10 Things: OUA Week Six

Merchant and Mustangs Get Win in Windsor

You can’t spell Windsor with out win and there was a win Windsor this weekend… it just wasn’t the Lancers. In a commanding 58-25 win over the Lancers, Mustangs’ Chris Merchant continued what has been an impressive 2019 campaign.

In the win Merchant threw for 340 yards on 27 attempts and completed 18. Merchant would add 4 passing touchdowns averaging 43.5 yards per touchdown thrown, which included an 82 yard catch and run. Merchant and the Mustangs have been one of the most dominant offences in the OUA this season and one could fully expect them to be competing for the Yates cup come the end of the season.

Toronto is Human After All

After an unexpected hot start the Toronto Varsity Blues have hit a cold streak. The blues have lost their last two games against the Gaels (37-33) and more recently the Carleton Ravens (29-19).

In their Last two games the blues have given up 66 points and turned the ball over four times. The Blues have allowed 665 passing yards, two passing touchdowns 443 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns.

On the season the Blues are surrendering a total of 514.6 yards a game and 32 points, second most in the province. Toronto allows the most rushing yards per game (220.4) and the third most passing yards per game (294.2). Toronto will have a touch matchup this weekend with McMaster, even with home field advantage.

Guelph Defence Holds Gee-Gees

The Gryphons squared off against the Ottawa Gee-Gees this weekend, a game that I had circled as a potential game of the week. The Gryphons on the other hand had no intentions of making this on close as they dominated in 33-6 win.

It was the Guelph defence that was especially dominate in the matchup. Holding the Gee-Gees to just six points is impressive in it own right, but the Gryphons defence was able to completely take the Ottawa offence out of the game. Guelph held Ottawa’s Ben Maracle to just 69 yards on 11 completions. Gee-Gees leading receiver Carter Matehson was held to just two receptions for only 22 yards. To add insult to injury the Gryphons secondary intercepted Maracle four times. The Gryphons front seven would add four sacks and seven tackles for a loss in the game. The Gryphons defence was the driving factor in the win over the Gee-Gees and demonstrated one of the most intimidating defensive units in the OUA.

Dion Pellerin Runs Through York

In a 57-19 rout over the York Lions, Waterloo Warriors running back, Dion Pellerin had himself an impressive day. Pellerin ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Pellerin’s longest run of the day was 49 yard touchdown as he broke an unruly number of tackles on his way to the end zone.

Pellerin is now second in the OUA in rushing yards and rushing yards per game. The Warriors ball carrier also leads the OUA in rushing touchdowns and leads all OUA running backs in yards per carry.

Ravens QB Throws Blues Second Straight Loss

In the 29-19 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues, a Tanner DeJong led Ravens team threw all over the Blues defence. DeJong threw for 23 completions on 32 attempts, hitting on 71% of his passes for 385 yards, second most of any quarterback in the OUA this week. When dropping back to pass DeJong averaged 16.7 yards per completion. DeJong also added 10 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Ravens in their win.

The fifth year quarterback is making his first appearance as the starter for the Ravens. In his first full season as the Ravens starter DeJong has competed 101 of his 152 passing attempts, throwing for 1573 yards seven touchdown and four interceptions on the season. DeJong has done a good job of being efficient with his passes and not throwing too many balls into bad situations.

Ben Ahren 100 Yard Return Touchdown

The Queen’s Gaels going into Saturday’s game were looking to spoil the Laurier homecoming. The Laurier Golden Hawks had other plans in mind, the game would end in a 52-16 rout in favour of the Hawks. The Gaels could not get anything going on either side of the ball throughout the game.

It took a special teams play with two minuted left in the first half for the Gaels to show any form of life. Gaels receiver, Ben Ahren reeled back to receive a Laurier kick off. Ahren took a few long strides upfield before planting a foot in the ground cutting hard left and leaving the Hawks defenders in the dust for a 100 yard touchdown return. Unfortunately the electric play wouldn’t provide enough of a spark to get the Gaels back into the game.

Laurier Golden Defence

The Laurier Golden Hawks defence looked incredibly impressive in their win over the Gaels on the weekend. The Hawks held the Gaels to just 209 yards total offence and only a 3.9 yard per play average. Additionally the Hawks forced the Gaels offence to punt 13 times.

The Hawks defence was able to get into the Gaels backfield for 5 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss. The defence forced 2 fumbles, both of which were recovered. Defensive back Will Amoah, who was an East-West Bowl participant, had himself a nice day with a 39 yard interception return all the way to the end zone. The Hawks defence was also able to block a field goal attempt and an extra point try. An impressive game from one of the best defensive units in the province.

Ternowski Finally Breaks Loose

Its been a tough season for Warriors receiver, Tyler Ternowski. Teams have been keying on him all season and he’s drawn an absurd amount of double coverage. Just a season ago Ternowski led not only the OUA, but the entire country with fourteen touchdowns and nearly 1200 receiving yards. Fast forward a year and Ternowski has just 425 receiving yards, four touchdowns and is averaging 85 yards a game. Almost 60 fewer years per game.

On Saturday Ternwoski was finally able to break lose in the Warriors win over the the Lions. Ternowski finished his day with 100 yards on six receptions, which included touchdown receptions of 28 and 46 yards. The physical talent of Ternowski is undeniable, the reduction in production is not a matter of Ternowski’s play its a matter of opposing defensive schemes being afraid to leave him alone in man coverage situations.

Gordon Goes Off Again

Levondre Gordon has been the best running back in the OUA this season, despite his teams record only being 2-3. This weekend the Gordon storyline was no different. Against a tough Gaels front seven Gordon carried the ball 15 times for 119 yards. The Laurier ball carrier averaged an eye-catching 7.9 yards per carry in the win. Gordon’s day was highlighted by a 52 yard run to gash the Gaels for a touchdown early in the game.

Gordon’s season total of 119 and 695 yards the best in all of USports and his 139 yard per game average is the most in the province. Gordon is a powerful back that runs hard and does not shy away from contact. He’s a smart runner with a great sense awareness when approaching the line of scrimmage, which is what has propelled him to be one of the best in the country.

Kian Shake and Baker

In a blowout win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees the Gryphons offence had a big day throwing the ball. Gryphons receiver, Kian Schaffer-Baker was a major contributor int he Guelph passing offence and rightfully so. Schaffer-Baker is a big target at 6’4” and is a smooth route runner who does a good job of operating from opposing DBs.

In the game against the Gee-Gees Schaffer-Baker was able to break free for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 receptions. Schaffer-Baker’s frame, skill, and route running make him an intriguing prospect and earned him a spot in the 2019 USports East-West Bowl.

Connor O'Neil is a former UOttawa Gee-Gee defensive back with a passion for Canadian Football and a desire to stay connected to the game.