Laurier pounds Western for another Yates Cup
Hawks’ OUA win streak reaches 20
WATERLOO— The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks dominated the Western Ontario Mustangs 2911 yesterday to claim their second straight Yates Cup.
Laurier extended its OUA unbeaten streak to an impressive 20 games before 5,915 fans at University Stadium.
“ The defence was outstanding and, when you’re prepared, you get the job done,” said Laurier coach Gary Jeffries.
“We’re successful right now. We’re proud of it and to play two brilliant playoff games and dominate says a great deal for the program.”
Neither team, however, can be proud of the combined 37 penalties they took for 301 yards, which ranks among one of the highest in the history of the Yates Cup. While Laurier’s bullish running back Nick Cameron again ran over his opponents, galloping for 167 yards on 27 carries and scoring touchdowns on runs of 55, three and nine yards, Laurier’s unheralded defensive squad talked about their finest game of the year. Check these statistics:
‰ Western quarterback Mike Faulds, who didn’t play in Laurier’s 32- 17 league win, was sacked five times;
‰ Five turnovers by the Mustangs compared to none for Laurier; ‰ A first half net rushing total of one yard for Western; ‰ Mustangs’ Hec Crighton nominee Andy Fantuz, regarded a first-round CFL draft pick, limited to a mere 75 yards on six catches — four on the last drive of the game.
“ We did a job on them, something they’ll remember for a while,” said Laurier defensive end David Montoya, a grad of Burlington’s Notre Dame High, who had two sacks.
“ It was punishing, they came here looking for an upset and they left getting a lesson in football. As happy as we are right now, the fun fades. We’re on a roll and have some unfinished business — two more wins.” Montoya was talking about a national championship, something Laurier won just once way back in 1991. To get there, the Golden Hawks will have to get by Acadia, 69- 6 winners over St. Francis Xavier in the Jewett Cup, in next Saturday’s Uteck Bowl in Halifax. The Churchill Bowl has the defending Vanier Cup champs from Laval, 19- 13 winners over Montreal in the Dunsmore Cup, playing Saskatchewan who rolled over Alberta 30- 17 for the Hardy Trophy.
“ Mistakes on each drive, it was frustrating,” said Faulds. “We have a sour taste after this. Their defence just kept blitzing us to death and the pressure got to us.” “We struggled to throw because we struggled to run,” said Western’s Larry Haylor, the winningest coach in Canadian university football. “ Turnovers hurt us big time but ( Laurier’s) defence played extremely well.”