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10/22/2011 10:08:00 AM
KINGSTON, Ont. (October 22, 2011) - In what was the final regular season game for both teams, the Queen's Gaels extended their win streak to six games as they took on the undefeated No. 1 Western Mustangs. 5815 fans packed their way into Richardson Stadium to give support as the Gaels finished their season on a high note.

The win was the first time since 1973 that the Western Mustangs have been held scoreless and the first time since 1966 that the Gaels shutout their rivals from London. It was the Gaels' first win over a number one nationally ranked opponent since the 2009 Mitchell Bowl, when they defeated the Laval Rouge-et-Or at home. The win also marks the first time in Gaels history that they defeated a number one team without being nationally ranked.

The Gaels opened the scoring early in the first quarter as Ryan Granberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. ran 88 yards for the first touchdown, putting the Gaels up 7-0 after Dan Village of Abbotsford, B.C. got the extra point.

John Miniaci of Toronto forced a fumble that put the Gaels offense within striking distance. Village kicked a 24 yard field goal through the uprights, putting the Gael lead at 10-0.

Alex Carroll of Victoria, B.C. returned a punt 55 yards to put Village within field goal range once again. He then converted once more for three points, making the score 13-0 Queen's.

The Mustangs conceded a safety as time ran out in the first quarter to make it 15-0 Gaels.

Village's third field goal of the game from the 17 yard line was the only score in the second quarter, putting the Gaels lead at 18-0.

The Gaels opened their scoring in the third quarter with a 14 yard field goal, putting the Gaels up 21-0.

Sam Sabourin of Stittsville, Ont. cut down James Sifakis of Montreal with a staggering hit, creating a fumble which Joshua Sultana of Etibicoke, Ont. scooped up and carried into the endzone for the second touchdown of the game. This costly turnover by Western gave the Gaels a 28-0 lead.

Ryan Mitchell of Toronto, Ont. came into the game in the fourth quarter to replace Billy McPhee of Burlington, Ont. and immediately connected with Giovanni Aprile of Toronto with a 30 yard strike. In the resulting play, Village kicked the ball through the end zone for the single point. The single point made the score 29-0 Gaels early in the fourth quarter.

Village kicked another ball through the endzone for another single point late in the fourth quarter, making it 30-0 Gaels.

With 1:09 left in the game, Craig Rushon of Sault Ste Marie, Ont. burst through the tired Mustang's defensive line and into the endzone to seal the Mustang's fate once and for all, 37-0 Gaels.

Ryan Granberg became the second player in Gaels history to pass the 1,000 yard mark in a season as his 197 yards gave him 1,068 to finish the season which is the second highest total in Gaels history behind Mike Giffin's 2007 season. Granberg accomplished this feat despite missing the Gaels game against the Toronto Varsity Blues. This is only the third time in Gaels history that a back has rushed for 1,000 yards as Giffin also rushed for over 1,000 yards in the Gaels 2008 campaign.

With the win, the Gaels finish their season without allowing a rushing touchdown in eight games which sets a team record for fewest touchdowns allowed in a season. The Gaels also held the Mustangs, the top rushing team in the OUA, to 153 yards which puts their season total at 538 yards rushing against. The total is a team record for fewest rushing yards against in an eight game season.

The Gaels now look to continue their winning streak in the postseason with continued momentum and confidence when they return to action in next weekend's OUA quarter-final game against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at Richardson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.