Season Opener

McMASTER STIFLED BY HEAT AND VETERAN QUEEN'S TEAM IN SEASON OPENER

September 1, 2008

Kingston, ON - The young McMaster football team averaging 2.8 years experience in the starting lineup were defeated 35-11 by a vetern Queen's Golden Gaels team (averaging 3.5 years experience) on a hot and humid day (28 degrees - 31 degrees with the humidex) at Richardson Stadium.

The McMaster offense, with Ryan Fantham (London, ON) taking the snaps in place of the graduated Adam Archibald, could only generate 8 yards of total offense against the strong Queen's defense (ranked 5th in the CIS in 2007) in the first half versus Queen's 235 yards in net offense as the Marauders went into the locker room down 14-0.

In the third quarter, McMaster elected to insert third year quarterback, Steve Sparks (Hamilton, ON). After a rough start including a Tony Okorodudu (Hamilton, ON) fumble, and an interception, Sparks settled down to complete 13 of 18 passes for 168 yards, including orchestrating a 10 play, 68 yard drive capped by a 3 yard pass to Sean Fahey Mississaga, ON) playing in his first game with McMaster.

McMaster receiver Matthew Peressini (Hannon, ON) had four receptions for 66 yards and added 3 kickoff returns for 88 yards an average of 29.33 yards per kickoff return.

McMaster runningback, Joey Nemet (Burlington, ON) had 10 carries for 47 yards, while Tony Okorodudu (Hamilton, ON)
had 5 carries for 22 yards.

The McMaster defense was active all afternoon, showing more blitz packages than in the past 2 seasons under McMaster defensive oordinator, Greg Knox. McMaster defensive end, James Edwards had 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. McMaster linebacker, Simon Binder (Almonte, ON) had 3.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Fellow linebacker, Justin Vince (London, ON) had 3.5 tackles. Kurt Morrison (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) had 4 tackles and 1 interception for the Marauders.

Queen's had two touchdowns from Mike Giffin (Kinston, ON) who recorded 143 yards carrying the ball 18 times in his return to the Gaels after attending training camp with the Canadian Football League's, Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Giffin has rushed for over 100 yards for 11 consecutive games dating back to October 17, 2006.

Gaels Quarterback Danny Brannagan (Burlington, ON) tossed two touchdown passes for 288-yards, averaging over nine-yards per pass.

McMaster (0-1) will travel to Waterloo to play the Waterloo Warriors on their new Warrior field on Saturday September 6, 2008 at 1:00 P.M.

McMaster will celebrate the Grand Opening of Ron Joyce Stadium on Saturday September 13, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

Source: Robert S. Hilson, Manager of Marketing and Media Relations