Boxscore

The Warriors returned to OUA action on Labour Day Monday against the offensive-powered Western Mustangs for an evening match in London. Despite falling by a score of 86-22, the Warriors battled to the bitter end showing their pride and commitment to the black and gold.

The 108 combined points are only three off the OUA record of 111 set on Oct. 12, 1974, when Ottawa defeated McGill 83-28.

Western's Lirim Hajrullahu (St. Catharines, Ont.) kicked 11 converts, one more than the former league record of 10 shared by four players including former Mustang Ray Macoritti (vs. Toronto; Sept. 18, 1987).

Mustangs erupted for 31 points in the first 9:31of the opening quarter. The defense forced a safety touch after only 1:11 of play and 72 seconds later, punter Darryl Wheeler (Hamilton, Ont.) kicked a 72 yard single.

Rookie Tyler Varga (Cambridge, Ont.) scored his first of three touchdowns on an exciting 39-yard run. Before the half ended Varga found the end zone again on runs of two and 15 yards as Mustangs stormed to a 38-0 lead early in the second quarter. Overall Varga carried six times for 80 yards in an impressive OUA debut.

Veteran running back Nathan Riva (LaSalle, Ont.) contributed two touchdowns on runs of four and 21 yards.

John Leckie (Milton, Ont.) added touchdown runs of 10 and 23 yards. He contributed 115 yards on 12 carries, as Mustangs amassed 499 yards in net rushing on 48 attempts.

Quarterback Donnie Marshall (London, Ont.) combined with younger brother Brian on two spectacular plays: the first a sideline-to-sideline scramble setting up a 28-yard completion and the second a 25-yard touchdown strike late in the second quarter.

Donnie Marshall finished with 14 completions in 24 pass attempts, good for 193 yards, while brother Brian had five catches for 78 yards.

Trailing 38-0, Waterloo's offense connected for three second-quarter touchdowns. Marco Visentin (Kentville/) put the Warriors on the scoreboard with a one-yard run set up by a 105-yard kickoff return by speedster Eric Roque (Sudbury/).

Waterloo quarterback Evan Martin (Kitchener/) connected with speedy receiver Dustin Zender (Kitchener/) on pass-and-run touchdowns of 35 and 80 yards. Martin completed 23 of 42 passes for 314 yards but was sacked three times. Zender led all receivers with seven catches, good for 188 yards.

In total the two teams combined for 47 points in the second quarter and the Mustangs went to the locker room sporting a 58-20 lead.

In the third quarter, Donnie Marshall continued his pinpoint passing, connecting with Oladipo Onayemi (Barrie, Ont.).

After Wheeler conceded a safety touch for Waterloo's final two points, the Mustangs defense went to work. Linebacker Sean Blake (Hamilton, Ont.) picked off an errant Martin pass and returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown. Garret Sanvido (Vancouver, B.C.) and Kody Campbell (Sarnia, Ont.) added the final touchdowns on 15-and-13-yard runs respectively early in the fourth quarter.

Lost amid all the offensive thunderbolts were several solid defensive performances on both teams. Blake and Waud led Mustang defenders with 5.5 and 5.0 tackles respectively and defensive end David Lee (London, Ont.) had three quarterback sacks.

Waterloo linebacker Corey Dawson (Cambridge/) led all players with eight solo and six assisted tackles followed by teammate Reid Nicholson (Grand Haven/) who contributed six solo tackles and four assists.

Next up for the Warriors is the re-opening of Warrior Field as Waterloo hosts the Guelph Gryphons as part of Black and Gold Day on Saturday, Sept. 10.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.