Photos from the OUA Quarter-final playoff game vs. the McMaster University Marauders at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, ON, October 28, 2006.

For the first time since rejoining the OUA in 2001, Queen's beat the McMaster Marauders, this time in the OUA quarter-finals, on McMaster's turf, 25-19. Falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Gaels kept pecking away at the McMaster lead, closing to 7-6, falling behind 17-6 at the half, and then outscoring the Marauders 19-0 in the second half, save a last second conceded safety to bring the final score to 25-19. That bears repeating: 25! - 19!!

Scoring for the Gaels were Ryan Elger with 3 field goals and 2 converts, and Mike Giffin who had 2 rushing TD's along with 75 yards on the ground. Danny Brannagan was good on 14 of 26 pass attempts for 171 yards, despite getting sacked 6 times. DL Osi Ukwuoma made one reception and it was a doozy, coming from Brad Smith off a fake field goal. Just at the beginning of the 4th quarter after a lengthy injury timeout for Mac, he took Smith's short pass and ran the ball 23 yards to the goal line, made a valiant effort to dive across the line, and wuz robbed by the officials. Robb Bagg had another all-round game with 5 receptions for 76 yards, the longest 51 yards, 4 punt returns for 52 yards including a 34 yarder, and 2 kick returns for 30 yards.

The D did a masterful job in this game though, holding Mac's QB Adam Archibald to 238 yards passing, 2 TD's but 3 INT's on 20 completions out of 35 attempts, and recovering 3 Marauder fumbles. Star RB Andre Sadeghian was held under 100 yards and no other running back gained as much as 16 yards. Ian Hazlett's return from a knee injury suffered early in the season was a big boost for the team. DJ Mulholland, Ross Corley, Matt Vickers, TJ Leeper, Mike Botting and Adam Ross all had 5 or more tackles. DJ Mulholland, Kirby Calvert and Jimmy Allin had the three Queen's picks, the last of which snuffed out any chance of a McMaster come-back. Although the Gaels were out-offenced 368-274 in yards, they held the advantage in time of possession by far, holding Mac to under 22 minutes.

Now it's on to Ottawa on October 28th, where the Gaels will play the Ottawa Gee Gees in the OUA Semi-final. Game time is 1:00pm. Ticket info at: http://www.geegees.uottawa.ca/news/VConten.asp?lang=EN&articleid=285 The QFC is organizing a pre-game party at the Barley Mow, 1060 Bank Street, just over the bridge two blocks south of Lansdowne. Start time 11:00am. See you there.

All photos are Copyright (c) Jeff Chan 2006, but may be used for personal non-commercial use, or by Queen's University or the Vanier Cup with appropriate photo credit, unless otherwise authorized.