The York University Lions football team had a topsy turvy week last week. A day before their game at Carleton on Sept. 10, the Lions were informed the result from their previous game at McMaster had been overturned due to an eligibility violation. This gave the Lions the win over the Marauders.
They then played a solid three quarters against the Ravens. It was the 2nd quarter which did them in – a frame in which they allowed 28 points in a 45-14 loss.
This week, they are back on home turf to face the Laurier Golden Hawks. Laurier is 1-1 on the season, and coming off a hard-fought victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues
QUICK FACTS:
York:
- Noah Craney threw his first touchdown pass of the year vs. Carleton, a 4-yard connection with Isaiah Edwards late in the fourth quarter
- Jagger Horst is tied for the team lead in receptions with five.
- Quinton Douglas leads the Lions in kick return yards with 106 through three games.
- Jason Janvier-Messier is 2nd in the OUA in sacks with three
- The Lions do not have a defensive interception so far this season, one of just two teams without one thus far. The other is Laurier.
Laurier:
- Benn McAlpine leads the Golden Hawks in receiving touchdowns with a pair
- Ethan Jordan is tied for 3rd in the OUA in receptions with 13
- Jordan also leads the OUA in punt return average (16.3
- Patrick Burke Jr. is 8th in the OUA in kick return average (18.3)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
York:
#86 ALFRED OLAY… 2nd-year wide receiver… Ran back a missed field goal return for a touchdown, officially calculated as a 109-yard return… Had 270 total return yards vs. Carleton… Leads the Lions in most receiving categories, including receptions (5), yards (89) yards per game (44.5) and yards per reception (17.5)... Nominated for Lions male athlete of the week for week ending Sept. 11.
#28 MELCHIS ILUNGA… 1st-year running back… Has the only rushing touchdown of the season for the Lions, a 24-yard run vs. Waterloo… had 127 yards rushing on 24 carries vs. Carleton… Has stabilized a Lions backfield that has had trouble putting their offence in manageable 2nd-down situations.
#44 DAWSON DAVIS… 3rd-year linebacker… leads the Lions in tackles so far with 11… His 8 solo tackles also paces the York defence…
Laurier:
#13 TAYLOR ELGERSMA… 2nd-year quarterback… The heir apparent to longtime Laurier pivot Connor Carusello… Is 40-65 passing, a 61.5% completion percentage… Golden Hawks are 3rd in the OUA in pass yards per game at 223.0 yards a game through the air… Was held to just 188 yards passing against U of T.
#14 QUENTIN SCOTT… 2nd year running back… Leading the Laurier rushing attack with 153 yards on 20 carries…. Averaging 7.7 yards per attempt, good for 5th in the OUA…. Scored his first touchdown of the season vs. Toronto… Has filled in admirably so far for Kavantye Bailey, who graduated after last season
