Caledonia’s Carusello leads Laurier to victory

OTTAWA — Connor Carusello completed 21 of 31 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks to a 37-31 win over the Carleton Ravens on Friday afternoon at MNP Park.

With the first-time starter from Caledonia leading the offence, the Golden Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 3-3 in Ontario University Athletics play with two regular-season games remaining. The Ravens, who trailed 23-17 at halftime, dropped to 4-3.

“We are really pleased with the way Connor performed in his first start. He was anxious and nervous to begin the game but he settled in as the game progressed,” said Laurier head coach Michael Faulds.

“You could really see his arm strength on display throughout the game with great throws on all four touchdowns he threw. I told him before the game, you have so many weapons around you, don’t try to do too much. Just get the ball from point A to point B and he did a phenomenal job at that.”

The Hawks trailed on four separate occasions during the back-and-forth affair until Carusello put the visitors ahead for good with seven minutes to play when he connected with rookie receiver Esson Hamilton for a 78-yard touchdown strike. Hamilton finished the day with three catches for 94 yards.

Brentyn Hall was Carusello’s favourite target, catching six passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. had six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown and Ente Eguavoen caught an 18-yard TD pass.

Laurier running back Levondre Gordon carried the ball 18 times for 68 yards and blocked a punt on special teams.

With a catch in the opening quarter, Gittens Jr. officially passed Laurier great Stefan Ptaszek for first on the Hawks’ alltime receptions list and now has 192 for his career.

Laurier defensive lineman Robbie Smith recorded six tackles, including a second-quarter sack that moved into second place on the school’s all-time list with 18.5.

Ravens QB Michael Arruda completed 21-of-34 passes for 373 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. Will Amoah and Malcolm Thompson recorded the picks for Laurier. Phil Iloki caught six passes for 142 yards and two TDs, and Quinton Soares hauled in a 16-yard TD reception.

Nathan Carter rushed 17 times for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Hawks return to Waterloo for their final regular-season home game as they host the Windsor Lancers on Friday at 11 a.m.