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Dika-Balotoken (#26) leads No.2 Gaels over No. 6 Marauders with two interceptions for touchdowns in 31-24 win
Posted by: Shawn MacDonald (Sports Information Officer)

9/2/2013 7:12:00 PM
BOX SCORE

KINGSTON, Ont. - Yann Dika-Balotoken (Toronto) had two interceptions for touchdowns as the No.2 Gaels (2-0) topped the No.6 Marauders (1-1) 31-24 in their home opener in front of over 7,600 fans at Richardson Stadium on Monday afternoon. In the process the Gaels snapped the Marauders 19 game win streak against OUA opponents.

Dika-Balotoken blew the game open in the third quarter, returning a deflected Marauders pass 99 yards to score, and put the Gaels up big in the fourth quarter when he returned another errant pass 70 yards to the end zone.


Dika-Balatoken had 70 and 99 yard interceptions for touchdowns
After both teams struggled through a scoreless first quarter, the Gaels took an 11-7 lead into halftime thanks to a Doug Corby (Burlington, Ont.) fumble recovery in the endzone. The Gaels widened the margin in the second half, leading 31-10 early in the fourth quarter.

"On the second one the defensive line did a great job of rushing the quarterback," said Dika-Balatoken on his second interception for a touchdown. "Their quarterback was looking for someone to throw to and I made a play to get us in the end zone one more time."

Marauders' quarterback and Kingston native Marshall Ferguson threw for 446 yards, including two fourth quarter touchdown passes to make the game interesting and bring the Marauders to within one score 31-24.

McMaster failed to recover an onside kick however, and the Gaels shut down the Maruaders last-second lateral attempt to hold on for the win.

"Our defense was full-value, no question," said head coach Pat Sheahan after the game. "Every time we needed a stop they got one, they got great defensive pressure and great defensive back play and we converted the two turnovers for 14 points. It was a tough day offensively, there were two great defenses and ours was full-value."

Billy McPhee {#10} (Burlington, Ont.) threw for 114 yards and Jesse Andrews {#34} (Arnprior, Ont.) had nine rushes for 51 yards on the day. On defence the Gaels were led by Dika-Balotoken [#26) with his two interceptions for touchdowns along with Justin Baronaitis (#14)(Rexdale, Ont.) who led all players with 10.5 tackles.

McMaster was led by Keldyn Ahlstedt who had eight tackles on the day including one for a loss.

The Gaels snapped their five game losing streak against McMaster dating back to 2009 and now sit at 2-0 on the season while the Marauders settle in at 1-1. Prior to this game the Marauders last OUA loss came on September 10, 2011 (versus Western).

The 2-0 Gaels take on the 1-1 Windsor Lancers on Saturday at 1pm at Richardson Stadium while the Marauders hosts the Western Mustangs. Tickets are available online at www.gogaelsgo.com/tickets and the game can be seen live online just visit www.gogaelsgo.com/media for more information.