OUA Football - Queens Gaels vs Western Mustangs

This local sports report is brought to you by the Inn of Waterloo and Conference Centre. Check us out for all your conference, event and guest room requirements for any of your out-of-town fans. Let us be part of your home team. We are here to exceed your expectations. Book now by calling 519-804-1130 or visit theinnofwaterloo.com It was some Monday night football on Labor Day with an OUA rivalry game taking place in the Forest City. The Queens Gales, who dropped their first game of the season against Carleton, visited the defending Yates Cup champion Western Mustangs for the TD Stadium home opener. Western won their season opener last week against Laurier and haven't lost a regular season game since week 2 of 2016. In front of a raucous home crowd full of students, the Mustangs gave them something to cheer about on the opening kickoff. Mark Leggio's kick makes it to the end zone where the returner can't get out because Max Nixon comes storming in for a huge hit, giving the Mustangs the single point to take a 1-0 lead. The Gales did settle down though on their opening possession. Quarterback James Keenan is going to keep it himself on this play and take it 15 yards for a much needed first down. Queens finish the drive with a Nate Liberatore field goal to take a 3-1 lead. Mustangs first possession now, and why not open the drive with a long ball? Chris Merchant airs it out for Brett Ellermann who hauls it in, switching the field for Western. That leads to a 37-yard field goal from Mark Leggio who knocks it through, giving the Mustangs the lead again. Gales' offense back on the field now, but the Mustangs' defense sniffing out the screen pass, downing the runner behind the line for a loss. Mustangs get the ball back and they're right on the doorstep. Merchant is going to look end zone and he finds Trey Humes for an 11-yard hookup. The Mustangs' first touchdown at TD Stadium this season sends the crowd into a frenzy. Gales looking to take back some momentum, but Austin Fordham-Miller is going to wrap up the runner before he's able to take off. That forces Queens to take a safety, making it a 13-3 ball game. Gales' next possession, the pocket collapses around James Keenan and he's eventually brought down by a plethora of purple jerseys. At second and long now, Queens looks to throw, but it gets intercepted. Bleska Kambamba showing why he was an OUA first-team all-star last year, returning it 20 yards for a pick six. The Mustangs' defense blowing the game open and we're still in the first quarter. Keenan and the Gales trying to get back into it and the QB takes it himself. A whirling dervish of moves is able to get enough for a first down. Second quarter now, Merchant gets flushed from the pocket and he tries to throw while on the run, but the Gales with a huge interception, Oliver McKenzie able to snag it as he falls out of bounds. That gives Queens great field position where Tristan Kutcher is given the ball. He bounces off a couple of tackles and legs it into the end zone for the first Gales TD of the game. They cut the lead in half, 20-10. But how about this response for the Mustangs? They start in their own territory. Merchant goes over the middle to Savon Magne-Jones, first down. Then Jonathan Femi-Cole powers his way right up the gut, chains move again. Malik Besiger then opened downfield and Merchant finds him. A 48-yard touchdown catch caps off a drive that needed just four plays. Mustangs restore their lead. Gales trying to get something going before the half, but Deontay Knight has other plans, wrapping up the quarterback for a sack. Queens defense showing some poise though. Cameron Lawson breaks through the line to wrap up Merchant for a sack. That same drive though, Merchant with a quick pass to Justin Nixon, who gets taken down just short of the goal line. That leads to this four-yard TD run by Merchant to finish off the drive, giving the Mustangs a 24-point lead at half. They wouldn't look back as they impress their fans in the home opener, moving to 2-0 on the season.