WATERLOO, Ont. - While spirits were high for Homecoming festivities off the field on Saturday, the mood on the gridiron was more subdued for the Warriors. It was their worst loss of the season, as they fell 58-18 to the #9 Queen's Gaels.
More importantly, they lost their quarterback, Nick Orr (Caledon/), to injury for the second time this season, this time to a controversial hit to the head from Queen's linebacker Justin Pace. Pace, an OUA all-star in 2024, was ejected from the game. The hit came with seconds remaining in the second quarter, and the officials elected to call an early halftime break.
True freshman Emmet Ward (North Vancouver/) stepped in under centre for the Warriors and looked strong in his second taste of U SPORTS action, although the Gaels' dominant pass rush forced a few mistakes, including an interception.
In the end, an offensive explosion from Queen's running back Jared Chisari proved too much for a Waterloo defence that had kept some of the most explosive players in the OUA in check so far this season. The fourth-year back and two-time OUA all-star went off for 223 yards on just eight carries, three of which finished in the endzone.
Chisari set the tone early with an 80-yard touchdown on just the Gaels' second play of the game following a first-drive two-and-out from the Warriors. Queen's doubled their lead later in the first with a one-yard sneak from Anthony Lio. The score stood at 14-0 at the end of the quarter.
Evan Astolfo (Burlington/) broke the ice for Waterloo with a field goal early in the second quarter. Penalties hurt the Warriors' offensive momentum, and gave Queen's a big advantage in the field position game which yielded four points via a safety and two rouges in the frame.
Chisari's second major of the game was answered by Orr with his first rushing score of the season, set up by two big completions to Riley Webster (Waterloo/), who finished his first game back from a pre-season injury with five catches for 59 yards.
The score when halftime was called was 32-10 in favour of the Gaels.
The penalties to Pace resulted in an easy rouge for Astolfo to start the third, but Queen's responded with 19 straight points in the frame, capped off by a 105-yard run from Chisari to complete the hat trick, following a goal-line stand from the tricolour defence.
Ward began to find his groove in the fourth quarter, showing some good chemistry with third-year receiver Logan Heroux (Burlington/). Brandon Riggin finished off a 58-yard drive with a punch-in major – his first of the season – as time expired.
It's the third straight loos for Waterloo, who drop to 1-4 on the season. Queen's, meanwhile, moves above .500 as they improve to 3-2.
The Warriors will look to get back on track next week when they travel westward down the 401 to face the 2-2 Windsor Lancers on September 27 at 7:00 PM.
They'll be back at home for their senior game against the York Lions on October 4. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Warrior Field. Tickets are on sale now.
