Marauders defeat Gee-Gees in OUA quarter-final

OTTAWA - On a blustery day at Frank Clair Stadium in the nation's capital the No. 10 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders defeated the No. 8 Ottawa Gee Gees 27-15 in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football quarter-final on Saturday.

With McMaster trailing 15-14 with 10 minutes in the fourth quarter, McMaster running back Joey Nemet (Burlington, Ont.) busted a 29-yard run that set up his own four-yard rushing touchdown on the ensuing play to give McMaster a 20-15 lead and the eventual victory.

Nemet finished the game with 123 yards rushing on 19 carries and two touchdowns.

Ottawa quarterback Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.) amassed 342 yards in passing on 30-of-54 opportunities, including one touchdown and an interception. Sinopoli also rushed eight times for 66 yards for the Gee-Gees.

McMaster was two-for-two on third down opportunities in the game.

In the first quarter, McMaster executed a fake punt on third-and-four from the Ottawa 40-yard line that led to a McMaster touchdown five plays later.

In the second quarter, McMaster would convert a third-and-two opportunity, and two plays later would score their second touchdown of the afternoon.

McMaster quarterback, Kyle Quinlan (South Woodsley, Ont.) completed 11-of-22 passes for 180 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

McMaster running back Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.) led McMaster in receiving hauling in three passes for 114 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown reception with five minutes remaining in the game to seal the McMaster victory.

Ottawa receiver Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana) had nine receptions for 114 yards. Former Hamilton Hurricane Steven Hughes (Ottawa) added eight receptions for 93 yards.

The McMaster defence bent, but did not break forcing Ottawa to kick three field goals, two from the 15-yard line in the first half, limited the Gee-Gees to zero points in the third quarter, and a lone touchdown in the final quarter of play.

McMaster defensive back Andrew Surya (Burlington, Ont.) had seven tackles for McMaster. Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.) added four tackles and a interception that led to McMaster's first touchdown.

The Marauders had only four penalties for 21 yards on the day.

McMaster will now advance to the OUA semifinal for the first time since 2005. They will travel to Kingston next Saturday at 1 p.m. to face the No. 4 Queen's Gaels

Source: McMaster Marauders