September 27, 2014

No. 4 McMaster earns 28-19 win over Queen's during Homecoming

Marshall Ferguson of Kingston, Ont., tossed two touchdowns and Chris Pezzetta of Burlington, Ont., ran for another as the No. 4 McMaster Marauders(5-0) defeated the Queen's Gaels (0-5) 28-19 during homecoming weekend at McMaster University.

Queen's 0-5-0

McMaster 5-0-0

Final

Queen's (0-5-0)

McMaster (5-0-0)

Photo by Michael P. Hall

Marshall Ferguson of Kingston, Ont., tossed two touchdowns and Chris Pezzetta of Burlington, Ont., ran for another as the No. 4 McMaster Marauders(5-0) defeated the Queen's Gaels (0-5) 28-19 during homecoming weekend at McMaster University.

Ferguson used eight receivers to tally 376 yards in passing with Daniel Vandervoort of Barrie, Ont., leading the Marauder receivers with 107 yards on four catches. Vandervoort also notched a first quarter touchdown while Isaiah Mels of London, Ont., adding the other touchdown reception.

Pezzetta's touchdown iced the game for the Marauders, scoring with just 3:16 remaining and pushing the score to 28-19. His play was crucial in the fourth quarter as he gained 59 of his game high 154 yards in the final frame.

For Queen's, Bill McPhee of Burlington, Ont., was 20 for 29 throwing for 277 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Alex Carroll of Victoria, B.C., was McPhee's top target hauling in 145 yards with a touchdown.

Doug Corby of Burlington, Ont., added the other Queen's touchdown while Jessie Andrew of Arnprior, Ont., posting 131 yards on the ground for the Gaels on 18 carries.

McMaster kicker Tyler Crapigna of Nepean, Ont., moved within one field goal of Lirim Hajrullahu (Western) who is the OUA's all-time career leader in field goals. Crapigna hit a 41 yard field goal in the first quarter to give him 76 all-time while Hajrullahu has the OUA record of 77. Sherbrooke's William Dion holds the CIS record with 82 career field goals.

Vandervoort sparked the Marauders opening touchdown drive catching a 41-yard pass to push the drive down field. He then capped the 77 play drive on a 23-yard touchdown reception from Ferguson to take a 7-0 lead.

Both teams would trade safeties along with field goals to put the score at 12-5 heading into halftime.

Queen's first touchdown of the game came late in the third quarter when McPhee hooked up with Carroll on a 17-yard strike to tie the game at 12.

McMaster gained the lead for good by pinning the Gaels deep in their zone and forcing Queen's to surrender a safety and a 14-12 score.

In the fourth, McMaster would strike first with Ferguson hitting Mels on a short three-yard touchdown pass to close a eight play, 75-yard drive. Queen's responded on the very next drive as McPhee hit Corby pm a five-yard strike to set the score at 21-19. McMaster immediately followed with and eight play, 76 yard drive with Pezzetta punching in a one-yard touchdown run to finish the scoring at 28-19.

Next week will see the Marauders faceoff against Western (4-0) in a battle of unbeaten teams while Queen's is home to York. Both Queen's and York are searching for their first win of the season.

Attendance at Ron Joyce Stadium was 5,427; a homecoming sellout.