's all stuff we can teach; the heart is all there."

The Marauders comeback started when Ferguson connected with Daniel Peterman of Stoney Creek, Ont., on a 12-yard strike with 21 seconds remaining in the third. Ferguson followed that with a two-point conversion pass to Max Cameron of St. Catharines, Ont. to pull the score 24-17. The Marauders tacked on an additional two points after pinning Guelph deep in their zone forcing them to concede a safety.

Guelph added an 18-yard field goal by Daniel Ferro Ashburn, Ont., to push the score to 27-19 before the Marauders put the finishing touches on their come from behind victory..

Marauders never had a led in the game up until the game winning touchdown with Guelph building a what looked like a comfortable 24-9 lead with Lindsey connecting with Alex Charette of St. Catharines, Ont. for a touchdown and the Farquharso touchdown. Guelph also was able to pin the McMaster offence deep in its own zone forcing the Marauders to surrender two safeties for a total of four points.

Despite having two field goals blocked including a game winner, McMaster's Tyler Crapigna of Nepean, Ont. hit three field goals scoring from 21, 23 and 37 yards. Those points accounted for McMasters scoring up until the third-quarter comeback.

Attendance at the season opening game at Ron Joyce Stadium was a sellout of 5,427.

Source: McMaster Marauders