Laurier opens with a rout
Golden Hawks blank Varsity Blues, but there’s some rust to shake off
WATERLOO — It was business as usual for the defending Yates Cup champions.
Wilfrid Laurier University’s football team kicked off the season with a dominating 39-0 victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Sunday afternoon at Knight-Newborough Field.
The Golden Hawks have now won six consecutive regular season home games over the past two seasons.
“Defensively I’m really proud about how we played,” said Laurier head coach Michael Faulds. “Offensively, we have to clean some things up.”
It was an unenviable draw for the Blues, who went 2-6 and finished tied for second last in the 11-team Ontario University Athletics last season.
But the visitors looked ready on their opening drive.
Pivot Connor Ennis made good on his first hand-off and pass to push the visitors up field and, for a brief moment, it looked like there was some hope.
But then Laurier defensive end Rashari Henry snuffed out the rush with a quarterback sack and the Blues never recovered.
U of T managed just seven first downs to Laurier’s 28 and couldn’t push the ball past half the entire game.
Despite the win, Laurier showed some early season rust.
Running back Osayi Iginuan’s punch in from first and goal in the opening quarter was the sole major in the first half.
The lack of touchdown dances meant kicker Nathan Mesher was busy.
The Waterloo native booted three field goals and the team added a safety for an 18-0 lead at the break.
“It was sloppy at times,” said Faulds. “You could tell it was our first game.”
Laurier got back on track in the second half.
Slotback Carson Ouellette looked like a human pinball as he eluded a handful of tackles and stayed on his feet to convert a 52-yard catch and run for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Veteran running back Levondre Gordon cashed in on a 13-yard run while rookie Kavantye Bailey added his first touchdown of his career in a dominant final 30 minutes for the home side.
Laurier quarterback Michael Knevel went 25-for-39 for 492 total yards and four touchdowns. Mesher finished with three field goals and four converts.
Special teams were huge for the Hawks with Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Ouellette combining for 206 yards on 11 punt returns. Gittens Jr. also had a 36-yard kickoff return but left in the fourth quarter with a leg cramp.
Luckily the Golden Hawks are heading into an off week.
“It’s a good time for the bye not only to get healthy but to also clean our game up,” said Faulds, noting that Gittens Jr. should be fine.
Toronto defensive back Damoy Robinson led both teams with 12 tackles.
Mesher only had five field goals all of last season for Laurier and was happy to be busy from the get-go.
“I’m not going to lie, I love the extra points because it means we’re scoring,” said the fourth year business major.
“It was a good, win but we still have lots of room for improvement.”
Laurier returns to action Sept. 9 when the team hosts the Carleton Ravens (1-0) at University Stadium at 7 p.m.